Newport New, VA – The U.S. Navy’s brand-new $12.9 billion aircraft carrier is headed back to a Virginia shipbuilding yard after problems were discovered during sea trials.
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Billed as a next-generation warship, the USS Gerald R. Ford already needs upgrades and fixes.
The Daily Press cites an email from Naval Sea Systems Command Bill Couch that says a propulsion-related issue was discovered in January as the warship left Naval Station Norfolk. Couch says the Navy and Newport News Shipbuilding are evaluating a potential claim against a manufacturer they didn’t identify.
The ship is scheduled to arrive at Newport News in mid-July for the correction of remaining problems and installation of combat systems. It’s expected to remain there for about a year.
That’s why they’re called sea TRIALS.
“problems were discovered during sea trials”
Well,duh. That’s what sea trials are for: discover problems early and fix them.