The newest and most technologically advanced aircraft carrier design in 40 years, Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), is set to be commissioned by the U.S. Navy on Saturday, July 22, 2017. When it does, there will be Liquid Oxygen Production Systems on the ship manufactured by RIX Industries. The commissioning of a ship is a grand ceremony culminating with raising the commissioning pennant to the masthead and for all purposes of law and tradition, the ship then becomes a United States Ship (USS) of the line. RIX Industries
Ford’s commissioning marks the accomplishment of years of construction and design and countless hours of work. RIX Industries and its dedicated workforce of talented men and women are part of the industrial base that supplies parts and services to Newport News Shipbuilding, the builder of the ship.
Last month, the Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers, Rear Admiral Brian Antonio said, “Over the last several years, thousands of people have had a hand in delivering Ford to the Navy — designing, building and testing the Navy’s newest, most capable, most advanced warship. Without a doubt, we would not be here without the hard work and dedication of those from the program office, our engineering teams and those who performed and oversaw construction of this incredible warship.”
“Our company is proud of the significant contribution that RIX Industries makes to U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and the continued protection of the United States,” says Terry Reagan Allvord, USN Retired and Director of Business Development at RIX Industries.
Last year, the U.S. Navy testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Seapower Subcommittee about the ship, “The Ford-class design improves war fighting capability, survivability, operational availability, and quality of life for sailors, while reducing total billets, including ship’s crew and air wing, by nearly 1,200 personnel and decreasing total ownership costs by approximately 4 billion per ship.”
Ford will continue the legacy of air power from the sea as the cornerstone of U.S. military supremacy around the globe.
More information on Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78): http://www.thefordclass.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/USSGeraldRFord
