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CVN 77 Design Improves Maintenance, Safety for Sailors

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060522-06
Release Date: 5/22/2006 2:47:00 PM

By Journalist 2nd Class Maja A. Dyson, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- The 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, PCU George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), is currently under construction at Northrup Grumman Newport News Shipyard in Newport News, Va.

Bush will carry design changes to better improve quality of life aboard the ship, including several which are giving Bush a look different than any other Nimitz-class before it.

“There are two prominent changes distinguished between USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and CVN 77,” said Mike Smith, Bush design manager. “Those two changes are the bulbous bow on the front of the ship, which is used to help raise the front and make it more buoyant, and the island structure.”

Along with the primary changes between Reagan and Bush, there are many other changes being built into Bush that are also different from the other nine Nimitz-class carriers.

“The main mast has changed,” said Smith. “It is now a square mast.”

Smith said within the ship, the JP-5 fuel distribution system was redesigned.

“Within the ship, we redesigned the JP-5 fuel system,” said Smith. “It was a copper nickel system, but is now a stainless steel system which helps keep fuel cleaner. Other changes include the sanitation systems.”

“The sanitation system was a gravity system. It is now a vacuum system, which is used on cruise ships and other Navy vessels," Smith added. "This uses fresh water instead of sea water, which allows the system not to corrode as badly and as quickly. The piping system is also smaller aboard.”

Smith added that the machinery areas aboard carriers used to have 12 store conveyors, but now one has been deleted and four others have been changed into two store elevators that can move from the main deck down to the lower decks on the ship in the midship areas.

“There is a technology insertion,” said Smith. “We want to use the latest and greatest equipment to support the ship and its crew. A lot of these changes will help make maintenance and conveyors easier and safer for the Sailors to use.”

Smith said all these changes will help reduce manning aboard the ship.

“Having an integrated network on board that monitors more items, such as ventilation fan controllers and JP-5 valves, so that these things can be operated from a central location, will help reduce manual watches for the Sailors,” said Smith.

Bush is expected to be completed November 2008.