Neel Mehta
U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has visited Huntington Ingalls Industries‘ Newport News facility to carry out a tour of the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.
HII said Thursday Newport News Shipbuilding president division Matt Mulherin and Ford Commanding Officer Capt. Richard McCormack officiated the tour for Mabus.
Mabus recognized efforts by the Navy and U.S. Marine Corps over the last seven years in partnerships and programs related to energy, shipbuilding and personnel.
He also addressed shipbuilders and sailors involved in the construction of the ship.
“Under the secretary’s leadership, greater priority has been placed on shipbuilding contracts, which helps us maximize learning curve efficiencies in ship construction and provides stability to our industrial base,†Mulherin said.
HII says Ford is 99-percent complete on construction and less than 10 percent of the ship’s overall testing program remains.
