USS George H.W. Bush
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History | |
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Name | USS George H.W. Bush |
Namesake | George H. W. Bush |
Ordered | 26 January 2001 |
Awarded | 26 January 2001 |
Builder | Northrop Grumman Newport News[1] |
Cost | $6.2 billion[2] |
Laid down | 6 September 2003[1] |
Sponsored by | Dorothy Bush Koch[1] |
Christened | 9 October 2006[1] |
Launched | 9 October 2006 |
Commissioned | 10 January 2009[3] |
Homeport | Norfolk, Virginia |
Motto | Freedom at Work |
Nickname(s) | Avenger |
Status | in active service[3] |
Badge | ![]() |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Nimitz-class aircraft carrier |
Displacement | Template:Nimitz class aircraft carrier displacement |
Length |
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Beam |
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Draft |
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Propulsion |
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Speed | 30+ knots (56+ km/h; 35+ mph)[6] |
Range | Unlimited distance; 20–25 years |
Complement |
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Sensors and processing systems |
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Electronic warfare & decoys |
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Armament | list error: <br /> list (help) 2 × Mk 29 ESSM launcher 2 × RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile |
Armor | Unknown |
Aircraft carried | 90 fixed wing and helicopters |
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is the tenth and final Nimitz class supercarrier of the United States Navy.[1] She is named for the 41st President of the United States George H. W. Bush, who was a naval aviator during World War II. Bush's callsign is Avenger, after the TBM Avenger aircraft flown by then-Lieutenant George Bush in WWII. Construction began in 2001 by the Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard, at a cost of $6.2 billion [2] and was completed in 2009. She is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.
Ship's seal
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/CVN-77_insignia.png/200px-CVN-77_insignia.png)
Each element of the seal is significant for its relevance to the ship’s namesake, naval aviation, naval service, and the nation. There are six prominent features of the seal, beginning with the 41 white stars, symbolizing the ship’s namesake (the 41st President). The rays of light that appear on the seal’s horizon represent Bush’s concept of a "thousand points of light", wherein he urged Americans to find meaning and reward by serving a purpose higher than themselves, The graphic depiction of the aircraft carrier reflects the carrier as both a symbol and instrument of American strength as “a force for good.” Above the carrier are overhead profiles of a TBM Avenger torpedo bomber (representing Bush’s days as a Navy pilot), an FA-18 Hornet strike fighter, and an F-35 Lightning II.[7]
Fouled anchors and shields, centered on naval aviators wings, honor the ship’s namesake’s aviation history. Finally, the motto “Freedom at Work” is adapted from Bush’s inaugural speech, during which he said, “We know what works: Freedom works. We know what’s right: Freedom is right.”[7]
Description
- Section ref: Global[8]
Bush stretches 1,092 feet and weighs 97,000 tons, making it the world’s largest warship. Its top speed exceeds 30 knots and powered with two nuclear reactors, it will operate for more than 20 years without refueling. Several features differentiate CVN-77 from other ships in the Nimitz class.[9]
Hull
New hull design features[10] include a new propeller design, a new bulbous bow design that provides more buoyancy to the forward end of the ship and improves hull efficiency, curved flight deck edges to reduce radar signature, a new underwater hull-coating system, deck covering modernized to reduce ship weight by 100 tons, low Solar Absorptive and Anti-Stain Paint, and a redesigned hangar bay that has less clutter.
Island
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/USS_George_H._W._Bush_%28CVN-77%29_island_landing.jpg/220px-USS_George_H._W._Bush_%28CVN-77%29_island_landing.jpg)
Bush is the second carrier to have a modernized island, which includes a new radar tower (enclosed to reduce radar signature), navigation system upgrades, communication systems enhancements, and transparent armor windows. The island is smaller to improve flight deck access and reduce signature and electronic self-interference.
Air operations
New air operations design features include an updated aviation-fuel storage and distribution system, semi-automated refueling and servicing with new deck locations to provide faster, more efficient aircraft pit stops, requiring fewer people, modernized aircraft launch and recovery equipment, and redesigned jet blast deflectors.
Environmental
Environmental upgrades have also been designed into the ship, including a Vacuum Collection / Marine Sanitation Device (VC/MSD), a new marine sewage system that uses fresh water in lieu of sea water for lower maintenance costs. Most ships in the U.S. Navy utilize a Collection Holding and Transfer (CHT) system to handle sewage waste. Several ships add a vacuum collection capacity or VCHT. Septic systems, when used aboard ships, are referred to as Marine Sanitation Devices, often used in U.S. Coast Guard ships. Bush is the first and only aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy to combine the two technologies.
Electronics and communications
New electronics and communications technology, space rearrangement, operational procedure changes, advanced sensor technologies and maintenance systems have been incorporated to reduce manning costs. A new zonal electrical distribution system will keep problems from affecting other parts of the ship. Automated material movement devices, semi-autonomous, gravity compensated weapons handling devices, damage control automation systems and components have also been installed. Medical and dental equipment have been upgraded, integrated display screens in Damage Control Central have been modernized to improve data integration and display, and equipment in general shops has been modernized to improve productivity.
Namesake
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/George_H.W._Bush_seated_in_a_Grumman_TBM_Avenger%2C_circa_1944_%28H069-13%29.jpg/220px-George_H.W._Bush_seated_in_a_Grumman_TBM_Avenger%2C_circa_1944_%28H069-13%29.jpg)
At age 18, George H. W. Bush became the Navy's youngest pilot when he received his Naval Aviator wings and naval commission. He flew torpedo bombers off the USS San Jacinto on active duty from August 1942 to September 1945 during World War II. On September 2, 1944, during a mission over the Pacific, Japanese anti-aircraft fire hit his plane. The Navy submarine, USS Finback, rescued him. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals for courageous service in the Pacific Theater. USS George H.W. Bush is the second United States aircraft carrier to be named after a naval aviator (Forrestal was the first) and the second, following Ronald Reagan, to be named after a living former President (Reagan was christened in 2001 while President Reagan was still living).
Ship's history
The contract to build CVN-77 was awarded to Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Newport News on January 26, 2001. A naming ceremony was held on December 9, 2002 at the Pentagon, with Former President George H.W. Bush attending. The Honorable Gordon England, Secretary of the Navy, presided at a ceremony.
Construction
The Keel Laying ceremony was on September 6, 2003, with Former President George H. W. Bush serving as the keynote speaker. Former First Lady Barbara Bush also attended with their daughter, Dorothy Bush Koch, the ship's sponsor. The former President authenticated the keel by chalking his initials onto a metal plate. His initials were then welded onto the plate, which was permanently affixed to the ship.
The ship was modularly constructed, where large sections are assembled and then lifted into place using a large crane. Major milestones in the construction include the bow placement in March 2005, followed by the Island placement on July 8, 2006. The 700-ton island was lifted onto the flight deck in a ceremony called “stepping the mast,” which dates from antiquity and consists of placing coins or other items of significance under the step or bottom of a ship’s mast during construction.
Since at least the construction of USS Constitution in the 1790s, this tradition has been passed on as a symbol of good luck for U.S. Navy ships. George H. W. Bush participated in the event, placing his naval aviator wings underneath the island during the ceremony.
George H. W. Bush was christened on October 7, 2006. [1] Former President George H. W. Bush attended the ceremony and became the first president in history to participate in the christening of his namesake ship. President George W. Bush also attended and honored his father during the ceremony as a special guest speaker. Other officials participating in the ceremony included Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter; Virginia Senators John Warner and George Allen, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Mullen.
Other construction milestones included catapult system testing on the ship's flight deck on Jan. 25, 2008. Former President George H.W. Bush signaled the launch of two "dead loads" off the deck of the carrier. Dead loads are large, wheeled, steel vessels weighing up to 80,000 pounds, simulating the weight of actual aircraft.[11][12]
On Aug. 11, 2008, the Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) crew moved aboard the ship, the first meals served in the galley, the U.S. flag was raised on fantail for the first time, and the first watches were set.[13]
Bush left Northrop Grumman Ship Building for the first time on 23 December 2008, proceeding a few miles down river to Norfolk Naval Station.
Commissioning
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/USS_George_H._W._Bush_2.jpg/220px-USS_George_H._W._Bush_2.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/USS_George_H._W._Bush_4.jpg/220px-USS_George_H._W._Bush_4.jpg)
USS George H.W. Bush was commissioned 10 January 2009 at Norfolk Naval Station[14] prior to her official delivery to the Navy. 15,000 people attended, including veterans of the USS San Jacinto, the ship George Bush served on during WWII. President George W. Bush delivered the principal address, George H. W. Bush set the first watch, and ship's sponsor Dorothy "Doro" Bush Koch gave the order to "man our ship and bring her to life!" A Grumman TBM Avenger like the one then-Lieutenant junior grade George Bush flew in WWII performed a fly-over. Northrop Grumman Corporation Builder's sea trials were completed on Feb. 16, 2009, providing an opportunity to test systems, components and compartments at sea for the first time. The trials included high-speed runs and a demonstration of the carrier's other capabilities.[15] Following builder's trials, the ship underwent acceptance trials on 10 April 2009[16], conducted by representatives of the U.S. Navy Board of Inspection and Survey, to test and evaluate the ship's systems and performance.
Delivery and shakedown
Bush was officially delivered to the Navy on May 11, 2009.[17]
The first fixed-wing flights were conducted on May 19, 2009 when F/A-18 Super Hornets from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland began flight deck certification, which tests a carriers ability to conduct Modern US Navy carrier air operations. [18] [19] On May 26, 2009, Former President George H.W. Bush and his daughter, Doro Bush Koch, flew aboard the carrier to observe flight operations during the ship's underway period in the Atlantic Ocean. USS George H.W. Bush successfully completed her first flight deck certification on that day.[20] George H. W. Bush returned to Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard on June 18, 2009 for post-delivery maintenance work, also known as the ship's post shakedown availability (PSA). A PSA is a typical availability in the early life of a carrier that allows the Navy and builder to resolve any items that came up during trials and delivery and make any last-minute changes and upgrades. Work includes the installation of a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) handling system and a new fresh water purification system. Other changes include compartment reconfigurations, combat system and radar equipment upgrades, and minor repairs. The work is scheduled to last through early 2010.[21]
Commanding Officers
References
- ^ a b "Ready or not, Navy to get carrier" Googlesightseeing.com
- ^ a b "Aircraft Carrier Named the USS George H.W. Bush Commissioned". Fox News. 2009-01-10. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- ^ Kuperman, Alan; von Hippel, Frank (10 April 2020). "US Study of Reactor and Fuel Types to Enable Naval Reactors to Shift from HEU Fuel". International Panel on Fissile Materials. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- ^ Hanlon, Brendan Patrick (19 May 2015). Validation of the Use of Low Enriched Uranium as a Replacement for Highly Enriched Uranium in US Submarine Reactors (PDF) (MSc). Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- ^ Gibbons, Tony (2001). The Encyclopedia of Ships. London, United Kingdom: Amber Books. p. 444. ISBN 978-1-905704-43-9.
- ^ Global Security: Features of CVN 77 Concept Design
- ^ "Design Enhancements". Retrieved 2009-07-03.
- ^ Northrop Grumman Press Release, May 11, 2009
- ^ http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/news/2008/012508.html
- ^ http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34587
- ^ http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=39065
- ^ Jones, Matthew (2009-01-10). "Carrier awaits a call to come to life in ceremony today". The Virginian Pilot. Landmark Communications. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- ^ http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=159708
- ^ "Navy's Newest Carrier Successfully Completes Acceptance Sea Trials". United States Navy. 2009-04-09. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
- ^ Navy Takes Delivery of Aircraft Carrier George H.W. Bush
- ^ US Navy: First Flight on CVN-77
- ^ UScarrier.net May 19, 2009 News
- ^ http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=45793
- ^ http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=167577
- ^ http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=42726
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official Navy homepage for CVN-77
- CVN-77 News page on U.S. Navy website
- Shipyard: CVN 77 section of the Northrop Grumman Newport News site
- Crew: The Navy's Pre-Commissioning Unit for CVN 77
- Global Security's entry for CVN 77
- 1998 Article "Front Loading the CVN 77..." which analyzes how the DoD's changes to initial funding affect long range savings in procurement
- A video on how the CVN-77 was made.
- USS George H.W. Bush history at U.S. Carriers
- CSPAN video of the Ship's Commissioning Ceremony