U.S. Navy, the scandal broke out of the aircraft carrier Ford: "probability of less than 7% to bring four days of combat-term"

(Franco Iacch)
07/22/16

http://www.difesaonline.it/mondo-militare/us-navy-scoppia-lo-scandalo-delle-portaerei-ford-probabilit%C3%A0-inferiore-al-7-di

After two years of delays and 13 billion dollars, almost three times of a Nimitz, can not go into battle. This is the situation of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the most costly war ship ever built.

The leader of the Ford class, according to a signed report by Michael Gilmore, director of operational test and responsible for evaluation of weapons systems for the Department of Defense, complained "poor or unknown reliability problems."

The report, delivered to the Pentagon, points the finger at the project leader of the Ford class. Gilmore writes: "Four of the major systems affecting flight operations. Unless these problems are not resolved, redesigning delivery systems of the aircraft, the CVN-78 carrier has limited combat capability ".

For the first three of the Ford class carriers, the United States will spend $ 42 billion. The Navy announced last week that the ship, which was supposed to come into service in September 2014, will not be delivered until next November this year due to "problems not specified."

Gilmore continues: "On the basis of current estimates, it is unlikely that the CVN-78 can lead to high-intensity air operations for more than 24 hours, compared with the pre-requisite of four days. My concerns about the reliability of these systems remain and the problems remain unresolved. "

According to the U.S. Navy, the ship's construction is complete at 98 percent while the on-board tests have been completed for 89%. The first operational deployment of Ford remains fixed at 2021, with sea trials in 2018. There is not long enough, therefore, to correct the deficiencies before the potential combat operations.

And yet - he adds Gilmore - the problems are fundamental to the success of the ship.

The central part of the Gilmore ratio is based on the launch system and the Ford arrest, reveals that "insufficient reliability." "The arresting gear presents the most serious limitations and is unlikely to support flight operations at high intensity. The reliability of 24 arrests among critics launches, is well below expectations and the minimum requirement to be successful in combat. The electromagnetic launch system is more reliable, but still arouses concerns. Recent data indicate that the carrier can carry 400 launches between critical failures. Unfortunately, well below the requirement of 4,166 take-offs ".

According to Gilmore, "to have a probability of 90 percent to complete 24 hours of continuous operation, the system should be ensured in 1600 tosses between critical failures."

To date, the USS Gerald R. Ford has a probability of less than 7% to complete four days of fighting.

"The reliability of the dual-band radar Raytheon Co. used for air traffic control and for self-defense against aircraft and missiles is unknown. The tests are still based on a software under development and some hardware reliability problems have emerged. Despite the failure rates have fallen, the radar will not be fully tested until the ship is at sea. "

Ford is designed to have 11 lifts used to move weapons and equipment. "Their reliability is unknown and it is a risk."

The construction of the Ford began in November of 2007: it will be the leader of the new class of carriers. Among the improvements introduced, a new nuclear plant, redesigned island, electromagnetic catapults, weapons system optimized and a new flight deck. According to the specifications, the Gerald R. Ford class should be able to launch 220 planes a day, at the rate of one every six minutes.

In 2013, the ship cost was estimated at $ 12.8 billion, 22 percent more than planned in 2008. Others 4.7 billion were spent also in research and development. In 2013, the Government Accountability Office complained "unreliability in the ship's main systems that will be solved only years after the entry into service of the first unit. This will limit the effectiveness of the ship during the initial distributions and probably increase the costs. "

The other two units of the Ford class, the USS John F. Kennedy and the new USS Enterprise (the USA they will always at sea), should be commissioned respectively in 2020 and in 2025.

The total cost for the first three ships, on the ten planned, is estimated at $ 43 billion. The class Ford should be completed with a little less less spending of 120 billion dollars.

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IZAKOVIC