HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES TO HOST FIRST-CUT-OF-STEEL EVENT FOR AIRCRAFT CARRIER ENTERPRISE (CVN 80) AT NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Aug. 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



What:

HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division will hold a ceremonial first-cut-of-steel event to kick off construction of the new aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN 80), the third ship of the Gerald R. Ford class. The ceremony is one of the very first construction milestones in the life of a ship.







When:

Thursday, Aug. 24

2:30 p.m. EDT

Media should arrive no later than 1:40 p.m.







Who:

Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky, the ship’s sponsors, will participate in the event, along with shipbuilders, members of the U.S. Navy and local officials.







Where:

Media parking will be reserved at 4215 Marshall Ave. in Newport News, Virginia. Please board The Apprentice School bus, which will be for media only. Media must arrive no later than 1:40 p.m. EDT to participate. Transportation into the shipyard will be provided.







RSVP:

Please RSVP by noon on Wednesday, Aug. 23. You must present a photo ID and be a U.S. citizen to be admitted to the event. Please RSVP to:


(757) 380-3581

Christine.Miller@hii-co.com








CVN 80 will be the third Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier. Designed to replace Nimitz-class carriers, the Ford class features a new nuclear power plant, a redesigned island, electromagnetic catapults, improved weapons movement, an enhanced flight deck capable of increased aircraft sortie rates, and growth margin for future technologies. Each Ford-class ship will operate with a smaller crew than a Nimitz-class carrier and will provide $4 billion in total ownership cost savings for the Navy. Aircraft carriers provide sovereign, mobile U.S. territory and are a visible symbol of U.S. power. They are the centerpiece of our nation’s security strategy and support and protect the global economy through the protection of sea lanes around the world.