6 | 21 | 2021
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
U.S. Navy photo
Ford Completes First FullShip Shock Trial Event
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) successfully completed the first scheduled explosive event as part of full-ship shock trials Friday, June 18. The first-in-class aircraft carrier was designed using advanced computer modeling methods, testing and analysis to ensure the ship is hardened to withstand battle conditions. These shock trials provide data used in validating the shock hardness of the ship. The Navy has conducted full-ship shock trials over several decades, most recently for littoral combat ships USS Jackson (LCS 6) and USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) in 2016. The last aircraft carrier to execute full-ship shock trials was USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in 1987. Ford’s shock trials are being conducted off the East Coast, within a narrow schedule that complies with environmental mitigation requirements, respecting known migration patterns of marine life in the test area. The Navy also has employed extensive protocols throughout full-ship shock trials to ensure the safety of military and civilian personnel participating in the testing evolution. Ford closed out a successful 18-month post-delivery test and trials period in April, during which the crew completed all required testing, accomplished planned improvements and maintenance ahead of schedule, and learned valuable lessons to increase the reliability of... CONTINUED ON PG 2
Nominees Announced
NNS Announces Leadership Changes Jason Sutton, who previously served as program director for Steel Fabrication and Assembly (SFA), has been promoted to vice president and chief information officer for Newport News Shipbuilding. It was one of several leadership changes NNS President Jennifer Boykin announced last week. Jason Sutton
Brian Fields, who previously served as vice president of Business Transformation (iDS) and chief information officer, has been named vice president of Enterprise (CVN 80) and Doris Miller (CVN 81). Lucas Hicks, who previously served as vice president of New Construction Aircraft Carrier Programs, has been named vice president of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and John F. Kennedy (CVN 79).
This year’s nominees for the Model of Excellence, Newport News Shipbuilding’s highest honor, have been announced. The award recognizes individuals and teams for their performance and accomplishments in five categories that align with the NNSFORWARD Strategy. See the insert for the list of nominees.