The United States Navy has recently achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the final weapons elevator on the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. The final elevator was handed over to the crew on December 22, 2021, marking the completion of the advanced weapons elevators on the vessel. These elevators are an essential component of the carrier’s infrastructure, as they allow for the efficient transfer of weapons between the ship’s various storage areas and the flight deck.

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier features a new class of weapons elevators that utilize revolutionary technology to increase efficiency and speed. These advanced weapons elevators were developed by Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) as part of a $14.9 billion contract signed with the U.S. Navy for the construction of two Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers. By purchasing two flattops under one contract, the U.S. Navy was able to save significant costs on the construction of these advanced vessels.

The new weapons elevators on the USS Gerald R. Ford feature an electromagnetic propulsion system that uses linear motors to propel the elevators at high speeds. This technology allows the elevators to move more quickly and efficiently than traditional hydraulic elevators, which are typically used on aircraft carriers. The advanced elevators on the USS Gerald R. Ford are capable of moving weapons up to 24,000 pounds in weight at a rate of 150 feet per minute.

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