Advanced Weapons Elevators Completed Aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)

On December 22, the 11th and final Advanced Weapons Elevator (AWE) aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) was turned over to the Ship’s Crew.  AWEs on this first-of-class aircraft carrier operate using several advanced technologies including electromagnetic motors vice more labor intensive, hydraulic systems.  The advanced technology enables fewer sailors to safely move ordnance from weapons magazines to the flight deck with unparalleled speed and agility.

Adm. Tony Radakin, U.K. Royal Navy First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff receives a brief from Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, USS Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) commanding officer, in one of Ford's advanced weapons elevators.

“This is a significant milestone for the Navy, ship, and her crew,” said Rear Adm. James P. Downey, Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers.  “With completion of this final AWE, we now have the entire system to operate and train with.”

Downey added that the Navy-Industry AWE team worked tirelessly both inport and at sea to complete the elevators to ensure the availability of needed materials and engineering expertise.  Multiple vendors have collaborated along the way to ensure seamless support to multi-shift, shipboard production efforts.

“The Navy-Industry teaming provided the opportunities for hundreds of craftsmen, technicians and engineers, working around the clock—through multiple underway and holiday periods—to get these advanced systems on line and operational,” said Downey.

Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Juan Torres, from Milwaukee, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) weapons department, moves ammunition onto one of the ship's advanced weapons elevators during an ammunition onload on the flight deck, April 9, 2021.

The team logged this important milestone in the midst of the ship’s six-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA), at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding facility in Hampton Roads, Virginia.  Gerald R. Ford is scheduled to complete the PIA this spring, followed by training and deployment.

“The end game is always operational readiness,” added Downey, “and Ford is on track to complete this PIA on schedule, conduct sea trials, and to move on to follow on tasking.”