A new aircraft carrier being built for the Navy will be delayed at least eight weeks because of ongoing problems, adding to a list of cost overruns for the multi-billion dollar project.
The Gerald R. Ford carrier was due to be finished in August or September, but that date, according to
Military.com, has been moved back two months.
"During ongoing testing of developmental systems aboard the CVN 78 [Ford], first of class issues are continuing to be resolved," Navy spokesman Capt. Thurraya Kent said, reports Military.com.
"If additional issues arise during the remaining shipboard testing, that date may need to be revised."
The ship, according to the report, is about 98 percent finished. But issues with the arresting cables, which stop planes when they land on the flight deck, weapons elevators, and radar systems are delaying the project.
Arizona Sen. John McCain, a former Navy pilot and the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee,
blasted the delays in a statement this week.
"The advanced arresting gear (AAG) cannot recover airplanes. Advanced weapons elevators cannot lift munitions. The dual-band radar cannot integrate two radar bands. Even if everything goes according to the Navy's plan, CVN-78 will be delivered with multiple systems unproven," McCain said.
"This situation is unacceptable and was entirely preventable. The Ford-class program is a case study in why our acquisition system must be reformed."
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