Navy receives final Ford advanced weapons elevator following delays

Shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries has delivered the final advanced weapons elevator to the Navy for the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford (CVN-78), the service announced Thursday.

The Navy said it received the eleventh and final elevator on Wednesday. The elevators experienced lengthy delays caused by development, installation and delivery problems.

The elevators require fewer sailors to operate and are faster and more agile than previous elevators, the Navy said in the press release.

“With completion of this final AWE, we now have the entire system to operate and train with,” Rear Adm. James Downey, program executive officer for aircraft carriers, said in the press release.

Ford is currently undergoing its planned incremental availability at HII Newport News' facility in Hampton Roads, VA. The PIA started in September and is set to run through February, according to the company.