The US Navy Awarded $17.6M Contract To Repair Newest Aircraft Carrier

BusinessAerospace & DefenseThe US Navy Awarded $17.6M Contract To Repair Newest Aircraft CarrierByPeter Suciu,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Suciu covers trends in the world of aerospace and defense.Follow AuthorJun 11, 2026, 04:54pm EDTThe USS Gerald R. Ford pulls up to Pier 11 at Naval Station Norfolk on Saturday, May 16, 2026, following an 11-month deployment (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)TNSA month after the USS Gerald R. Ford, the United States Navy’s newest and largest aircraft carrier, completed its historic deployment, which lasted nearly 11 months, the service issued a new $17.6 million contract to cover much-needed repairs to the nuclear-powered warship. CVN-78 returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Saturday morning, May 16, 2026, marking the end of a record-breaking 326-day deployment that spanned the U.S. 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleets’ areas of responsibility.The supercarrier, which was officially commissioned in July 2017, has now completed two overseas deployments, with each being extended. The time at sea has taken a toll on the vessel, which will necessitate extensive repairs that could sideline the ship for 14 months or longer.With a procurement cost of approximately $13.3 billion, not including the extensive research and development that went into the new class of nuclear-powered supercarriers, the USS Gerald R. Ford is already the most expensive warship ever built.Now nearly $18 million will go towards unplanned repairs.“Metro Machine Corp General Dynamics NASSCO, Norfolk, Virginia is being awarded a $17,572,357 modification to authorize new work on a previously awarded contract (N0002423D4100) for the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Fiscal 2026 Emergent Maintenance Availability,” the Pentagon’s contract posting announced, noting that this was repair work that wasn’t planned.“Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance and Navy funds in the amount o...