「小魔王看航母」 美國海軍最新的Ford級航空母艦

今天是周末，所以來一些輕鬆的內容！

相信很多喜歡計算機的朋友們和我一樣，小時候會特別喜歡汽車、飛機、坦克和輪船之類的東西。記得小學的時候，一直痴迷於四驅車航模的拼裝，還去參加當時我們小學的比賽，最後貌似獲得了一個六年級組的第一名。反正我記憶猶新的是最後的獎品是一部法拉利跑車的模型。當時我有一個喜歡的女孩子（同班同學）；得了車之後便每天晚上等爸媽睡覺了之後便在床頭偷偷組裝模型，花了一周後興高采烈地把裝好的 法拉利跑車 送給她！

長大後，沒事在網上看看一些紀錄片，裡面有說汽車、飛機和航母之類的；我最喜歡的是 National Geographics 的 Big, Bigger, Biggest；裡面有一級說 美軍最大的潛水艇 賓夕法尼亞號 和當時最大的航母 尼米茲級。再到前年，聽說美帝新建了一艘航母，剛建成準備開始服役。

那麼就陪大家一起看看美國海軍新式Ford級航空母艦：Gerald R.Ford，斥資130億美元建造。該航空母艦名字的由來是取自美國第38任總統的名字:Gerald Rudolph Ford。她於2009年11月動工，目前建造已到尾聲，將於今年下半年開始服役。

另外一艘Ford級航母名叫John F. Kennedy，這個命名的由來大家應該會比較清楚了，她目前還在建造的初期，預計將於2020年開始服役。

話不多說，下面進行航母的具體介紹

USS Gerald Ford model photo

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, seen here in a combination model and live shot photo, is the first in the US Navys next generation of warships, the Ford class. USS Gerald R. Ford is expected to be commissioned this year. The next Ford class ship, the John F. Kennedy, is due in 2020.

The Ford-class design is the first major aircraft carrier update since the Nimitz-class was commissioned in 1975.

Gerald Ford模型圖

美國海軍，Gerald R.Ford號航空母艦模型組合現場實拍圖。Ford級別航空母艦是美國海軍新生

代戰艦，預計將於今年服役。 下一艘Ford級別戰艦，John F.Kennedy預計將於2020年服役。

Ford級航空母艦是在Nimitz級自1975年開始服役以來首次航空母艦的更新。

The launching of the USS Gerald R. Ford

The Gerald R. Ford was launched from dry dock into Virginias James River in November 2013.

Gerald R. Ford自2013年11月開始由乾塢轉至Virginias James河進行建造。

USS John F. Kennedy (2020)

Pictured here (in a composite photo illustration) is the second carrier in the Navys new Ford-class, the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). It is currently under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia and will be commissioned in 2020.

John F.Kennedy 是第二艘新式Ford級別的航空母艦，現在正在弗吉尼亞的新港造船廠建造，它預計在2020年開始服役。

The Ford in drydock

The worker in the foreground helps put the Gerald R. Fords massive size in perspective. The finished carrier measures 1,106 feet long and 250 feet high.

以下圖片是Ford正在乾塢的情況，工作人員在考慮恰當的放置Ford龐大的身軀。完全建成的航空母艦有1106英尺長，250英尺高。 也就是長高約為：347*76米。

Building the Ford at night

The completed USS Gerald R. Ford holds a number of welcome quality-of-life upgrades for sailors over the previous Nimitz design, including quieter sleeping quarters, numerous recreation areas and gymnasiums as well as better air conditioning.

夜晚的Ford建造

USS Gerala R.Ford航空母艦擁有相比 Nimitz航空母艦來說，更加受歡迎且舒適的生活區設計。包括更加安靜的睡眠環境，空調環境以及大量的休閑區域和健身場所。

USS Gerald Ford (computer model)

Heres another model illustration of the nuclear-powered carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).

The Ford itself will cost U.S. taxpayers $12.8 billion in materials and labor. This doesnt take into account the $4.7 billion spent in research and development of the new carrier class.

這是核動力航母Gerald R.Ford的另一張電腦模型圖，Ford航母的材料和勞動力成本就花費了納稅人128億美元。還不包括47億的研發費用。

Designing the carrier in 3D

Each part built for a Ford-class carrier starts its life as a full-scale 3D model inside Huntington Ingalls Industries Rapid Operational Virtual Reality (ROVR) system.

It it the first U.S. carrier to be designed using such computerized techniques.

3D設計圖，來自英格爾斯工業公司的虛擬現實ROVR系統，這也是航母設計首次使用到此類計算機技術。

Using augmented reality aboard the Ford

The Gerald R. Ford also uses augmented-reality technology to give its crew more insight into the ships systems and improve efficiency.

Here, Commanding Officer Capt. John F. Meier demonstrates how the ships new augmented-reality tablet system works.

Gerald R. Ford 也用到的擴增實鏡技術，目的是增加效率。 指揮官John F. Meier正在演示擴增實鏡技術是如何工作的。

The first cut of steel

The building of a 90,000-ton warship always begins with a single cut.

Newport News Shipbuilding held the Commemorative First Cut of Steel Ceremony for the John F. Kennedy, shown, on Feb. 25, 2011

這是John F. Kennedy的第一塊鋼板。造船廠在2011年2月25日為它舉辦了一個儀式。

Welding the Kennedy

Here, apprentice shipfitter Daniel Polson works on the USS John F. Kennedy.

Newport News Shipbuilding estimates that 4,000,000 pounds of metal will be required just to weld the ship together.

Kennedy的焊接，僅僅把航母焊接起來就需要4百萬磅的金屬。

Working on the propellers

Workers tighten studs on a propeller shaft tail cap on the Ford using a torque wrench.

The propellers will help the new class of ship reach speeds of 35 miles per hour-not bad for a 22.5-million pound sea vessel

航母的螺旋槳，這一個螺旋槳的重量約為 2000多磅（類似2000多斤）。螺旋槳的葉片設計一直是美軍的高度機密，好的螺旋槳不僅可以有效地增加推進的效率，還可以降低旋轉時的噪音（對於潛艇更加關鍵）航母的時速是35英里每小時、約為60km/h。對於這麼一個龐然大物來說，還不算太慢。

Inside the steel foundry

Newport News Shipbuilding operates its own on-site foundry.

Here, workers are casting steel anchor bolsters for the Kennedy.

內部鑄鋼廠

Working on the USS John F. Kennedy

Here, pipefitter Trevin Wilson works on the USS John F. Kennedy.

The new Ford-class carriers were designed to require significantly less plumbing. The Kennedy, for example, has one-third fewer valves than warships in the older Nimitz class.

Ford級航母的一個重要設計需求就是減少管道設施，它們將比Nimitz級航母少三分之一。

Bringing out the big guns

Gunners Mate 1st Class Ernest Quinones and Gunners Mate Darius Bloomfield handle one of the Fords .50-caliber machine guns during a general quarters drill.

50口徑的機關槍。射擊組正在進行一級戰備狀態操演。

Loading the guns

A team of Fire Controlmen aboard the Gerald R. Ford feed dummy ammunition into the ships MK-15 close-in weapon system during a maintenance check.

武器系統的載入和維護。

Prepping the missile launcher

Fire Controlman 3rd Class Lawrence Batcheller performs an operability test on the Gerald R. Fords Rolling Airframe Missile launching system remote controller.

Each of the surface-to-air missiles weighs 162 pounds and has infrared homing capabilites

導彈發射系統演習，地對空導彈重達162磅並擁有紅外定位能力。

Testing out electromagnetic launchers

Aviation Boatswains Mate 1st Class Robert McLendon participates in a waist launcher test of the Gerald R. Fords Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System (EMALS).

電磁發射器測試

Testing the electromagnetic catapult

The Navy demonstrates its new EMALS system by shuttling weighted sleds off the deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford and into the James River. Previously, plane launches were assisted by a steam catapult system.

電磁彈射系統測試，飛機的起飛藉助於蒸汽發射系統。這次的Ford級航母的一大引人注目的改進就是引入了最新的電磁彈射系統。眾所周知，為了讓縮短飛機的起飛距離，增加單位時間內起降的飛機數目，在上世紀中葉開始研究彈射裝置；終於在70年代將技術穩定在了蒸汽彈射器上。接下來，幾代的航母（包括最新的尼米茲級別）都是使用的蒸汽彈射裝置。

Success!

Ship sponsor (and daughter to President Ford) Susan Ford Bales celebrates after a successful test run of the carriers electromagnetic catapults. The new tech can accelerate a 100,000 pound object to a speed of 125 miles per hour in less than 300 feet.

成功發射，新技術能夠加速10萬磅的目標在300英尺內（約100米多一點點）至125英里每小時。

Moving the island

Newport News Shipbuildings crane, "Big Blue," begins moving the island, aka the air traffic control tower, onto the Gerald R. Ford in January 2013.

在2013年1月，起重機將飛航控制塔台移至Gerald R.Ford上。

The heaviest piece of the seaworthy puzzle

Weighing in at 1,026 metric tons (2.26 million pounds), the gallery deck to flight deck bridge is the heaviest component piece of the USS Gerald R. Ford. It measures 128 feet wide by 128 feet long and houses the ships firefighting, jet fuel and catapult systems.

用於航海最重的一塊拼圖，從船尾下甲板到起飛甲板的橋樑是Gerald R.Ford航母的最重的組件，1026噸。128英尺長，128英尺寬，還承載了船舶消防，噴氣燃料儲存，和彈射系統。

Finishing the stern

In the past, major military vessels were built in one piece from the ground up. Today, the shipbuilding process is modular. In this picture, workers lower the final piece of the Gerald R. Fords stern into place.

船尾的安裝完成，以前軍艦的建造都是碎片式的，現在是模塊化的。

Lowering the lower bow unit

Shipbuilders lower the 680-metric-ton lower bow unit onto the Gerald R. Ford.

安裝航母的底部船頭！ 這個船的頭部真是霸氣十足呀！

Finishing off the keel

Workers join the lower bow unit to the keel of the USS Gerald R. Ford in May 2012.

自2012年5月開始，底船頭開始建造。

A cross-sectioned carrier

Here, workers prepare the cross-sectioned Gerald R. Ford for the addition of its 787-metric-ton upper bow unit.

工作人員正在準備這787噸重航母船頭的橫斷面。

Two million pounds worth of catapult

The forward end of one of the aircraft carriers catapults is put into place by a massive 1,050-metric ton gantry crane.

200萬磅重的發射器，從第一個到最後一個發射器的安裝都是由一台1050噸級的起重機完成。

Just lifting 1.7 million pounds is all, NBD

Here, Newport News Shipbuildings crane puts in serious work, adding the 787-metric-ton upper bow to the Gerald R. Ford.

787噸級的船首被放置。這個階段可以看出，航母船體整體已經差不多完成了。

Installing the final aircraft elevator platform

This recently installed aircraft elevator platform will move planes from the carriers hangar bay to its flight deck.

安裝最終的飛機升降平台

Erecting the Fords deck

Susan Ford Bales visits the USS Gerald R. Ford during the building process in 2011. Here, the daughter of the late president helps a shipbuilder position part of the vessels main deck.

安裝Ford的甲板，已故總統福特的女兒拜爾斯，正在安裝一塊主要甲板。

Testing the anchor

Ship sponsor Susan Ford Bales, along with Newport News Shipbuilding employees Gary Carter (left) and Gary Paden (right), tests the carriers new anchor-handling system. The anchor on the Gerald R. Ford weighs a massive 30,000 pounds; its chain is 1,440 feet long.

船錨測試，船錨重30000磅，鐵鏈1440英尺長。

Fire drill!

Chief Damage Controlman Scottie A. Farra trains sailors on the use of a firehose during a ship-wide drill on damage control. The US Navy notes that this is a critical part of certifying the Gerald R. Fords crew before it sets sail.

消防演練是起航前關鍵的驗證部分

Hull nears completion

This aerial photo shows the Gerald R. Ford in dry dock approximately seven years into the building process (2012). It will return here for servicing after its first 25 years on the job.

船體的完成，Ford在乾塢中呆了幾乎7年直到2012年投入下一步建造，她將於服役後25年再次返回這裡。

And 200,000 gallons of paint later ...

As the famous old sailor adage goes: "If it moves, salute it; if it doesnt, paint it." And indeed, painting is a key part of the process at Newport News Shipbuilding, requiring between 120 and 170 workers to get the job done. The new, self-healing coating on the Gerald R. Ford, shown here, is formulated to resist heat and UV rays.

將消耗20萬加侖的漆料。 刷漆也是造船過程中一項很重要的工作。需要120-170名工人去完成這項工作。 這種自愈塗層，能夠抑制高溫和紫外線。

Thats one way to paint an anchor

In this photo, sailors apply a special coat of gold paint to the anchor of the Gerald R. Ford. Only ships that have received the US Department of the Navys Retention Excellence Award are allowed the honor.

給船錨刷漆的唯一方式

The Newport News Shipbuilding yard

The USS Gerald R. Ford can be seen here in the foreground of the Newport News Shipbuilding yard. The company employs approximately 20,000 people and is the only designer and builder of aircraft carriers in the United States.

美國新港造船廠，該航空母艦約僱傭有20000名員工，其作為獨家公司承接設計和建造工作。

Refueling a behemoth

Workers at Newport News Shipbuilding inactivate the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in the foreground of the photo. The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), meanwhile, can be seen undergoing refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at a neighboring dock.

The new Ford carrier class will require 30 percent less maintenance than these older Nimitz design ships, resulting in long-term cost savings for the government.

材料補充，Ford的維護消耗要小於Nimitz號30%。（原文這裡的意思應該是指和尼米茲號在同服役年齡的情況下比較，比如說都是服役前五年，福特號的消耗更少，不然老東西跟新東西的維護費肯定是不一樣的。新設計的器械設備更耐用，而且消耗更低，效率更高吧。）

Sunrise over the Ford

The sun rises over a nearly finished USS Gerald R. Ford in 2015.

Roughly 1,600 sailors began working and living aboard the ship starting in August 2015 as part of the testing process.

從即將完成的Ford號上看日出，有1600名船員自2015年8月開始在Ford上工作和生活。

Building the engine

Machinist Stuart Roes works on the main engine foundation for the John F. Kennedy. It will take a team of approximately 5,000 people, Roes included, to build and assemble the carrier.

肯尼迪號的引擎建設，它將耗費約5000人力。

Final assembly platen

An assembled portion of the John F. Kennedy sits on the final assembly platform.

肯尼迪號的一個裝配組件在裝配平台上。

...one more coat of paint...

With roughly 97 percent of the ships construction complete, deck department sailors work to sand and paint the inside of the Gerald R. Fords forecastle.

伴隨著97%船體構造的完成，甲板組船員開始裝飾（打磨，塗漆）他們的船。

The final prep work

Deck department sailors are now putting the finishing touches on the USS Gerald R. Ford, sanding the ships anchor chain to prep it for painting.

最後的準備工作，打磨船錨鏈以準備塗漆。

A trough of food

Culinary Specialist Seaman Antoria Major prepares a meal for sailors inside the galley of the Gerald R. Ford.

水手們的食物製作（看起來像是玉米面）

Lunch is served

A group of first-class petty officers give the Gerald R. Ford galley staff the day off, serving lunch to sailors aboard the ship.

這個不用翻譯，看圖就懂，午餐開飯啦！

Shopping on the high seas

Sailors can obtain many of the comforts of home in the Gerald R. Ford ship store using their Navy Cash debit card.

使用海軍現金借記卡，船上是有超市的噢！讓船員們感到家的溫暖。（刷卡果然開心。）

Starbucks is on board!

Its not all hardship, sacrifice and trough-made meals aboard the Gerald R. Ford; sailors can still get their Starbucks fix at Macs coffee shop, located inside the ships store.

All revenue from the coffee shop goes to support the ships sailors.

星巴克也是有的（這是航空母艦裡面呀！）這不是一艘生活艱難，充滿犧牲以及低配的船。這是高大上的新式航空母艦。星巴克的稅收收入還用於補貼船員們！！（萬惡的資本主義）

A seaworthy dental chair

With the vast majority of the ships construction finished, the dental office aboard the Gerald R. Ford is finally open for business and ready to serve its sailors.

治療由航海引起的牙科病。

Serving a higher power

Sailors, of course, have the opportunity to participate in regular religious services aboard the Gerald R. Ford.

An aircraft carrier may hold as many as 40 different religious services per week while at sea. Each chaplain-led service is tailored to the specific traditions of the many faiths aboard the ship.

船員們在船上依然可以周期性的進行宗教活動。該航母上約有40個不同的宗教信仰。

Christening the Ford

The ceremonial christening of sea vessels in the United States dates back to the launch of the Constitution (Old Ironsides) in 1797.

In those days, a bottle of fine Portuguese wine was broken on a vessels bowsprit. To christen the Gerald R. Ford, the Presidents daughter Susan broke a bottle of American-made sparkling wine on the ships bow.

那麼是時候來給Ford號洗剪吹一波了，噢！不對，是洗禮。由美國前已故總統福特的女兒蘇珊 來將氣泡酒打碎在船頭。傳統可以追溯到1797年，當時是將一瓶完好的葡萄牙葡萄酒（有點繞）打碎在船首的斜桅上。

Flooding the drydock

With most construction on the aircraft carrier finished, Newport News Shipbuilding floods its dry dock in preparation for sending the ship out to sea.

大部分結構完成之後，美國新港造船廠準備讓Ford號下海建造。

Gerald R. Ford christening ceremony

"When USS Gerald R. Ford joins the Navys fleet in 2016, she will reign as Americas queen of the sea for 50 years," said Newport News Shipbuilding President Matt Mulherin during its 2013 christening ceremony.

"She will stand as a symbol of sovereign U.S. territory wherever she sails. She will represent her namesake-a man who embodied integrity, honor and courage."

當Gerald R Ford號航母自2016年加入海軍艦隊起，她將加冕為美國的海洋皇后，任期50年。

無論她駛向何方，她都是美國神聖領土的象徵。

Welcome aboard!

Captain John F. Meier, Susan Ford Bales and Newport News Shipbuilding Vice President Rolf Bartschi make the inaugural cut into a 7-foot cake celebrating the crews move aboard the Gerald R. Ford carrier.

7英尺的船型蛋糕，歡迎登船。

關於Sailor我一開始都是翻的水手，想想就莫名帶感，可能是加勒比海盜看多了。

但人家可是正規軍，好吧。（備註：都是一個意思，沒有詞性上的差別，只是我想到水手就想到海盜，個人傾向，不要介意。）

最後一句：Ford號花費美國大約 130億 美元，而2014年的Facebook對於Whatsapp的收購花費了 190億 美元。說明什麼？Tech bubble？矽谷的浮躁？還是經濟危機到來前最後的盛宴？

--- End---

---Do have the faith in what you love

歡迎大家轉載！商業轉載請聯繫作者獲得授權，非商業轉載請同時註明作者和出處！缺一不可！

覃超知乎專欄：http://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/qinchao

小魔王公眾號：qc_empire

http://weixin.qq.com/r/v0wRCabESvs1reJq9xmt (二維碼自動識別)