Spectacular images of the test of the American aircraft carrier "Gerald R. Ford" with the help of a powerful underwater explosion that occurred in the immediate vicinity of the ship have appeared on the Internet.
A huge explosion!
Photo source:? @Warship_78 pic.twitter.com/iNQzAEZblc
— 艾布拉姆斯?? (@SuTNkwfrFkMhHsG) June 19, 2021
According to The Drive, this was a large-scale test of the reliability of all aircraft carrier systems from on-board computers to a nuclear reactor after severe concussions. Special testing equipment was installed on the ship before testing. In addition, the ability of the aircraft carrier crew to eliminate possible serious damage was checked.
The first underwater test explosion occurred on June 18 off the coast of Florida. The concussion caused by it was estimated at 3.9 points on the Richter scale. There should be three explosions in total.
"This type of test is extremely important for a new class of ships, especially one as complex as the Ford class. Explosions near an aircraft carrier can be caused by anti-ship missiles, sea mines, torpedoes, or even explosions of other ships that are nearby and hit by the enemy. The test also provides some insight into how the ship will behave in a successful enemy attack. It's about finding weaknesses and eliminating them. Any problems identified could affect the construction of future Ford aircraft carriers, four of which are panicked and three are already under construction. The bottom line is that the ship must be able to withstand the nearest explosion and continue the battle. Shock tests help to make sure of this, " writes The Drive.
It is also noted that there is no information yet about how the aircraft carrier "Gerald R. Ford" was tested by the first underwater explosion. Meanwhile, similar tests were conducted 34 years ago. Then the aircraft carrier "Theodore Roosevelt"was tested in this way.
Mikhail Rusin