With assistance in top line accommodation from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Office of Management and Budget, this accelerated the full funding of CVN 77 one year to FY 2001. The resultant profile, which shortens the production gap between CVN 76 and CVN 77, will provide significant industrial base benefits and savings while balancing other shipbuilding priorities. Redesigns and new materials mean reduced maintenance costs. Curved flight deck edges, enclosed antenna farms, smaller islands and internal aircraft elevators add up to maximum stealth. Semi-automated refueling and servicing in a new configuration and deck location provides faster, more efficient airwing pit stops and requires fewer people.
New designs reduce clutter.