Welding Journal

Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va., a division of HII, is building the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN 80) for the U.S. Navy. The shipyard also built the previous Enterprise, CVN 65, which was the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

At more than 1100 ft long and 130 ft wide at its widest point, this new Enterprise will be one of the largest aircraft carriers in its class, and many of its individual components will be proportionately large — right down to the 400-lb hinge..