Enterprise (CVN 80) Ceremonial Keel Laying Time-Lapse

Newport News Shipbuilding held a ceremonial keel laying for Enterprise (CVN 80) on Aug. 27, 2022. The milestone symbolizes the official start of construction for the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, though work is already well underway. U.S. Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky are the Ship’s Sponsors. Ledecky attended the event in person, while Biles participated via video. Watch this video as Ledecky gives the command to NNS’ “Big Blue” Crane Operator Charlie Holloway to lower the keel unit into the dry dock - as well as time-lapse video of the lift.

[@Spedatr0n]

Very nice. So glad to be a part of this awesome team!

[@serge00storms]

Well, this is a new ship. But she's got the right name. Now, you remember that, you hear? You treat her like a lady. And she'll always bring you home. Admiral Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy:

[@nicholasmaude6906]

The keel-laying ceremony should be happening when the first double-bottom block is lowered into the dry dock.

[@geomodelrailroader]

Big E is starting to take shape the final keel block has been laid and soon they will start placing side panels.

[@jpvanden1]

Great to have another Enterprise and continue the tradition. But we need to stop naming the big carriers after people at all, whether Presidents or not. The first several ships in this new class could easily have been Enterprise, Yorktown, Ranger, Lexington, Saratoga, Hornet, Langley, Midway, Coral Sea, Intrepid, Ticonderoga, or Kitty Hawk. They could also use Independence now that the LCS Independence is decommissioned, or United States if feeling patriotic. Other options could be Monitor, Bonhomme Richard, Reprisal, etc. That gets you through the entire class and then some, honoring past ships and naval tradition, while avoiding politics and names of individuals. Save that for the destroyers or support ships, if at all.

[@prplegg624]

I love it

[@TheDankee75]

how can it be called a keel laying when its the bow of the aircraft carrier?

[@testaklese]

Because that *is* the keel...or the last piece of it anyway. The keel on a steel ship isn't quite the same as on a wooden ship, but it's still important and symbolic in the same way.

[@geomodelrailroader]

that is not the bow do you see a round steel bulb on the end of this segment? I don't think so what goes forward of this block is the bilge and then the bow and what goes behind it is the stern and the rudder. See those holes? those are bilge vents.

[@RootBeerFlavored]

It's been over 3 years since construction was announced... And this is all they've completed. Union shipbuilders milking the clock.

[@brainwashingdetergent4128]

I think they are building these ships incredibly fast I just came to check progress expecting Kennedy to still be in dry dock getting modules welded on but its done and the enterprise keel has been laid wow im impressed the Chinese cant build them this fast and they are trying hard to do so.

[@verdebusterAP]

Seriously , the USN couldn't have come up with another name ? Something they haven't used 8 times already? how about Ranger, Lexington , Midway ?

[@AgentCircus007]

LONG LIVE THE BIG E !!!!!

[@verdebusterAP]

@@AgentCircus007 9 times is just silly

[@Odin029]

The US Navy must always have an Enterprise. I hate the break it to you, but when this ship is retired... they'll build another one.

[@Abrams6578]

@@Odin029 Or at the very least, we must always have a carrier Enterprise, to carry on what the Big E started, and she's already setting new firsts, being the first CV built on drawingless digital blueprints

[@johnjones5354]

Enterprise is the proudest name in the history of the US Navy. There should ALWAYS be a USS Enterprise in the fleet.

[@lmbear]

Making a pretty big deal over nothing.