USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and subsequent carriers.
ewport News Shipbuilding (NNS) facility in Newport News, Virginia, which is the only shipyard in the United States capable of building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. This shipyard is part of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII).
The Goliath Gantry Crane at Newport News:
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Manufacturer: ZPMC (Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company), a Chinese company.
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Installed: Around 2008–2009.
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Height: Approx. 230 feet (70 meters).
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Span: 660 feet (over 200 meters).
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Lifting capacity: 1,050 metric tons.
This Goliath crane plays a key role in:
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Assembling Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers, such as the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and subsequent carriers.
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Supporting the construction and maintenance of Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines.
It's one of the most iconic heavy-lift cranes in the U.S. and essential for modular shipbuilding, where massive pre-fabricated sections (called "superlifts") are hoisted and placed into position.
