USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the lead ship of the Gerald R. Ford class nuclear aircraft carrier, was commissioned at Newport News Shipbuilding in July 2017 and has served in the Atlantic Fleet homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Gerald R. Ford is powered by two Bechtel A1B nuclear reactors driving four steam turbines, and incorporates Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EALS) replacing the conventional steam catapults of the Nimitz class. Commissioned in 2017, Gerald R. Ford incorporated steam plant insulation, pipe lagging, gaskets, and construction materials consistent with 2017 naval construction specifications.

USS Gerald R. Ford Steam Plant and Hull Asbestos

Gerald R. Ford’s nuclear steam plant and hull construction incorporated asbestos in multiple areas:

  • Steam plant insulation — Gerald R. Ford’s steam generators, high-pressure steam piping, main propulsion turbines, and turbine generator spaces incorporated insulation materials consistent with 2017 nuclear naval construction specifications, which according to publicly filed litigation records included asbestos-containing materials
  • Hull and structural insulation — Gerald R. Ford’s crew berthing, aviation spaces, engineering spaces, and working spaces were constructed with insulation materials consistent with 2017 naval construction specifications, which according to publicly filed litigation records included asbestos-containing materials
  • Gaskets and packing materials — Gerald R. Ford’s engineering spaces and steam plant systems incorporated gaskets and valve packing consistent with 2017 construction specifications, which according to publicly filed litigation records included asbestos-containing materials
  • Fire-protective and thermal barriers — Gerald R. Ford’s aviation spaces, engineering compartments, and combat spaces incorporated fire-protective insulation materials consistent with 2017 naval construction standards

VA Claims for USS Gerald R. Ford Veterans

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Machinist’s Mates, Boiler Technicians, Hull Technicians, Aviation Boatswain’s Mates, and crew members who served aboard USS Gerald R. Ford and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.

Product & Manufacturer Reference

The asbestos-containing products documented on U.S. Navy vessels and at shipyards are catalogued by manufacturer on AsbestosIndex. These records cross-reference which companies supplied which materials and to which facilities.

Pipe Covering & Block Insulation Thermal insulation applied to steam lines, valves, and equipment in engine rooms and fire rooms Marine Products Insulation, gaskets, and packing products specified for naval and commercial marine applications Boilers & Steam Equipment Boiler manufacturers and insulation products — central to the fire room exposure pathway Gaskets & Packing Sheet and ring gaskets used throughout piping flanges, valve bonnets, and pump housings Electrical Products Wire insulation, switchgear arc chutes, and panel liners used throughout electrical spaces Full Product Index Search all 200+ manufacturers and 1,500+ documented asbestos products on AsbestosIndex™

Navy Ratings Most Exposed to Asbestos Aboard Gerald R. Ford

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the public asbestos litigation record document that the following Navy ratings worked routinely in spaces where ACM was installed, maintained, ripped out, and replaced:

VA Disability Claims for Asbestos-Related Disease

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evaluates asbestos claims individually. A veteran generally needs medical evidence of a current asbestos-related disease, service evidence supporting in-service asbestos exposure, and a medical opinion connecting the two. Ship assignments, Navy ratings, and equipment records can help document the exposure history but do not create automatic service connection.

Approved claims may provide monthly disability compensation and related benefits. Survivors may separately qualify for Dependency & Indemnity Compensation when the applicable requirements are met. Civil lawsuits and asbestos-trust claims use different standards; claimants should obtain individualized advice about how the processes interact.

How to file a VA disability claim: VA claims are filed directly with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — not with a law firm. Start at VA.gov › Hazardous Materials Exposure, call 1‑800‑827‑1000, or get free help filing from a Veterans Service Organization: DAV, VFW, or American Legion.

VA Claims Guide on This Site › Compare: VA vs. Civil Lawsuit

Source notes: equipment-manifest entries (where shown) are sourced from public-record BUSHIPS (Bureau of Ships) documentation, NARA archives, and the public asbestos litigation record. Manufacturer attributions link to documented asbestos-product histories on AsbestosIndex.com where available. Nothing on this page constitutes medical or legal advice.