The US Navy’s future John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) aircraft carrier has completed acceptance sea trials several months after concluding builder’s sea trials earlier this year.
The US Navy’s future John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) aircraft carrier has completed acceptance sea trials several months after concluding builder’s sea trials earlier this year.
HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division, together with the ship’s sailors and US Navy personnel, conducted testing and evaluation of the second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier’s operations.
Following this milestone, CVN 79 is set to undergo preliminary acceptance, which will allow the navy to begin underway test and evaluation of the carrier's unique systems ahead of its anticipated delivery to the service by March 2027.
“It is an honor to take Kennedy to sea to demonstrate the quality work and commitment by our shipbuilders,” said Derek Murphy, NNS VP of new construction aircraft carrier programs.
“This critical set of sea trials is a testament to the entire nuclear shipbuilding enterprise and the work of thousands across our country to prepare CVN 79 to join the fleet.”
CVN 79
The carrier is 1,092 feet (333 meters) long, has a full-load displacement of approximately 100,000 long tons (101,600 metric tons), and can accommodate more than 75 aircraft.
HII began constructing CVN 79 in February 2011. The program has faced significant delays, including work related to the carrier’s advanced arresting gear and advanced weapons elevators, pushing its scheduled delivery to March 2027.
The delays to CVN 79 have contributed to the navy’s decision to extend USS Nimitz’s service life as the service manages its carrier force during the transition to the Ford-class and ensures a minimum of 11 operational aircraft carriers.
