The future USS John F. Kennedy has completed acceptance sea trials, clearing another major test milestone before the US Navy begins further evaluation of the second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, according to HII.
HII announced on 15 August that CVN 79 had returned to Newport News Shipbuilding following testing and evaluation of ship systems and components at sea.
The carrier had previously completed builder’s sea trials earlier in 2026. Acceptance trials represent a separate stage of testing involving the shipbuilder, Navy personnel and the ship’s crew before the vessel progresses towards acceptance by the service.
Derek Murphy, Newport News Shipbuilding vice president of new construction aircraft carrier programmes, said: “It is an honor to take Kennedy to sea to demonstrate the quality work and commitment by our shipbuilders.” He added: “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.”
HII said Newport News shipbuilders, sailors assigned to John F. Kennedy and US Navy personnel worked together during the trials to test and evaluate the operation of the ship. With acceptance trials complete, the next stage will be preliminary acceptance of the carrier. According to HII, that will allow the Navy to begin underway testing and evaluation of systems specific to John F. Kennedy.
CVN 79 is the second ship of the Gerald R. Ford class and follows USS Gerald R. Ford, CVN 78. The class introduces a number of changes from the preceding Nimitz-class carriers, including electromagnetic aircraft launch equipment and Advanced Arresting Gear for recovering aircraft. The ships also use a redesigned island and new electrical-generation arrangements intended to support their aviation and ship systems. John F. Kennedy is being constructed by HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division in Virginia, the only US shipyard currently building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
The carrier was christened in December 2019 and has subsequently progressed through fitting-out, systems activation and testing ahead of delivery to the U.S. Navy. Acceptance trials are conducted to demonstrate the material condition and operation of a vessel before acceptance by the service. The testing can involve propulsion, steering, electrical, communications and other shipboard systems, depending on the programme and stage of construction.
The completion of acceptance trials follows builder’s trials earlier this year and leaves preliminary acceptance as the next identified step in the carrier’s programme. Once that stage is completed, the Navy will begin underway test and evaluation of John F. Kennedy‘s unique systems before the ship proceeds through the remaining work required ahead of fleet service.
Good looking design
Of course it could, if the runes are correct end up being called the USS Trump Kennedy I guess. Although I doubt he will want one with Emals so might prefer to wait until he can get one with that installed and no doubt to compliment it a reversion to Tigercats as he likes two engines, can be introduced.
(uninstalled)