Through the release of a short video on its official YouTube channel, the U.S. company Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that the future nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), which will join the U.S. Navy, is finalizing preparations ahead of the start of its sea trials. This marks significant progress in the construction of the second vessel of the Gerald R. Ford-class. The footage shows the massive ship being moved from a Newport News shipyard pier into the James River by tugboats, which turned it 180 degrees before returning it to its berth.
Citing some of the statements made by Paul Andrew, one of the main officials in charge of the operation: “The ship’s turnaround is a vital part of the construction process, as you can only work on certain systems when it’s facing a particular direction. It’s not a simple task, since the river isn’t deep enough in all areas, so great attention must be paid to every step.”
Construction superintendent Shayne Laws later indicated that a total of six tugboats were involved in the maneuver to ensure it was carried out properly. He added that the shipbuilding process for the future carrier has been demanding, but that the company is now focused on installing and testing the final systems before the start of sea trials.
It is worth recalling that the construction of the future USS John F. Kennedy has drawn attention from the U.S. Navy due to major delays, with delivery now expected up to two years later than originally planned—likely during the first half of 2027. This situation will temporarily reduce the Navy’s active carrier fleet, especially considering that the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is scheduled for retirement next year after more than 50 years of service.
According to local media reports, two technical issues are currently affecting the carrier: its Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWE) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) systems. The latter is a key component for aircraft recovery operations, designed to replace the older hydraulic arresting systems found on pre-Ford-class carriers. Its main advantage is the use of a turbo-electric electromagnetic motor, which enables operations with a broader range of aircraft weights and reduces the stress placed on aircraft during recovery.
Meanwhile, the AWE systems also incorporate new linear electromagnetic motors designed to facilitate the movement of weapons from the carrier’s magazines to the flight deck for aircraft arming. However, after installation, the shipyard encountered difficulties in calibrating the system—an issue that remains unresolved and previously affected the first carrier of the class. In addition, reports highlighting the causes of these delays point to shortages of specialized labor and persistent supply chain problems.
Finally, it is important to note that the U.S. Navy is also facing challenges related to the future home port of the USS John F. Kennedy: Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, located in Washington State. According to U.S. analysts, the base is in the process of upgrading and replacing its electrical infrastructure to support the automated systems of the new Ford-class carriers, with completion expected in fiscal year 2029.
Image credits: HII
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