The second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear aircraft carrier of the United States Navy (US Navy), the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), has successfully completed its first sea trials, marking a significant milestone in the process of bringing the vessel into the fleet. The initial evaluations were conducted following its departure from the Newport News Shipbuilding yard in the state of Virginia, where the ship is being built under the responsibility of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). These trials represent a key stage prior to its future operational delivery to the service.
HII officially reported that the Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division completed the so-called builder’s sea trials of the John F. Kennedy, during which the aircraft carrier was taken to open sea conditions for the first time. After completing this phase, the ship returned to the shipyard to continue with the tasks outlined in its construction and outfitting schedule. The evaluations made it possible to verify the initial performance of essential systems and components of the vessel.
Shipyard workers, crew members assigned to the USS John F. Kennedy, and U.S. Navy personnel jointly took part in the trials, conducting maneuvers aimed at validating the ship’s operation under real navigation conditions. These activities are intended to identify any necessary adjustments before advancing to later certification phases and more complex testing.
Regarding this milestone, Derek Murphy, Vice President of New Aircraft Carrier Construction Programs at Newport News Shipbuilding, stated: “Taking Kennedy to sea is a testament to the determination of the world’s best shipbuilders.” He added: “Our nation depends on us to deliver these critical assets that will protect freedom around the world, and we are proud to see CVN-79 take another step toward joining the fleet.”
The USS John F. Kennedy continues the line of high-capacity nuclear-powered aircraft carriers initiated by the USS Gerald R. Ford, the first unit and lead ship of the class currently in service. The Gerald R. Ford-class design incorporates improvements aimed at increasing operational efficiency and reducing crew requirements, in addition to integrating a new nuclear power plant and greater electrical generation capacity to support current and future systems.
The Gerald R. Ford program represents one of the U.S. Navy’s most ambitious projects, although it has not been without delays and budgetary adjustments. In this context, official documents have previously reported the postponement of the delivery of the USS Enterprise (CVN-80), the third carrier of the class, amid revisions to priorities within the U.S. defense budget for Fiscal Year 2025.
Despite these challenges, the U.S. Navy continues to move forward with the long-term planning of its aircraft carrier fleet. In January 2025, the service officially announced the naming of the future CVN-82 and CVN-83, which will bear the names of former presidents William J. Clinton and George W. Bush, respectively. Both ships will also be built by Newport News Shipbuilding, reinforcing the continuity of the Gerald R. Ford program as a central pillar of U.S. naval power projection in the coming decades.
*Images for illustrative purposes.
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