USS John F. Kennedy departs for acceptance sea trials

Published Aug 13, 01:14 PM UTC

The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the US Navy's second Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, departed Newport News Shipbuilding on 12 August 2026 to begin acceptance sea trials. These trials are the final major evaluation phase before the vessel's handover, currently projected for March 2027. The shipyard, HII's Newport News Shipbuilding, stated the trials will involve comprehensive testing of the carrier's systems and components at sea. Construction began in February 2011, with the keel laid in August 2015, and the vessel was christened and launched in October 2019. The carrier measures 1,092 feet, displaces approximately 100,000 tons, and can support up to 90 aircraft, including F-35s and F/A-18s. The Ford-class incorporates 23 new or upgraded systems compared to the Nimitz-class, requiring 500-900 fewer crew members. The USS John F. Kennedy follows the lead ship USS Gerald R. Ford, delivered in May 2017.