HII announced that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has completed acceptance sea trials for John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), marking a major milestone in the Gerald R. Ford-class program. The acceptance sea trials evaluated critical systems and performance at sea and followed earlier builder’s trials conducted this year.
John F. Kennedy returned to Newport News after the acceptance sea trials, where shipyard teams and Navy crews conducted further testing and assessments of key systems and components, according to the company.
“It is an honor to take Kennedy to sea to demonstrate the quality work and commitment by our shipbuilders,” said Derek Murphy, vice president of new construction aircraft carrier programs at Newport News Shipbuilding. “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.”
The trials brought together Newport News Shipbuilding personnel, John F. Kennedy sailors, and Navy teams to carry out evaluations of ship operations and onboard systems.
Next steps after acceptance sea trials
CVN 79 is the second carrier in the Ford class, which the Navy describes as a highly capable nuclear-powered aircraft carrier platform. With acceptance sea trials complete, the next step is preliminary acceptance.
That milestone will allow the Navy to begin underway test and evaluation of Kennedy’s unique systems.