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Newport News, VA – The United States Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, CVN-79 John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), has departed the Newport News Shipbuilding facility to undergo essential sea trials, marking a significant milestone in its journey to commissioning. The Ford-class aircraft carrier, which was named after the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, is scheduled to be officially commissioned in 2024.
The 100,000-ton CVN-79 began construction in 2015 and has undergone extensive testing and evaluation to ensure its readiness for operation. The ship, measuring 1,106 feet in length and 257 feet in width, will serve as the flagship of Carrier Group Eight and will play a crucial role in maintaining maritime superiority.
The construction of CVN-79 represents a significant investment in the nation’s defense capabilities, with an estimated cost of approximately $13 billion. The aircraft carrier will be equipped with an advanced suite of combat systems, including the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) and the Dual Band Radar (DBR), which will significantly enhance its capabilities for air defense and strike operations.
The sea trials, which are scheduled to last several weeks, will allow the crew to test and evaluate the ship’s performance, systems, and capabilities in various sea conditions. The trials will include a series of comprehensive tests to assess the ship’s propulsion systems, electrical distribution systems, navigation, and communication equipment.
Upon completion of the sea trials, the CVN-79 will return to the Newport News Shipbuilding for final outfitting and preparations for its official commissioning. Captain Will W. Pinney, the ship’s commanding officer, commented on the significance of this milestone, stating, “The crew and I are excited to take the CVN-79 out for its sea trials and put it through its paces. We’ll be testing its systems, capabilities, and performance in a variety of operating conditions.”
The commissioning of CVN-79 marks a major milestone in the U.S. Navy’s plans to maintain a strong presence on the world’s oceans and to support operations in various regions. With its advanced capabilities and technologies, the CVN-79 is poised to play a critical role in ensuring the nation’s defense and maintaining maritime superiority.
The Newport News Shipbuilding has a long history of constructing aircraft carriers, and the CVN-79 is the fourth Ford-class carrier built by the facility. The previous ships in the class, the Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and the Kennedy’s sister ship, the Enterprise-class will continue to provide essential services to the Navy and be used as the basis for future development of the Ford-class.
Once commissioned, the CVN-79 will be homeported at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, and will be part of Carrier Group Eight.