US Navy’s next aircraft carrier hits 99% completion, enters sea-testing phase

The US Navy has taken preliminary acceptance of its next aircraft carrier, the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), allowing the ship and its crew to begin at-sea testing and build underway proficiency.

The milestone, reached on September 29, follows the carrier’s successful completion of Acceptance Trials in August. Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, is completing final ship systems testing ahead of formal delivery in spring 2027.

Kennedy is approximately 99% complete, with all major systems finished. Remaining work includes testing four Advanced Weapons Elevators as the Navy and shipbuilder advance the carrier toward delivery and combat readiness.

Preliminary acceptance opens testing phase

Preliminary acceptance gives the Navy an opportunity to operate the carrier at sea while the shipbuilder continues its final testing responsibilities. This allows crew training and ship systems testing to progress during the period leading up to formal delivery.

“Achieving preliminary acceptance marks a new phase for the ship and her crew, allowing them to get more water under the keel as they test and train underway,” said CAPT Mark Johnson, the Navy’s Program Manager for Gerald R. Ford-Class New Construction.

The distinction between preliminary acceptance and formal delivery remains central to the announcement. Although the Navy has accepted the ship for this next phase, the carrier has not yet reached its scheduled delivery milestone.

The additional time underway allows sailors to develop proficiency aboard the ship as testing continues. The Navy describes the arrangement as the fastest possible path for CVN 79 to achieve combat readiness.

Final weapons elevator testing continues

With construction approximately 99% complete, the shipbuilder’s remaining activities center on final ship systems testing. The Navy specifically identified the remaining four Advanced Weapons Elevators among the systems undergoing these checks.

The announcement states that all major systems are complete, while making clear that final testing remains underway. Construction completion and the verification of ship systems therefore represent separate steps in the carrier’s progress toward delivery.

“This milestone is a testament to the shared commitment of our sailors and our combined Navy-industry team, who remain laser-focused on completing the final stages of construction and test with precision and efficiency to deliver combat-ready lethality to the fleet,” Johnson said.

The successful acceptance trials in August preceded this latest milestone. Preliminary acceptance now creates another period of testing and training before the shipbuilder formally delivers Kennedy to the Navy.

Navy emphasizes faster ship delivery

The announcement also places Kennedy’s progress within the Navy’s broader effort to accelerate the delivery of surface ships and combat capability.

The Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Maritime serves as the single accountable organization for delivering surface ships to the service.

The Navy describes the centralized structure as giving leaders broader scope and greater authority to improve acquisition speed and discipline.

That approach is intended to align ship acquisition with operational needs and the demands of a fleet operating continuously around the world.

Source: https://interestingengineering.com/military/us-navys-next-aircraft-carrier-completion