Factory sea trials have begun in Virginia for the newest aircraft carrier, USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), which is the second ship of the Gerald R. Ford class. The vessel left the Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard for the first time, marking a key stage before its official transfer to the US Navy. This was reported by Defense Express, writes UNN.
Details
The aircraft carrier "John F. Kennedy" was designed taking into account the experience of operating the lead ship of the series. It is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult (EMALS) and an improved landing system, which allows for a 33% increase in aircraft sorties compared to previous generation Nimitz aircraft carriers. In addition, the ship is equipped with the latest AN/SPY-6(V)3 radar station, similar to that used on Arleigh Burke destroyers.
These trials will test critical ship systems and components at sea for the first time
Despite the fact that the construction was accompanied by delays due to the certification of weapon lifting mechanisms and braking systems, going to sea confirms the aircraft carrier's readiness for the final stage of testing.
Strategic importance for the US fleet
The transfer of CVN-79 to the American fleet is scheduled for March 2027. The appearance of this aircraft carrier will allow the process of decommissioning the veteran USS Nimitz to begin, whose decommissioning is expected in May 2026. It is expected that the "John F. Kennedy" will be the first ship of its class to be based on the West Coast of the United States, strengthening Washington's presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
In total, the US Navy plans to build ten Ford-class aircraft carriers, which will completely replace the outdated nuclear aircraft carriers of previous series over the next decades. Thanks to new nuclear reactors and automation of processes, the crew of new ships has been reduced by hundreds of people, which significantly reduces operating costs.