Future USS John F. Kennedy, Second Ford Class Carrier, Has Set Sail For The First Time

[Talyn]

The Navy hopes to take delivery of the future USS John F. Kennedy next year after repeated delays.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that Kennedy, also known by the hull number CVN-79, had left port in Newport News, Virginia, earlier today to start initial sea trials.

Future USS John F. Kennedy, Second Ford Class Carrier, Has Set Sail For The First Time

The Navy hopes to take delivery of the future USS John F. Kennedy next year after repeated delays.

www.twz.com

Carrier John F. Kennedy Gets Underway for First Time Ahead of Builder's Trials - USNI News

The future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), the Navy’s second Ford-class aircraft carrier, went to sea for the first time on Wednesday. John F. Kennedy left Newport News, Va., for builder’s trials. “John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) departed HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division today to undergo...

news.usni.org

The Navy ordered the new Kennedy in 2013, and it was laid down at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division in 2015. The ship was launched four years later, at which time the goal was for it to be delivered in 2022. The Navy had originally pursued a dual-phase delivery schedule for the carrier, in which it would arrive initially still lacking certain capabilities. A Congressional demand for the carrier to be able to support F-35C Joint Strike Fighters at the time of delivery contributed to an initial slip in that schedule to 2024.

 

[NMEDGE]

I remember when I was a kid my mom took mre to the Boston Navy Yard to see the first one! I have always remembered that. As a kid I was awestruck. Hope this new one is just as great as the first one.

 

[Old_Me]

I remember when I was a kid my mom took mre to the Boston Navy Yard to see the first one! I have always remembered that. As a kid I was awestruck. Hope this new one is just as great as the first one.

my mom and dad too me to the old Boston Naval yard to watch, "Old Ironsides" being built......so there...!!!!

 

[Ozarker]

Awesome, but I must say I'm surprised it's the JFK.

 

[NMEDGE]

my mom and dad too me to the old Boston Naval yard to watch, "Old Ironsides" being built......so there...!!!!

You really must be that old! Back then it wasn't the old Navy Yard it was a brand new one.

 

[HayesGreener]

That's a big can of whoopass!

 

[Talyn]

More...

https://news.usni.org/2026/02/04/carrier-john-f-kennedy-returns-from-first-stint-at-sea-completes-builders-trials?

The future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) returned Feb. 4, 2026, to Newport News Shipbuilding after a one-week stint at sea to complete builder’s trials. HII photo

 

[Talyn]

And more...

The future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) has returned to HII-Newport News Shipbuilding following successful builder’s sea trials. A team of shipbuilders and the CVN 79 crew spent a week at sea testing important ship systems and components for the first time.

The good news is that she was able to complete the trials without having any big issues.

She looks beautiful.

USS JFK inches forward to completion

The future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) has returned to HII-Newport News Shipbuilding following successful builder’s sea trials. A team of shipbuilders and the CVN 79 crew spent a week at sea testi…

laststandonzombieisland.com

 

[Lo-Profile]

Watched a few new Submarines launch in my hometown.
Been to John Paul Jones House a few times as a kid growing up. His ship the USS Ranger was built there.