Newport News completes successful builder’s sea trials of John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)

HII (NYSE: HII) reports that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has successfully completed builder’s sea trials of the John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

CVN 79 returned to NNS after testing important ship systems and components at sea for the first time.

“Taking Kennedy to sea is a testament to the grit and determination of the world’s finest shipbuilders,” said Derek Murphy, NNS vice president of new construction aircraft carrier programs. “Our nation is depending on us to deliver these critical assets that will protect freedom around the world and we’re proud to see CVN 79 take another step toward joining the fleet.”

“Seeing this Navy-industry team take CVN 79 to sea for the first time was nothing short of thrilling,” said Rear Adm. Casey Moton, the Navy’s Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers (PEO CVN). “Thanks to the tireless efforts of thousands of proud American workers across the maritime industrial base, we are one step closer to delivering another Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier to the fleet.”

Throughout the builder’s sea trials, sailors from the Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) assigned to John F. Kennedy, shipbuilders from NNS, and personnel from the Navy’s Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP), Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), and PEO CVN worked side-by-side testing many of the ship’s key systems and technologies.

Prior to getting underway, reports PEO CVN, John F. Kennedy conducted a five-day “fast cruise,” a multi-day pier side training evolution that brings the ship to life prior to getting underway during new construction or after an extended maintenance availability. This simulated underway period exercises the ship’s ability to operate at sea and affords the crew the opportunity to transition to an operational mindset before getting underway.

“There are millions of fingerprints contributing to this successful sea trial, both of the hard-working patriots who built this great ship and of the Sailors who are now bringing her to life,” said Capt. Doug Langenberg, commanding officer of PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). “John F. Kennedy going to sea for the first time is truly momentous. This event is a result of years of hard work and an incredible shared effort between our shipbuilding partners and this crew who have worked side-by-side to get to this day. I’m proud of this crew and this opportunity to finally take this ship to sea where she belongs.”

With the conclusion of builder’s trials, the team will resume completion work while also addressing any issues identified during trials. The next major milestone for the ship will be acceptance trials, the timeline for which is currently under review.

“We’re making steady progress towards completion of the ship with all required capability,” said Capt. Mark Johnson, the Navy’s Program Manager for Gerald R. Ford-class New Construction. “We continue to work closely with the shipbuilder to ensure that the nation’s next aircraft carrier is delivered to the Navy on the fastest possible path to combat readiness.”

The post Newport News completes successful builder’s sea trials of John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) appeared first on Marine Log.