On February 4, 2026, HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division successfully concluded builder’s sea trials of the John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the second vessel in the Gerald R. Ford–class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier series. The week-long trials tested propulsion, combat systems and electrical power-generation capacity, with more than 2,600 shipbuilders, Kennedy sailors and Navy personnel at sea. Key milestones included verification of the new A1B nuclear reactor’s performance under full load and demonstration of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) in operational conditions. Newport News teams logged over 1,200 hours of testing and completed 95 percent of critical punch-list items before the ship’s return to dry dock.

CVN 79 marks the second of ten Ford-class carriers contracted at a total program value exceeding $110 billion. Successful sea trials de-risk the final outfitting and delivery phase, supporting HII’s 2026 order backlog of approximately $34 billion. With the carrier now on track for Navy acceptance in mid-2026, HII anticipates revenue recognition of roughly 15 percent of the contract value in the current fiscal year. The trials also underscore HII’s ability to integrate advanced nuclear propulsion and next-generation combat systems, reinforcing the company’s positioning for future multi-billion-dollar naval construction awards.

The Ford-class enhancements incorporated into CVN 79 reflect a 25 percent increase in electrical power generation and a reduction in crew complement by more than 600 personnel compared to the Nimitz class. Derek Murphy, vice president of new construction aircraft carrier programs, credited HII’s 44,000-strong workforce and 140-year shipbuilding legacy for achieving these efficiencies. Production metrics at Newport News show a 10 percent improvement in construction cycle time on Ford-class units since CVN 78, driven by modular fabrication and lean labor processes.