February 4, 2026
HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding Completes Successful Builder’s Sea Trials of John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., (Feb, 4, 2026) — HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has successfully completed builder’s sea trials of John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
Kennedy 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.”
The sea trials brought together NNS shipbuilders, John F. Kennedy sailors and Navy personnel to execute the testing and demonstrate ship operations.
CVN 79 continues the legacy of highly capable nuclear-powered aircraft carrier platforms. Ford-class enhancements incorporated into the design support increased operational efficiency and reduced manning requirements. The Ford class also features a new nuclear power plant, and increased electrical power-generation capacity.
HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has successfully completed builder’s sea trials of John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (Photo by Ricky Thompson/HII).
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About HII
HII is America's Seapower Company. The nation’s largest shipbuilder, HII builds the manned and unmanned maritime systems and all-domain mission technologies that project U.S. and allied power around the world. With a more than 140-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII is headquartered in Virginia and employs 46,000 people across three divisions.
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