NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Following successful completion of Acceptance Trials in August, the Navy has taken “preliminary acceptance” of the nation’s next aircraft carrier, the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) from Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII (HII-NNS) on Sept. 29.  

Preliminary acceptance will allow the ship and its crew to conduct at-sea testing and build underway proficiency while the shipbuilder completes final ship systems testing prior to formal delivery of the ship in Spring 2027. 

“Achieving preliminary acceptance marks a new phase for the ship and her crew, allowing them to get more water under the keel as they test and train underway, said CAPT Mark Johnson, the Navy’s Program Manager for Gerald R. Ford-Class New Construction.  “This milestone is a testament to the shared commitment of our sailors and our combined Navy-industry team, who remain laser-focused on completing the final stages of construction and test with precision and efficiency to deliver combat-ready lethality to the fleet.”

John F. Kennedy is approximately 99 percent complete. All major systems are complete.   The shipbuilder is currently completing final ship systems testing, including testing of the remaining four Advanced Weapons Elevators.  Preliminary acceptance allows CVN 79 to be delivered to the U.S. Navy on the fastest path possible to achieve combat readiness.

For 250 years, American naval power has projected strength globally, operating forward 24/7, 365 days a year. This operational tempo demands continuous capability, and the Fleet of the Future is our answer.

The Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) for Maritime is the single accountable organization for delivering surface ships for the U.S. Navy. This new centralized organizational construct will empower leaders with broader scope and greater authority to accelerate delivery of combat capability and ensure acquisition speed and discipline are driven by what the warfighter needs-when they need it.

From the Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) for Maritime, Sept. 29, 2026