U.S. Navy’s future USS John F. Kennedy completes propulsion test ahead of sea trials.

The future U.S. Navy USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the U.S. Navy’s second Ford-class aircraft carrier, has completed its first propulsion test on the James River in Virginia. The milestone marks the commencement of final pre-delivery trials, preceding sea testing in 2026.

Huntington Ingalls Industries confirmed on September 29, 2025, that the future U.S. Navy USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) aircraft carrier successfully completed its first propulsion turn test in the James River at Newport News, Virginia. The test marked the first time the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier activated its propulsion system to maneuver in water, a major step toward the builder’s sea trials scheduled for early 2026.
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U.S. Navy USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) aircraft carrier is maneuvered in the James River during its first propulsion turn test at Newport News Shipbuilding on September 29, 2025. This marks the carrier’s first controlled movement using its nuclear-powered propulsion system. (Picture source: HII)

During the test, tugboats maneuvered the 100,000-ton carrier from the pier into open water where the ship executed a controlled turn and was then returned to dockside. While external support was used for maneuvering, the propulsion system—powered by two A1B nuclear reactors—was activated to validate shaft engagement, alignment, vibration behavior, and thermal performance across all four propeller shafts. Engineers conducted system-wide diagnostics, including RPM calibration, bearing temperature monitoring, and auxiliary system load responses, to verify mechanical and electrical coordination under operational conditions.

To accompany this report, Army Recognition has embedded official video footage from Newport News Shipbuilding, offering a rare view of the ship in motion. The footage captures the physical scale of the vessel and provides visual confirmation of the propulsion system's operational activation. The test footage shows the ship’s massive hull moving through the James River during one of the most technically significant trials prior to open-ocean testing. The video also highlights coordination between shipyard teams and the U.S. Navy in executing this milestone.

Construction of CVN 79 began in August 2015 when Huntington Ingalls Industries initiated steel cutting at Newport News Shipbuilding, the only shipyard in the United States capable of building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The ship was formally laid down in the same year and reached its 50 percent structural completion milestone by 2017. It was christened in December 2019. The Ford-class program uses modular construction techniques, allowing for entire sections of the vessel—known as superlifts—to be pre-fabricated and assembled in dry dock. While this approach increases efficiency, it also adds complexity during the system integration and outfitting phases.

Originally planned for delivery in 2024, USS John F. Kennedy has experienced schedule delays, with commissioning now anticipated in March 2027. These delays have been attributed to the complexity of integrating multiple next-generation systems including EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System), the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), Dual Band Radar, and advanced command and control networks. Delays in software certification, testing protocols, and subsystem harmonization have further impacted progress. The result is a projected one-year gap in carrier availability following the scheduled retirement of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in 2026, which will temporarily reduce the carrier fleet from eleven to ten active platforms.

USS John F. Kennedy is designed to deliver expanded combat capabilities and operational flexibility for the 21st-century fleet. EMALS replaces traditional steam catapults, enabling more precise and efficient aircraft launches, including future unmanned platforms. The Advanced Arresting Gear provides greater recovery control and supports a broader range of aircraft weights. The carrier is equipped with the Dual Band Radar system, which merges multifunction radar and volume search radar into a single suite, enabling simultaneous airspace surveillance and missile engagement. The ship's propulsion system generates approximately 25 percent more power than Nimitz-class carriers, allowing margin for integration of future high-energy weapons such as directed-energy systems and advanced electronic warfare tools.

Once commissioned, CVN 79 will be home to Carrier Air Wing One, expected to include a mix of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, CMV-22B Ospreys, and F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters. The carrier will also support MQ-25 Stingray unmanned refueling drones and is compatible with future platforms under the Navy’s Next Generation Air Dominance program. With the Ford-class design supporting up to 25 percent more sorties per day compared to Nimitz-class carriers, USS John F. Kennedy will provide increased tactical aviation capacity and faster launch-recovery cycles in sustained operations.

With the propulsion test successfully completed, the ship now enters its final outfitting and integration phase. Upcoming builder’s trials will validate navigation, radar, communications, and damage control systems at sea, followed by Navy acceptance trials. Final delivery is set to restore full carrier force structure and reinforce the U.S. Navy’s ability to maintain persistent forward presence in high-threat maritime regions including the Indo-Pacific, Eastern Mediterranean, and North Atlantic.

The successful propulsion test signifies more than technical readiness. It is a strategic milestone in the U.S. Navy’s transition toward a next-generation carrier fleet designed to sustain dominance in high-end naval warfare environments.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.