America’s Next Supercarrier Just Completed Its First Sea Trials

USS John F Kennedy departing for a period of time at sea undergoing builder’s trials. Credit: HII

The future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) has successfully completed its Builder’s Sea Trials, marking the first time the massive warship has gone to sea and a major milestone for the U.S. Navy’s next generation of aircraft carriers.

The trials were completed on February 4 off the coast of Virginia and took place after years of construction at Newport News Shipbuilding. The ship is the second vessel in the Gerald R. Ford class, a program designed to replace aging Nimitz class carriers while delivering greater combat capability, improved survivability, and lower long term operating costs over a projected 50 year service life.

Builder’s Sea Trials are a critical phase in the shipbuilding process. During this period, the carrier operates at sea for the first time while engineers, shipbuilders, and Navy personnel evaluate propulsion, navigation, communications, and other essential systems. For the John F. Kennedy, the trials involved Sailors from the ship’s pre commissioning unit working alongside industry experts and representatives from the Naval Sea Systems Command, according to the Defence Visual Information Distribution Service.

Before heading out to sea, the crew also completed a five day “Fast Cruise,” a pier side exercise that simulates underway operations. The goal is to help the crew transition from construction mode to an operational mindset, ensuring systems and personnel are ready for real world conditions.

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kaitlin Young | Pre-Commissioning Unit John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) transits the Atlantic Ocean during Builder’s Sea Trials, Jan. 28, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kaitlin Young)

Rear Adm. Casey Moton, Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers, described the milestone as a major achievement for the Navy and its industrial partners. He said the successful trials reflected the combined effort of thousands of workers across the American maritime industrial base who helped bring the ship to life.

Commanding officer Capt. Doug Langenberg echoed that sentiment, calling the first sea voyage a momentous event. He emphasized that years of work by shipbuilders and Sailors had finally culminated in the carrier operating where it was designed to be, at sea.

With Builder’s Sea Trials complete, work on the ship will continue as engineers address any issues identified during testing. The next major phase will be Acceptance Trials, where the Navy conducts its own evaluation before formally taking ownership of the vessel. The timeline for that stage is still under review.

Once commissioned, the John F. Kennedy will represent one of the most powerful warships ever built, reinforcing U.S. naval aviation and global presence for decades to come.