HII (NYSE: HII) announced that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has completed acceptance sea trials of John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

The ship returned to Newport News Shipbuilding following testing and evaluation of ship systems and components at sea. Earlier in 2026, Kennedy underwent builder's sea trials.

"It is an honor to take Kennedy to sea to demonstrate the quality work and commitment by our shipbuilders," said Derek Murphy, Newport News Shipbuilding vice president of new construction aircraft carrier programs. "This critical set of sea trials is a testament to the entire nuclear shipbuilding enterprise and the work of thousands across our country to prepare CVN 79 to join the fleet."

The sea trials involved Newport News Shipbuilding shipbuilders, John F. Kennedy sailors, and Navy personnel conducting testing and evaluation of ship operations.

With acceptance trials complete, the next step for the vessel is preliminary acceptance, which would allow the Navy to begin underway test and evaluation of Kennedy's systems.