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

Preliminary acceptance is the final step before formal delivery to the U.S. Navy. It allows the Navy to begin underway test and evaluation of the carrier's systems and for the crew to develop operational proficiency. CVN 79 completed acceptance trials in August.

The carrier departed Newport News Shipbuilding and will transition to Naval Station Norfolk.

Bryan Caccavale, Newport News Shipbuilding vice president of program management, said in a statement: "Achieving preliminary acceptance is another step toward ensuring the U.S. Navy has the aircraft carriers it needs to carry out the mission of defending our nation."