Acceptance trials are a series of crew-led tests conducted for the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey. The events are designed to demonstrate that the carrier was built in accordance with contract requirements and that its crew is sufficiently trained to operate the ship at sea.
“Over the last few days, the crew of the future USS John F. Kennedy performed incredibly well and have demonstrated that they are ready to put this ship to work for the Navy,” said Capt. Mark Johnson, Program Manager for Aircraft Carrier New Construction (PMS 378). “This milestone is a testament to the shared commitment of our sailors and our Navy-industry team, who remain dedicated to completing the final stages of construction with precision and efficiency.”
The next milestone for CVN 79 is Preliminary Acceptance, which will allow the Navy to begin underway testing and evaluation of systems unique to the aircraft carrier. The process will also allow the crew to build operational proficiency while remaining construction work continues.
The prime contractor will use that period to complete the four remaining advanced weapons elevators aboard John F. Kennedy. The Navy said this approach is intended to keep the carrier on the fastest possible path toward combat readiness.
Final delivery of John F. Kennedy is planned for spring 2027. The milestone will follow Preliminary Acceptance and continued testing of the carrier’s unique systems as construction moves through its final stages.
John F. Kennedy previously completed successful Builder’s Trials in February 2026. The latest acceptance trials therefore mark another major step in preparing the Navy’s second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier for delivery and subsequent fleet operations.
