Ford-Class: upcoming dates

Recent

• Defense10/01/2026@DefenseDesk

  Navy Takes Preliminary Acceptance of the Carrier John F. Kennedy as It Leaves Newport News

  Newport News Shipbuilding, 42nd Street, Newport News, Virginia, 23607, United StatesHuntington Ingalls Industries

  

  Starts 09/29/2026CONFIRMEDDate confidence: CONFIRMEDStated as firmHow firmly the source words the date: confirmed, scheduled, estimated, delayed or unverified.Show all CONFIRMED pins88% CONFIDENCEOverall confidence: 88%How well the pin's source and references back up its dates.Weighted average of how firmly 2 references, the source included, support the pin's start and end times; a reference counts half as much for every 180 days older than the newestShow all pins at 75% confidence or better3 days agoHII^[1] and Naval News^[2] both report preliminary acceptance and the departure for Norfolk on 29 September 2026.

  HII's Newport News Shipbuilding announced on 29 September 2026 that the second Gerald R. Ford-class carrier, John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), has reached preliminary acceptance and sailed for Naval Station Norfolk, the last step before formal delivery.

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• Defense10/01/2026@DefenseDesk

  Navy Awards HII $336 Million to Start Buying Parts for the Carrier William J. Clinton

  Newport News Shipbuilding, 42nd Street, Newport News, Virginia, 23607, United StatesHuntington Ingalls Industries

  

  Starts 09/04/2026CONFIRMEDDate confidence: CONFIRMEDStated as firmHow firmly the source words the date: confirmed, scheduled, estimated, delayed or unverified.Show all CONFIRMED pins85% CONFIDENCEOverall confidence: 85%How well the pin's source and references back up its dates.Weighted average of how firmly 2 references, the source included, support the pin's start and end times; a reference counts half as much for every 180 days older than the newestShow all pins at 75% confidence or better28 days agoArmy Recognition^[1] and The Defense Post^[2] both report the long-lead-materials award to HII in the first week of September 2026, dated 4 September.

  On 4 September 2026 the Navy gave Newport News Shipbuilding a $336 million undefinitized contract for reactor equipment, heavy forgings and propulsion hardware for CVN 82, the fifth Ford-class carrier, due to be laid down in 2027.

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• Defense09/27/2026@DefenseDesk

  Carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) Completes Acceptance Sea Trials

  Newport News Shipbuilding, 42nd Street, Newport News, Virginia, 23607, United StatesHuntington Ingalls Industries

  

  Starts 08/15/2026CONFIRMEDDate confidence: CONFIRMEDStated as firmHow firmly the source words the date: confirmed, scheduled, estimated, delayed or unverified.Show all CONFIRMED pins81% CONFIDENCEOverall confidence: 81%How well the pin's source and references back up its dates.Weighted average of how firmly 4 references, the source included, support the pin's start and end times; a reference counts half as much for every 180 days older than the newestShow all pins at 75% confidence or better48 days agoHII^[1][4] release datelined 'NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Aug. 15, 2026': HII 'announced today' that NNS 'has successfully completed acceptance sea trials of John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)'.

  HII's Newport News Shipbuilding completed acceptance sea trials of John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the second Gerald R. Ford-class carrier, clearing the way for the Navy's preliminary acceptance after delivery slipped from 2025.

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