HII announces 80% completion of John F. Kennedy carrier
Newport News Shipbuilding division is progressing through construction of the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). (Photo: Huntington Ingalls Industries)
HII has passed a significant milestone in the construction of the John F. Kennedy carrier, one of four Gerald R Ford-class carriers ordered by the USN.
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has announced that significant progress has been made in the compartment and systems construction of the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy.
Over 20% of the works on compartments have been completed, turning over to the ship’s crew more than 500 of the total 2,615 spaces.
It has also installed more than 8,000,000ft of cable (more than 1,500 miles) of the approximately 10,500,000ft of cable.
So far, the berthing, machinery, electrical and other spaces have been completed. This allows sailors assigned to the pre-commissioning unit to continue training on the ship while final outfitting and testing progresses.
More than 80% of the total work on the Kennedy has been completed; delivery to the USN is scheduled for 2024.
The Kennedy aircraft carrier is part of the Gerald R Ford-class of next-generation carriers designed to replace USS Enterprise and Nimitz-class carriers.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the Congressional Research Service has estimated the costs of Kennedy at $11.3 billion.
These ships will be at the forefront of US power projection over the next 50 years as they enter service, employing new technologies that will enhance operational capabilities far beyond their predecessors.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Navantia pitches 64-cell F110 frigate and sets out plans for 75m autonomous vessel]()
Navantia pitches 64-cell F110 frigate and sets out plans for 75m autonomous vessel
With its second F110 frigate launched four months early, the Spanish shipbuilder is courting allied navies with a missile-defence upgrade and a 75m uncrewed vessel.
-
![‘Now Europe is a market’: Fincantieri sees new opportunities closer to home]()
‘Now Europe is a market’: Fincantieri sees new opportunities closer to home
Fincantieri naval vessels chief Eugenio Santagata spoke to Shephard about opportunities and how they sit within a portfolio backed by a “strong backlog”, as Euronaval 2026 unfolded.
-
![US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine]()
US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine
NAVSEA is exploring AI-assisted design for a larger, stealthier submarine with increased weapons capacity and uncrewed-system integration, with lead-boat procurement envisaged from 2040.
-
![ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign]()
ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign
A six-ship home order, agreements with Saab, Naval Group and Babcock and spare yard capacity underpin the group’s first Euronaval bid for smaller European navies.
