New carrier USS JFK CVN 79 sailed under its own power for the first time yesterday

[1srelluc]

Next U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Sets Sail for Sea Trials

The next Gerald R. Ford class supercarrier, to be known as the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), set sail under its own power from Newport News for the first

theaviationist.com

The next Gerald R. Ford class supercarrier, to be known as the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), set sail under its own power from Newport News for the first time on Jan. 28, 2026 to begin manufacturer sea trials.

Ahead of scheduled delivery to the U.S. Navy in March 2027, which will come with its own set of sea trials, these initial tests will certify the 100,000 tonne behemoth's major systems and components under close watch from specialist Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) personnel.

And right into a major east coast storm? Okey Dokey, we will see how she fairs.

I wonder how many ships left harbor? it's not that unusual when a hurricane approaches, don't know about a white-out snow storm with 60+ mph winds.

 

[Darkwind]

Meh. If she (He - JFK) cannot weather a little storm, she shouldn't be afloat.

 

[Stryder50]

Meh. If she (He - JFK) cannot weather a little storm, she shouldn't be afloat.

A lot depends upon the quality and training of the crew in such a scenario.
Ships are not self-animate entities.
Hopefully many of the USN's best are in on this shakedown cruise.

 

[1srelluc]

Breaking News….

Carrier to be named USS TRUMP/jfk

You can't help yourself can you?

 

[rightwinger]

You can't help yourself can you?

Couldn’t pass that one up

Funny part is that it could happen
Imagine if a year ago I posted the Kennedy Center would be renamed for TRUMP

 

[1srelluc]

Meh. If she (He - JFK) cannot weather a little storm, she shouldn't be afloat.

Why are ships that are named after men always referred to as "she"?

I get why the Queen Mary would be and could even give a mulligan to ships that are not named after men like Titanic or the USS United States but it would seem to me that a ship named after a man should be referred to as "he".

 

[Darkwind]

A lot depends upon the quality and training of the crew in such a scenario.
Ships are not self-animate entities.
Hopefully many of the USN's best are in on this shakedown cruise.

If I remember right, they should have a crew that is expert on maritime sea worthy trials. I'm pretty sure the storm brewing will give an Aircraft Carrier, not matter how green, any problem.

If ishe can't, they should never have launched her.

 

[1srelluc]

Couldn’t pass that one up

Funny part is that it could happen
Imagine if a year ago I posted the Kennedy Center would be renamed for TRUMP

Thread derail all the same.

 

[Darkwind]

Why are ships that are named after men always referred to as "she"?

I get why the Queen Mary would be and could even give a mulligan to ships that are not named after men like Titanic or the USS United States but it would seem to me that a ship named after a man should be referred to as "he".

It's always been tradition to call any 'vessel' she. I see no reason to break with that practice.

 

[Failzero]

A 13 Carrier Fleet by 2028 ?

 

[citygator]

Thanks Biden!

 

[Stryder50]

Why are ships that are named after men always referred to as "she"?

I get why the Queen Mary would be and could even give a mulligan to ships that are not named after men like Titanic or the USS United States but it would seem to me that a ship named after a man should be referred to as "he".

A centuries old tradition.
As to the why, interesting question to look into.
Assuming records from centuries/millennia ago will answer.

 

[Darkwind]

A 13 Carrier Fleet by 2028 ?

Yeah, that won't happen. What do we have now? Three carrier groups? Four?

Takes a very long time and a lot of money to build one.

 

[Failzero]

Yeah, that won't happen. What do we have now? Three carrier groups? Four?

Takes a very long time and a lot of money to build one.

We currently have 11 ( One keel is layed already on another and the one mentioned by the OP is either 11 or 12

 

[rightwinger]

Thread derail all the same.

Ya see…It is a joke

Let me explain it to you
The guy you voted for likes to name things after himself
Even things named to honor JFK

 

[Darkwind]

We currently have 11 ( One keel is layed already on another and the one mentioned by the OP is either 11 or 12

??

I thought I read late last year that we had only 3. Huh, maybe we do have that many. I'll have to go look it up.

 

[Failzero]

??

I thought I read late last year that we had only 3. Huh, maybe we do have that many. I'll have to go look it up.

Dude the UK has like 3 , WTF are you thinkin ? We have had 4 in the Pacific fleet 5 in the Atlantic fleet , one going through Panama Canal and one in for refit / Upgrades usually every time I looked ( with a Keel or two in the works for years )

 

[TheInfiniteSadness]

Breaking News….

Carrier to be renamed USS TRUMP/jfk

Actually they're naming the heads after him and his picture will be on each sheet of toilet paper

 

[Concerned American]

If I remember right, they should have a crew that is expert on maritime sea worthy trials. I'm pretty sure the storm brewing will give an Aircraft Carrier, not matter how green, any problem.

If ishe can't, they should never have launched her.

The JFK is nuclear powered with two nuclear reactors providing propulsion.

 

[Darkwind]

Dude the UK has like 3 , WTF are you thinkin ? We have had 4 in the Pacific fleet 5 in the Atlantic fleet , one going through Panama Canal and one in for refit / Upgrades usually every time I looked ( with a Keel or two in the works for years )

We have been decommissioning many naval assets, including many carriers. As I said, I remember reading somewhere, I don't recall where, but it wasn't a clown resource like most of the lefts, that we were down to three. So, I just went and asked and this is what was returned.

The United States Navy maintains 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in active service, which form the core of its carrier strike groups. While all 11 are considered active, generally only about 3 to 4 are deployed simultaneously due to maintenance cycles and training, with others in repair, working up, or in port.
Key Operational Details:

• Total Active Carriers: 11 (10 Nimitz-class, 1 Ford-class).
• Active Deployment: As of early 2026, carriers like the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), USS George Washington (CVN-73), and others are typically deployed in regions such as the Indo-Pacific and Middle East.
• Forward Deployment: One carrier, the USS George Washington, is permanently forward-deployed in Yokosuka, Japan.
• Maintenance Cycle: The Navy follows a "one-third rule," where for every carrier deployed, others are in training or undergoing maintenance.
• Status Changes: USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) is undergoing a midlife refueling/overhaul, with return expected in late 2026.

The fleet is mandated by law to maintain at least 11 operational carriers to meet global, strategic demands.

So, I misremembered. We have 3 Operational carriers. The other 8 are in maintenance cycles and/or training.

So in effect, we have only three, but I'm pretty sure tha tthe Navy can get the other eight out to see inside a fortnight.