Overview
- CVN-79 left Newport News on Jan. 28 for initial builder’s sea trials, the first at-sea evaluation of its propulsion, launch and recovery, and other core systems.
- Navy budget documents place delivery in March 2027 after schedule shifts tied to Advanced Arresting Gear certification and continued Advanced Weapons Elevator work.
- The carrier fields next-generation systems including EMALS catapults, AAG, Advanced Weapons Elevators, and the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar that leverages AN/SPY-6 processing and gallium nitride technology.
- Designed to replace USS Nimitz, the ship is expected to operate F-35C aircraft and is slated for homeporting at Naval Base Kitsap, where about $150 million in upgrades are underway.
- HII says lessons from the lead ship are being applied through modular “superlift” construction, as the program’s delays are projected to leave the Navy with 10 carriers for a period while Nimitz begins decommissioning.