U.S. Navy says John F. Kennedy carrier gains preliminary acceptance for sea testing ahead of formal delivery in spring 2027

The US Navy granted preliminary acceptance of the future USS John F Kennedy, allowing the carrier to begin government-supervised sea testing before formal delivery planned for spring 2027. Huntington Ingalls will retain responsibility for completing outstanding work, including four advanced weapons elevators, while the ship undergoes evaluation at sea. This milestone is therefore an interim custody and testing step, not commissioning or final acceptance of the second Gerald R Ford-class carrier. Sea trials will test propulsion, navigation, aviation support, and other ship functions before the Navy accepts remaining risk.