John F. Kennedy CVN 79 Aircraft Carrier

Full Specifications

The John F. Kennedy CVN 79 is the second ship of the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Built by Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, the carrier is designed to provide sea-based airpower, forward presence, maritime security, power projection, and support for joint operations.

At 1,092 feet long and approximately 100,000 long tons, CVN 79 is designed to operate at more than 30 knots. Its nuclear propulsion provides long endurance without the need for routine refueling, allowing the carrier to remain deployed for extended periods when supported by logistics and crew requirements.

Carrier Aviation and Technology

CVN 79 uses the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), replacing traditional steam catapults. EMALS provides computer-controlled aircraft launches and is designed to support aircraft ranging from unmanned systems to heavy strike fighters. The carrier also incorporates the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) for aircraft recovery.

Its sensor and defensive architecture includes the AN/SPY-6(V)3 Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar, Ship Self Defense System, Rolling Airframe Missiles, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles, and Phalanx close-in weapon systems. The carrier can accommodate an air wing of more than 75 aircraft, including strike fighters, electronic warfare aircraft, airborne early warning aircraft, and helicopters.

As of August 2026, CVN 79 remains a future carrier rather than a commissioned U.S. Navy ship. It completed builder’s sea trials in February and departed Newport News on August 12, 2026, for acceptance trials. The Navy’s FY2026 budget documentation estimated total procurement cost at approximately $13.2 billion and scheduled delivery for March 2027.