New American Carrier Undergoing Tests

Why It Matters

Kennedy’s successful launch will restore the Navy’s carrier count and validate the costly Ford‑class upgrades, influencing future shipbuilding budgets and strategic readiness.

Key Takeaways

• Sea trials started February 2026 for USS John F. Kennedy.
• Delays stem from elevators, catapults, arresting gear issues.
• Program cost rose to $13.2 billion from $11.3 billion.
• New AN/SPY‑6(V)3 radar replaces Ford’s problematic DBR.
• Navy needs 12 carriers; currently down to 11.

Pulse Analysis

The Ford‑class program was launched to replace the aging Nimitz fleet with carriers that integrate electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS), advanced arresting gear, and next‑generation radar. While the lead ship USS Gerald R. Ford entered service in 2017, its own set of integration problems has become a cautionary tale. USS John F. Kennedy, the second unit, finally slipped into the water for sea trials after a decade of schedule slips caused by elevator malfunctions, EMALS reliability concerns, and a redesigned arresting cable system. These technical hurdles have driven the delivery date from an original 2022 target to mid‑2026 and inflated the contract price by nearly $2 billion.

The timing of Kennedy’s entry is crucial because U.S. law mandates a twelve‑carrier force to sustain power‑projection in a contested environment. With the decommissioning of USS Nimitz scheduled for 2025, the Navy would temporarily fall to ten operational supercarriers if Kennedy’s launch falters. Maintaining the full complement safeguards forward‑deployed strike groups, ensures redundancy in crisis scenarios, and preserves the United States’ ability to control sea lanes. Moreover, a fully functional Ford‑class carrier validates the massive investment in EMALS and the AN/SPY‑6(V)3 radar, influencing future procurement decisions.

Looking ahead, the Navy has already laid keels for USS Enterprise and USS Doris Miller, with service entry projected for 2030, and plans for USS William Clinton and USS George W. Bush are on the books. Lessons learned from Kennedy’s protracted development are expected to streamline those programs, reducing the risk of cost overruns and schedule delays. Successful integration of the new technologies will also shape the next generation of amphibious assault ships and potentially accelerate the shift toward unmanned carrier air wings, reinforcing U.S. maritime dominance for decades.