A christening ceremony was conducted for the latest wonder of the U.S. Navy USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) on December 7, 2019, in Newport News, Virginia. The christening gave John F. Kennedy the distinction of becoming the second aircraft carrier to join the Gerald R. Ford class, which is soon to relieve the most senior serving aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) when the latter retires.
The christening ceremony also will feature remarks by former NASA Administrator Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden, USMC (Ret.), who also will provide the keynote address. The ship’s sponsor, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy, will break a bottle of American sparkling wine against the hull of the ship, a time-honored Navy tradition.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly commented on the strategic significance of the newest carrier: “USS John F. Kennedy will carry the legacy of its namesake and the power of our nation.” He addressed the advanced technology and warfighting capability this carrier brings to the fleet that would further enhance the global reach of the U.S. Navy and strengthen alliances.
The firsts for advanced technology in the class include a new propulsion system, electric plant, Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), and integrated warfare systems. Rear Adm. James P. Downey, program executive officer for Aircraft Carriers declared, “I am so proud of what the shipbuilding team has accomplished, from the engineering and planning to the sailing of this warship.
Measuring 1,092 feet in length and weighing 100,000 tons, the CVN 79 features more than 23 new technologies that greatly enhance its performance. These are likely to make possible a 33 percent increase in the sortie generation rate over Nimitz-class carriers, which yields overall cost savings. The class of carriers is anticipated to save approximately $4 billion per ship in the life cycle of operations and support costs.
It awarded General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems a contract for the sustainment of EMALS and AAG systems aboard Ford-class carriers. This contract represents the transition from design and development to a production and sustainment focus, ensuring these systems meet mission requirements throughout the life of the fleet, said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS.
The Ford-class carriers, including the future USS John F. Kennedy, are designed to enhance airpower projection and efficiency. To date, the EMALS and AAG systems together have launched and recovered over 2,300 aircraft aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). These aircraft launch and recovery systems will yield remarkable savings in cost and operational efficiencies throughout the fleet.
The Ford-class carriers represent an enormous investment of money: each vessel costs US$13 billion, while the overall program has topped US$120-plus billion. Despite the hefty price, the most advanced features of these carriers are projected to have long-term benefits: higher sortie generation rates, reduced manpower, and lower maintenance needs.
In this regard, while the U.S. Navy prepares for future challenges, the USS John F. Kennedy serves as the harbinger of innovation and strategic foresight. With advanced technology and a warfighting capability, it would change naval warfare and mean a more capable and lethal forward-deployed U.S. naval presence in great power competition.