The U.S. Navy’s first Ford-class aircraft carrier, the future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), has begun its first set of sea trials.
The builder’s sea trials started April 8 at Huntington Ingalls Industries [HII] Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., and are expected to last “several days,” Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) said. The activity will allow the Navy and industry to test the ship’s key systems at sea for the first time.
“The Navy and our industry partners are excited to have the future USS Gerald R. Ford underway under her own power for the first time, executing a rigorous and comprehensive test program for this first-of-class ship,” said Rear Adm. Brian Antonio, program executive officer for aircraft carriers.
An aerial video shows about two minutes of the builder’s trials. “Depending on what we find” in those tests, the builder’s trials will be followed two to four weeks later by the Navy’s sea trials, said Vice Adm. Thomas Moore, NAVSEA’s commander.
The Navy expects to take delivery of the carrier in late April or May and hold a commissioning ceremony this summer, Moore told reporters last week. Fixed-wing aircraft will not begin landing on or taking off from the carrier until after delivery.