Newport News President: Carrier JFK Could Start Sea Trials in Early 2026, Shipyard Retention Improving

Newport News President: Carrier JFK Could Start Sea Trials in Early 2026, Shipyard Retention Improving

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The next Ford-class aircraft carrier is set to go to sea for the first time early next year and employee retention is improving, the president of HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding told USNI News this week. Following the keel laying ceremony of the future USS Barb (SSN-804), Newport News Shipbuilding president Kari Wilkinson said the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) is preparing for sea trials in January. “[The] ship’s force …