Intro
Discover the USS John F. Kennedy CVN-79, the US Navys latest Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier. Explore its cutting-edge technology, advanced combat systems, and enhanced carrier strike capabilities. Learn about its design, features, and benefits, including electromagnetic aircraft launch, advanced arresting gear, and increased sortie generation rate.
The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is a Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier currently under construction by Huntington Ingalls Industries at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. The ship is the second of the Ford-class carriers and is expected to be commissioned in 2024. The USS John F. Kennedy will be the replacement for the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), which is scheduled to retire in 2024.
Overview of the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)
The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is a significant improvement over the previous Nimitz-class carriers, with a host of new technologies and design improvements. The ship will be powered by two Bechtel A1B nuclear reactors, which will provide enough energy to power a small city. The reactors will be more efficient and quieter than those on the Nimitz-class carriers.
Design and Construction
The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) has a displacement of approximately 100,000 tons and is 1,106 feet (337 meters) long. The ship has a beam of 257 feet (78 meters) and a draft of 30 feet (9 meters). The ship's superstructure is designed to be more streamlined, reducing wind resistance and making it more efficient.
The construction of the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) began in 2011, with the keel laying ceremony taking place on August 22, 2015. The ship was christened on December 7, 2019, and is currently undergoing fitting out and testing.
Advanced Technologies
The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) features a number of advanced technologies, including:
- Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS): This system uses electromagnetic catapults to launch aircraft, replacing the traditional steam catapults used on Nimitz-class carriers.
- Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG): This system uses a water-cooled induction motor to slow down landing aircraft, making it more efficient and safer than the traditional arresting gear used on Nimitz-class carriers.
- Dual-Band Radar (DBR): This system uses a combination of X-band and S-band radar frequencies to provide improved radar performance and situational awareness.
- Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR): This system provides improved air surveillance capabilities, including the ability to detect and track stealth aircraft.
Improved Aircraft Handling
The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) features a number of improvements in aircraft handling, including:
- Increased aircraft capacity: The ship can carry up to 75 aircraft, compared to the 64 aircraft carried by Nimitz-class carriers.
- Improved aircraft sortie rate: The ship's advanced technologies and design improvements allow for a higher aircraft sortie rate, making it more efficient and effective.
- Reduced manning: The ship's advanced automation and robotics reduce the need for manual labor, allowing for a smaller crew.
Mission and Capabilities
The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is designed to perform a variety of missions, including:
- Power projection: The ship can launch aircraft to conduct a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, and reconnaissance.
- Maritime superiority: The ship can conduct maritime superiority missions, including the ability to detect and track surface and subsurface threats.
- Humanitarian assistance: The ship can provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, including the ability to transport personnel, equipment, and supplies.
Improved Survivability
The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) features a number of improvements in survivability, including:
- Advanced armor: The ship's advanced armor provides improved protection against ballistic missiles and other threats.
- Reduced radar cross-section: The ship's design improvements reduce its radar cross-section, making it more difficult to detect.
- Improved countermeasures: The ship's advanced countermeasures, including electronic warfare and decoy systems, provide improved protection against air and missile threats.
Crew and Accommodations
The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) has a crew of approximately 5,000 personnel, including officers, enlisted personnel, and civilians. The ship features improved accommodations, including:
- Advanced berthing: The ship's berthing areas are designed to be more comfortable and efficient, with improved lighting, ventilation, and sanitation.
- Improved galley: The ship's galley is designed to provide improved food service, with advanced cooking and refrigeration equipment.
- Advanced medical facilities: The ship's medical facilities are designed to provide improved medical care, with advanced equipment and personnel.
Training and Certification
The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) will undergo a comprehensive training and certification program, including:
- Pre-commissioning: The ship will undergo a series of tests and inspections to ensure that it is ready for commissioning.
- Commissioning: The ship will be officially commissioned into the US Navy.
- Post-commissioning: The ship will undergo a series of sea trials and training exercises to ensure that it is fully operational.
Gallery of USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)
USS John F. Kennedy CVN 79 Image Gallery
What is the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)?
+The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is a Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier currently under construction by Huntington Ingalls Industries at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.
What are the advanced technologies featured on the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)?
+The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) features a number of advanced technologies, including Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), Dual-Band Radar (DBR), and Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR).
What is the mission of the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)?
+The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is designed to perform a variety of missions, including power projection, maritime superiority, and humanitarian assistance.
The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is a significant improvement over the previous Nimitz-class carriers, with a host of new technologies and design improvements. The ship's advanced technologies, including EMALS, AAG, DBR, and EASR, provide improved aircraft handling, reduced manning, and improved survivability. The ship's mission is to perform a variety of tasks, including power projection, maritime superiority, and humanitarian assistance.