US Navy's New Gerald R. Ford Class Carried Christened USS John F. Kennedy

The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier was christened at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division on December 7.

It is the US Navy's second Gerald R. Ford class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

HII was awarded $3.35 billion for the detail design and construction of the stealthy USS John F. Kennedy in 2015. The carrier is  powered by two new-design AB1 nuclear reactors manufactured by Bechtel. This class of ships can reportedly house 90 aircraft that includes two squadrons of ten to twelve F-35C Joint Strike Fighters, two squadrons of ten to twelve F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, five EA-18G Growler electronic attack jets, four E-2D Hawkeye airborne early-warning and control aircraft, and two C-2 Greyhound carrier onboard delivery (COD) planes. It will also carry eight MH-60S Seahawk helicopters.