The U.S. Navy on Wednesday accepted delivery of the newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).
The Navy announced that the Ford successfully completed her sea trials on May 26.
"Congratulations to everyone who has helped bring CVN 78 to this historic milestone," said Rear Adm. Brian Antonio, program executive officer for aircraft carriers. "Over the last several years, thousands of people have had a hand in delivering Ford to the Navy—designing, building, and testing the Navy's newest, most capable, most advanced warship."
Newport News Shipbuilding has been the primary builder of the Ford and Naval Sea Systems Command has overseen the process.
The Nimitz Class was the last new American aircraft carrier designed delivered to the Navy—in 1975. Construction on the Ford began in 2009.
The Ford will need to undergo further testing, as well as training for the new crew on the ship's new systems.
The newest carrier will be commissioned during the summer and is the lead ship of the new high-tech Gerald Ford class, whose carriers will have a greater capability for flight operations and the ability to install new technologies as they are developed.
She is expected to be operational in 2020 and have a 50-year service life.
UPDATE: June 5, 12:44 P.M.: The article now shows that the Nimitz Class was the last carrier class designed for the Navy prior to the Ford Class.