The USS John F. Kennedy is 95% complete but problems with its electromagnetic catapult are causing delays, according to a report by the General Accountability Office.
The system is one of several new designs incorporated into the new Ford Class aircraft carriers. The USS Gerald R. Ford was also delayed several years. Among the carrier's issues were problems with the new catapult system.
The Kennedy was originally expected to be finished in 2022. The next carrier, Enterprise, is also expected to be delayed by at least two years to 2030. Navy leaders faulted lingering supply chain issues and a shortage of trained skilled workers.
Delays in delivery of the Kennedy account for half the $480 million cost increase in the carrier program in the last year, according to the GAO.
The new system replaces the steam-power catapults used on the Nimitz class carriers. The electromagnetic system allows planes to take off in a shorter time frame, increasing the number of planes the carrier can launch. It is also sensitive enough to launch smaller unmanned drones.
The GAO said “construction material availability and persistent shipyard workforce issues” continue to slow down production of new carriers at Huntington Ingalls Industry Newport News Shipyard. The shipyard is offering incentives and revising work schedules to keep the carriers on track. To avoid further delays, the Navy may also accept the ship with some non-essential work still incomplete, like painting.
HII Newport News spokesman Todd Corillo referred questions about the potential delivery delay for the Kennedy to the Navy. Despite recently furloughing 470 salaried workers, Newport News Shipbuilding is still recruiting skilled shipbuilders, Corillo said.
“We expect that improving efficiency and accountability among our salaried personnel will complement other steps we are taking in parallel to invest in infrastructure, workforce development, and wage increases among our craft workforce, and improve our overall shipbuilding performance,” he said.
The GAO report follows testimony to Congress in April where Navy leaders expressed similar concerns.
