NNS Launches John F. Kennedy ( CVN 79)

Newport News Shipbuilding has launched John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the U. S. Navys newest nuclearpowered aircraft carrier, into the James River. With the aid of six tugboats, Kennedy was guided down the river about a mile from Dry Dock 12, where the ship has been under construction, to the shipyards Pier 3. There, the ship will undergo additional outfitting and begin its testing program three months ahead of its original schedule.