Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning NEWPORT NEWS, VA - APRIL 8: In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is seen underway on its own power for the first time on April 8, 2017 in Newport News, Virginia. The first-of-class ship -- the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years -- will spend several days conducting builder's sea trials, a comprehensive test of many of the ship's key systems and technologies. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)Photo by: U.S. Navy Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) floats in the James River after being launched from dry dock at Newport News Shipbuilding, 11/17/2013. The ship will tied to an outfitting pier at the shipyard for equipment installation and testing. The carrier is scheduled for commissioning in 2015. The Ford is the first ship of a new class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers built by Newport News Shipbuilding for the U. S. Navy. Photo by Chris Oxley, Newport News Shipbuilding.Photo by: Chris Oxley Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning Mar 20, 2013 - Shipbuilders work night shift on Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) shortly after the mast is added to the island. Photo by John WhalenPhoto by: Photo by John Whalen Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning NEWPORT NEWS, VA - APRIL 8: In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is seen underway on its own power for the first time on April 8, 2017 in Newport News, Virginia. The first-of-class ship -- the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years -- will spend several days conducting builder's sea trials, a comprehensive test of many of the ship's key systems and technologies. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)Photo by: U.S. Navy Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning The lower bow unit for the aircraft carrier, Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is lifted in place 5/24/2102. The Ford, the first ship in a new class of nuclear-powered carriers is under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding. Photo by Ricky Thompson, Newport News Shipbuilding.Photo by: Photo By Ricky Thompson Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning Jan 26, 2013 - Gerald R. Ford's island is lifted by the shipyard's 'Big Blue' crane, rated to lift 1,050 metric tons. Photo by Ricky ThompsonPhoto by: Photo By Ricky Thompson Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning NEWPORT NEWS, VA - APRIL 8: In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) departs Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding for builder's sea trials off the U.S. East Coast on April 8, 2017 in Newport News, Virginia (Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Christopher Delano/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)Photo by: U.S. Navy Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning Apr 9, 2013 - The addition of CVN 78's upper bow, weighing 787 metric tons, brings CVN 78 to 96 percent structural completion.Photo by: Photo by John Whalen Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning The sun rises over the south end of the shipyard, featuring Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and the VASCIC building. Photo by Ricky ThompsonPhoto by: Photo By Ricky Thompson Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning NEWPORT NEWS, VA - APRIL 8: In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, sailors aboard the aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) man the rails as the ship departs Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding for builder's sea trials off the U.S. East Coast on April 8, 2017 in Newport News, Virginia. (Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Christopher Delano/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)Photo by: U.S. Navy Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning Apr 9, 2013 - The addition of CVN 78's upper bow, weighing 787 metric tons, brings CVN 78 to 96 percent structural completion.Photo by: Photo by John Whalen Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning On Jun 16, Ship's Sponsor Susan Ford Bales participated in a demonstration of the new electromagnetic catapults on the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), giving the signal to launch weighted sleds off the ship into the James River. Photo by Chris OxleyPhoto by: Chris Oxley Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning NEWPORT NEWS, VA - APRIL 8: In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is seen underway on its own power for the first time on April 8, 2017 in Newport News, Virginia. The first-of-class ship -- the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years -- will spend several days conducting builder's sea trials, a comprehensive test of many of the ship's key systems and technologies. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)Photo by: U.S. Navy Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning NORFOLK, VA - APRIL 14: In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk and approaches its berth next to the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), left, and USS George Washington (CVN 73) after returning from Builder's Sea Trials and seven days underway. (Photo by Ridge Leoni/US NAvy via Getty Images)Photo by: U.S. Navy Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning NEWPORT NEWS, VA - APRIL 8: In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is seen underway on its own power for the first time on April 8, 2017 in Newport News, Virginia. The first-of-class ship -- the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years -- will spend several days conducting builder's sea trials, a comprehensive test of many of the ship's key systems and technologies. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)Photo by: U.S. Navy Photos: See the USS Gerald R. Ford ahead of commissioning NEWPORT NEWS, VA - APRIL 8: In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is seen underway on its own power for the first time on April 8, 2017 in Newport News, Virginia. The first-of-class ship -- the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years -- will spend several days conducting builder's sea trials, a comprehensive test of many of the ship's key systems and technologies. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)Photo by: U.S. Navy