Part 8/12:
A key milestone occurred on February 14, 2024, when the Kennedy successfully conducted dead load launches—tests that verify the interfaces and systems for aircraft launch and recovery without actual aircraft onboard. This step is crucial before operational testing and eventual commissioning.
Furthermore, Kennedy introduces the Spy 6V3 3D radar system, the first carrier to do so, providing enhanced situational awareness and targeting accuracy. Its advanced weapon elevators, driven by linear motors, can move 24,000-pound ordinance loads at over 150 feet per minute—more than double the capacity of legacy systems.