# CVN 78 Class Test & Evaluation (T&E)

**R-2A activity** of project 2208 — CVN 21  
**Program element:** 0604112N — Gerald R FORD CI NUC Aircraft Carrier CVN 78-80  
**Component:** U.S. Navy · **Budget Activity:** 4  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604112N/2208/a1  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604112N/2208

## Summary

This activity requests $45.3M in FY2027, 56% of project 2208, up 37% on FY2026. The R-2A exhibit describes it across FY2026–FY2027, including what the FY2027 money is planned to buy.

## What the FY2027 request buys

**FY2027 planned work.** Due to changes in the operational schedule of CVN 78, Operational Testing (OT) was not finalized. Continue Seastrike Seabasing Aviation Model (SSAM) analysis to demonstrate Ford Class SGR Key Performance Parameter (KPP). Complete initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) analysis and reporting. Continue reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) studies on CVN 78 class. Continue to collect reliability data on new and legacy systems. Conduct CVN 79 Developmental (DT) / Integrated (IT) cyber testing on developed models and conduct cyber survivability OT on CVN 79. Update the testbed for raid analysis. Continue platform integration testing of CVN 79 with new air wing of the future capabilities. Procure missiles in support of the CVN 79 platform combat systems test event in FY 2028.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Increase is due to missile procurement costs supporting the combat system test which includes multiple live fire missile exercises and tracking exercises.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Procure test articles for CVN 79 platform combat system testing. Plan CVN 79 platform combat system testing against low/slow flyers, small boats, and anti-ship cruise missiles. Continue verification of SGR model and analysis from data collected during the SGR Sustained Demo test event. Continue RAM studies on CVN 78 class. Continue to collect reliability data on new and legacy systems. Validate Developmental Test (DT) cyber testing models and continue planning of cyber survivability OT on CVN 79. Perform platform integration testing of CVN 79 with new air wing of the future capabilities. Perform suitabilty testing for F-35 on CVN 79.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 18.5 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 33.1 |
| FY2027 | Request | 45.3 |

> Prior, current and budget year only — an R-2A activity carries no five-year plan. It sums exactly into its project in the request year and not necessarily in any other.

## Other activities in project 2208

- [CVN 78 Class Systems Analysis & Total Ship Integration](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604112N/2208/a3) — FY2027 19.6
- CVN 78 Class Digital Transformation — FY2027 8.6
- CVN 78 Class Transformation and Affordability — FY2027 7.8

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Navy RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 0604112N project 2208 (PB PB2027). Narrative is the government's own text.
- **No marks, no contractors at this grain** — congressional marks land on the program element and R-3 performers on the project.
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_activity`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*