The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) aircraft carrier successfully conducted a third explosive event off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida on 8 August 2021, marking the completion of the ship???s Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST). Shock Trials validate a ship???s shock hardness and ability to sustain operations in a simulated combat environment using live ordnance. During the four-month testing evolution, the first-in-class aircraft carrier withstood the impact of three 40,000-pound underwater blasts, released at distances progressively closer to the ship. ??sThe Navy designed the Ford-class carrier using advanced computer modeling methods, testing, and analysis to ensure the ships are hardened to withstand harsh battle conditions,??? said Capain. Brian Metcalf, manager for the Navy???s future aircraft carrier program office, PMS 378. ??sThese shock trials have tested the resiliency of Ford and her crew and provided extensive data used in the process of validating the shock hardness of the ship.??? Metcalf said that the goal of the tests is to ensure that Ford???s integrated combat systems perform as designed and added ??sthe tests demonstrated??"and proved to the crew, fairly dramatically??"that the ship will be able to withstand formidable shocks and continue to operate under extreme conditions.??? Rear Admiral James P. Downey, program executive officer for aircraft carriers, rode the ship during the first and third shock evolutions, and observed the historic trials, first-hand. ??sFSST has proven a critical investment in the Ford-class development,??? he said. ??sThe ship and crew performed exceptionally in these very strenuous conditions and continued their operations throughout the shock events, demonstrating the ship???s ???fight-through??? capability. The carrier now faces a six month period of Planned Incremental Availability (PIA), during which teams will conduct additional detailed inspections, assess any damage sustained during the shots, and conti