At the start of the Pacific War in December 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) was the world's third-most powerful navy and a premier force, boasting the most potent carrier fleet, highly trained aviators, and advanced aircraft like the A6M Zero. It achieved immediate,, spectacular success in the first six months, including the decisive attack on Pearl Harbor. Key Strengths in December 1941: Carrier Force: Possessed 10 aircraft carriers (6 fleet, 3 smaller, 1 training) and the most advanced

The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), the second Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, is under construction at Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) in Newport News, Virginia, with delivery expected in March 2027. Following a 2011 start and 2015 keel laying, the vessel was launched in 2019, but, like its predecessor, has faced extensive delays due to Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) and Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWE) integration. The ship is built using modular