The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) completed the first scheduled explosive event of Full Ship Shock Trials while underway in the Atlantic Ocean on June 18, 2021. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Riley B. McDowell USS Gerald R. Ford completed the first explosive event of full-ship shock trials Friday. The Navy detonated explosives near the carrier to see how it holds up against shock and vibrations. The testing is designed to simulate aspects of real combat and test the hardness of the ship. See more stories on Insider's business page. The US Navy's new supercarrier is going through shock trials, and that means setting off live explosives near the warship to simulate aspects of actual combat conditions.USS Gerald R.