YES. BETTER TO KNOW NOW THAN FIND OUT LATER: Should the US Navy ‘Shock Test’ Its Latest Carrier? “Shock testing involves setting off explosive charges in the water near a warship to see if anything breaks. The charges are set off close enough to buffet the ship with shockwaves from the explosion, but not to cause any permanent damage. Afterwards, the Navy conducts a thorough inspection of the ship to determine what, if anything, broke and conduct repairs.”