After a lengthy maintenance period concluded in June of this year, the U.S. Navy has begun preparations for the decommissioning of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), which has been in service for nearly five decades. This information comes from an official statement released by the U.S. Department of Defense on August 28, which mentions several upcoming contracts for the U.S. Navy, with particular interest in contract N00024-19-C-2100.
Specifically, the statement reports a cost modification of over $18 million for a contract with Huntington Ingalls Industries, based in Virginia, aimed at supporting the planning for the carrier’s decommissioning. This contract, awarded by the Naval Sea Systems Command, confirms that Newport News Shipbuilding will handle this task, with completion expected by November. According to the U.S. Navy’s plans, the decommissioning process is set to begin in 2026 and will consist of three major phases: inactivation, removal of the reactor compartment, and recycling.
To elaborate on the recent maintenance period, referred to by the Navy as Planned Incremental Availability, the USS Nimitz underwent repairs to its aircraft elevators and crew quarters. Additionally, various defense systems on the ship were upgraded, requiring over two million man-hours to complete. These repairs were carried out at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington.
It is also noteworthy that despite its planned retirement, the Nimitz has resumed operations following a brief sea trial after maintenance. This operational status is to be maintained as long as possible due to the challenges faced in deploying such assets in recent weeks. Prior to this, the aircraft carrier had been deployed in the South China Sea for about seven months under the command of the Seventh Fleet, conducting various exercises with its rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, as well as Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
Looking ahead to the carrier’s replacement, the new Gerald R. Ford-class carriers currently under construction at U.S. shipyards, along with the remaining Nimitz-class carriers, are set to take its place. Many parts and systems recovered during the decommissioning process will be made available to both of these classes, enhancing spare parts inventories at a lower cost. However, the nuclear reactor powering the ship will be sent to a Department of Energy (DoE) facility in eastern Washington after thorough cleaning and sealing.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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Good riddance to the old rust bucket that only catered to fleet staff like royalty. FTN