Navy Embarks on Historic Dismantling of First Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier
Story by Jack Smith • 23h
The Navy is sailing into uncharted water as it begins refueling and scrapping the former USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, for an undertaking that, though planned for well over a decade, represents a massive departure in how the Navy disposes of nuclear-powered vessels at the end of their service lives.
Since 2018, the 1,101-foot giant has been parked in Newport News, Va., as the Navy has decided what to do with it. Unlike regular ships, most of which can be sent to the scrapyard or used for target practice, the Enterprise is held to a different standard. That’s because of its nuclear power plant. Following years of study, the Navy picked private industry to take on the task— something that could become a model for disposing of nuclear-powered carriers in the future.
The Navy has created a CVN Inactivation and Disposal Program Office (PMS 368) to lead this effort within the Program Executive Office Aircraft Carriers. “Dismantlement and disposal of Enterprise, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to serve the nation, is a monumental task and a historic milestone for the Navy,” said Rear Adm. Casey Moton, Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/navy-embarks-on-historic-dismantling-of-first-nuclear-powered-aircraft-carrier/ar-AA1oQj68?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=b3a22c76ce104bd38d48078c63816fb0&ei=43
