US Admiral :New Navy Office to Dismantle Nuclear Carriers has "a century" of Work ahead

The U.S. Navy is gearing up for a surge in the decommissioning, defueling, and dismantling of aircraft carriers, prompting the establishment of a new program office dedicated to overseeing these complex processes. Despite not having completed the full decommissioning of the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise, which concluded in 2018, the Navy faces a growing need to efficiently handle upcoming retirements, particularly within the Nimitz class.

Rear Adm. Jim Downey, the nominee to lead Naval Sea Systems Command, emphasized the time constraints the Navy is under, with Nimitz-class carriers scheduled for retirement in quick succession, starting with the Nimitz in fiscal 2026 and the Dwight D. Eisenhower in FY27. This accelerated timeline demands a proactive approach, unlike the decade-long planning process for the USS Enterprise.

To address the looming challenges, a program office was recently established to collaborate with industry partners, government agencies, including the Department of Energy, and other relevant entities. The goal is to streamline the planning and execution of carrier inactivations, defuelings, and dismantlements while ensuring a sufficient workforce is in place.

Adm. Downey highlighted the unique strategy behind the program office, focusing on defueling the carriers at locations where nuclear carriers are traditionally serviced, such as Newport News Shipbuilding. Subsequently, the dismantling process will be carried out at different commercial yards. This approach aims to optimize resources and expertise, acknowledging that the Navy public shipyards lack the excess capacity needed for such extensive and costly projects, which can span four or more years per ship and involve billions of dollars.

Given the substantial financial investment and collaboration with various entities, Adm. Downey emphasized the need for a dedicated program office and a carefully crafted acquisition strategy. The objective is to navigate the complexities of inactivating and dismantling nuclear-powered carriers successfully, recognizing the critical importance of getting the process right.