US Navy to Retire Its Flagship Nuclear Aircraft Carrier

The US Navy is preparing to decommission the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which has served for over half a century. The ship has completed its final deployment and arrived in Norfolk. Initial decommissioning costs are estimated at $560 million, with the total cost expected to be higher. The budget will only cover the initial phase. Due to its nuclear reactors and classified equipment, the process is complex and could take years. The Enterprise will serve as a pilot project.

The US Navy is preparing to decommission the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which has served for over half a century. The ship has completed a four-month deployment and arrived at the naval base in Norfolk, which will be its final berth before decommissioning. Initial decommissioning costs are estimated at nearly $560 million, with the total cost expected to be significantly higher. The budget for the upcoming fiscal year will only cover the initial phase: disconnecting communications, draining technical fluids, and preparing the reactors. Due to the classified nature of the equipment and the presence of two nuclear reactors, decommissioning will require the removal of weapons, electronics, and aviation equipment, as well as strict control during the extraction of spent nuclear fuel. The work could drag on for years and continue beyond the next decade. The decommissioning of the carrier Enterprise will serve as a pilot project, helping to develop a unified technology. The Nimitz's design has differences, which will create additional challenges. The military department has already prepared a decommissioning program that requires the involvement of specialists and modernized shipyards. The ship was commissioned in 1975 and has participated in numerous operations.