Historic Nuclear Aircraft Carrier to Be Decommissioned in $536 Million Overhaul

Image Credits: Wikipedia

According to a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Defense, NorthStar Maritime Dismantlement Services LLC, located in Vernon, Vermont, has secured a substantial contract worth $536.7 million to dismantle and recycle the decommissioned USS Enterprise (CVN 65). this aircraft carrier holds the distinction of being the first nuclear-powered vessel of its kind in both the United States Navy and globally.The dismantling operations will take place in Mobile, Alabama, with an anticipated completion date set for November 2029.

Under this agreement,every part of the USS Enterprise will be meticulously taken apart. Recyclable materials will be processed accordingly while hazardous substances—including low-level radioactive waste—will be safely packaged and sent to licensed disposal sites to adhere to environmental safety standards.

Funding for this project is drawn from the Navy’s fiscal 2025 operations budget.Approximately $533.7 million will be allocated at contract signing and is expected to lapse by year-end.

This contract was awarded following a competitive bidding process through the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Habitat system. NorthStar Maritime triumphed over bids from competitors based in Newport News, Virginia, and Brownsville, Texas.

NorthStar Maritime Dismantlement Services is a collaboration between NorthStar Group Services and Modern American Recycling and Radiological Services. Their proposal was submitted back in November 2024; despite Brownsville’s experience with conventional carriers’ dismantling processes, NorthStar’s specialized approach for nuclear vessels won them this significant project.The decision to proceed with dismantling came after extensive discussions that began post-decommissioning in 2017. A report released by the Navy in 2022 evaluated various options for handling the ship—whether it should remain inactive or undergo dismantling—and by 2023 they favored commercial facilities over their own limited shipyard resources for this task.

While all nuclear reactors aboard have been defueled, some hazardous legacy materials still linger on board that require careful management during disassembly. NorthStar has committed itself not only to removing these materials but also ensuring their safe transport to authorized disposal locations as they tackle other aspects of dismantling.

This initiative promises economic boosts for Mobile as maritime activities surge; notably marked by increased tourism linked to historic vessels like SS United States arriving at local shipyards for reefing preparations. Even though there were initial worries voiced by local business groups regarding potential contamination risks during dismantling operations, assurances have been made about stringent safety measures being implemented throughout this process.

The USS Enterprise—affectionately known as “Big E”—is notable not just for her size but also her storied history as one of naval warfare’s most iconic ships measuring an impressive 1,123 feet (342 meters) long with a displacement around 94 tons.

Throughout her operational years since commissioning in 1961 until deactivation in December 2012—and formal retirement on Febuary 3rd of that year—the carrier participated actively across numerous pivotal missions including those during critical moments like the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade or post-9/11 military actions against Al Qaeda targets while even contributing support efforts related to early U.S space exploration initiatives tracking John Glenn’s orbital flight aboard Friendship 7!

Originally envisioned as part of a new class design intended solely around nuclear capabilities—the Nimitz-class carriers later benefited significantly from lessons learned through her construction! Over time she underwent several major upgrades including significant refurbishments after incidents such as fires along with modernizations into more recent decades before finally concluding service after more than half-a-century-long journey within naval history!

Reference: U.S. DepartmentofDefense