The US Navy has awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division a $2.9 billion contract for the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).
The RCOH represents 35% of all maintenance and modernization in an aircraft carrier’s 50-year service life.
Stennis’ RCOH will include the refueling of the ship’s reactors, as well as extensive modernization work to more than 2,300 compartments, hundreds of tanks and systems. In addition, major upgrades will be made in the propulsion plant, to the flight deck, catapults, combat systems and the island.
“We are pleased to be awarded the contract to execute this extensive construction and engineering project,” said Todd West, Newport News’ vice president, in-service aircraft carrier programs. “Our teams have spent three years preparing and planning for each step of the process along the way, and we look forward to continuing our work with our suppliers and Navy partners in anticipation of the ship’s arrival at Newport News.”
Built at Newport News, Stennis was christened in 1993 and delivered to the Navy in 1995. The ship is the seventh Nimitz-class carrier to undergo this major life-cycle milestone. Stennis should complete the overhaul by late 2025.
USS John C. Stennis arrived at Naval Station Norfolk, where it will undergo the overhaul, in May 2019, after completing a seven-month deployment to Europe, Middle East and the Pacific. Once it completes the procedure, the carrier will return to its original homeport in Bremerton, Washington.
