Decommissioned US Aircraft Carriers: A Comprehensive Overview

As of August 2023, the United States Navy has decommissioned a total of 11 aircraft carriers after the end of World War II. This article provides a detailed overview of decommissioned carriers, with a particular focus on the recent decommission of the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on January 29, 2022.

The History of Decommissioned Carriers

Since the end of World War II, 11 aircraft carriers have been decommissioned by the United States Navy. The USS Nimitz (CVN-68), one of the most iconic and longest-serving of these carriers, was decommissioned on January 29, 2022. More details about decommissioned carriers are available upon request.

Condition of Decommissioned Carriers

Currently, no conventionally-powered aircraft carriers of the FORRESTAL (CV-59), KITTY HAWK (CV-64), and JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) classes remain in reserve on the Naval Vessel Register. These vessels are in various stages of dismantling and disposal. The hulk of the former USS Enterprise (CVN-65) is currently afloat at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, pending a final decision on its disposal.

Disposal Processes for Nuclear-Powered Warships

The disposal of aircraft carriers, particularly those with nuclear propulsion, is a complex process. For nuclear-powered aircraft carriers like USS Enterprise, the disposal process involves removing eight reactors and their cores, which requires significant dismantling. This process is time-consuming and cannot be completed at most dry docks.

Disposal Sites and Dry Docks

The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) in Washington State is the only site where nuclear-powered warships can be scrapped and recycled. The process involves removing the reactor compartments and subsequently burying the cores at Hanford, Washington. The rest of the ship’s hull is dismantled in dry dock, a process that can take several years.

Due to the constraints of dry dock availability, the Navy is facing challenges in disposing of decommissioned carriers. The next carrier to decommission, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), is set to begin deactivation in 2027, when it reaches its 50-year lifespan. Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, where USS Enterprise is currently docked, lacks the berthing space to accommodate all decommissioned carriers.

Future Challenges

Given the constraints of dry dock availability and the Navy's need to dispose of decommissioned carriers, several factors are at play. The future of these carriers is uncertain, but it is clear that the Navy needs to make a decision soon. The process of decommissioning and disposing of these carriers is complex and will require thoughtful planning and resources.

For further details about specific carriers or their histories, feel free to reach out. The United States Navy continually reviews and reassesses its fleet structure and disposal strategies to ensure the efficient utilization of resources and to maintain its operational readiness.