The Current Status of U.S. Aircraft Carriers: Mothballed Carriers and Drydock Usage

As of August 2023, the U.S. Navy has four aircraft carriers considered mothballed, meaning they are not actively deployed but rather in reserve status. These carriers are typically stored in the Naval Reserve Fleet, also known as the 'mothball fleet.'

According to the Naval Vessel Register, there are currently no inactive aircraft carriers. The last of the pre-Nimitz-class carriers, Kitty Hawk (CV-64), Enterprise (CVN-65), and John F. Kennedy (CV-67), have been officially stricken from the register and are in the process of being scrapped.

Superivors and Museum Ships

It's important to distinguish between actively mothballed carriers and those that have been decommissioned and now reside as museum ships. The Yorktown (CV-5), Intrepid (CV-11), Hornet (CV-12), Lexington (CV-16), and Midway (CV-41) were all built during World War II and are now museum ships. They are in civilian hands, demilitarized, and are not capable of returning to active service due to a variety of reasons.

No Inactive Carriers in Mothball

The U.S. operates 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and none of these are inactive or in mothball status. Instead, some may undergo drydock visits for repairs and upgrades just like conventional vessels.

Demolition and Disposal Challenges

In 2012, the Hull of the former Enterprise (CVN-65) remains afloat at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company because the Navy has not decided how to dispose of her. After being deactivated, her eight reactors had their cores removed, necessitating the creation of large openings on her hangar deck and flight deck. Recycling involves a lengthy process since Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) in Washington state handles the reactor removal and subsequent disposal in Hanford, Washington.

Several factors contribute to the difficulty in disposing of these nuclear-powered carriers:

Only one dry dock at PSNS can accommodate the Enterprise hull. The issue of dry dock availability remains unresolved. THREE dry docks at the former Long Beach Naval Shipyard have been filled in.

With no remaining dry docks certified for nuclear-powered carriers, the Navy must develop a strategic plan for handling the decommissioning of existing Nimitz-class carriers. The Nimitz (CVN-68) class will begin deactivation in 2025, with its sister ships following at regular intervals, starting with Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in 2027.

Future Challenges and Solutions

The Newport News Shipbuilding Dry Dock (DD) facility, where the current Enterprise (CVN-65) is docked, lacks the berthing space to accommodate all aircraft carriers scheduled for disposal. Innovative solutions, such as towing the carriers around the "Horn" to PSNS for long-term layup, may be necessary. However, this approach also faces the challenge of limited dry dock availability.

Conclusion

The future of U.S. aircraft carriers lies in careful planning and efficient management of resources. While the mothballed carriers will be kept in reserve, the retirement of nuclear-powered carriers like the Nimitz-class presents a unique set of challenges that must be addressed promptly.