R. Lee Ermey's SOUND OFF Forum

Batman47 · Sergeant Major

Active Carrier Summaries reflect the last major overhaul, SRA, ESRA, DPIA, PIA, RCOH, commissioning and construction as of 2005.

The U.S. Navy's Aircraft Carrier force planning document as early as 1947, seen as the beginning of the cold war, called for 12 CVAs. The Navy's carrier strength has averaged between 12 to 15 with the exception of Korea and Vietnam until 2001 and has remained at 12 until present day.

With the decommissioning of USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) March 23, 2007, the U.S. carrier inventory will be reduced to 11. U.S. global considerations include the Caribbean, Western Pacific Ocean, Mediterranean Sea/Europe, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. It is generally recognized that 15 carriers (5 to 1 ratio) would be necessary to support all these contingencies in peace time due to sailor rotation, pre deployment exercises and length of time spent in port due to overhaul and maintenance. At present, the U. S Navy could respond with 11 carriers if a World wide conflict occurred, referred to by some as World War III. In post cold war years, limited gaps of carrier presence in these areas have been acceptable.

Congress, in acting on the FY2006 defense budget, passed a provision requiring the Navy to maintain a 12-ship carrier force. The issue for Congress for FY2007, as it was for FY2006, was whether to approve, reject, or modify the proposal to retire the Kennedy and reduce the carrier force to 11 active ships, while at least one carrier will be under going RCOH every 3 ½ years.

The Navy’s proposed FY2007 budget included decommisioning USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67).

Until mid-2005, the Kennedy was homeported in Mayport, FL. Once Kitty Hawk is decommissioned, following Kennedy, the carrier strength would be 11 commissioned and 10 active from FY2008 to FY2009, with USS George Bush due to commission in 2008, while one carrier will most likely under go mid life refueling, thereby having 10 active carriers or less due to overhauls until 2013/15 when the newest Ford class CVN-21 is commissioned which will replace the Enterprise thereby lowering the carrier fleet to 11 commissioned and most likely less then 10 active.

The U. S. Navy fleet of Aircraft Carriers must increase by at least two if we intend to remain the peace keepers of the world, fighting global war on terror.

Taking in to consideration the length of time it takes to build a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, i.e. 5 to 7-years, constructing conventional aircraft carriers powered by hydrogen with electromagnetic catapults and or more amphibious assault ships would be beneficial.

The days of yesterday gone, while the future illuminates the need for U.S. Aircraft Carrier presence in various regions of the world at the same in which Summer Pulse 2004 illustrated could be done. A major Theater of War (MTW) is estimated to require four or five carriers and the National Military Strategy envisions response to two MTWs simultaneously.

Batman47 · Sergeant Major

During Operation Desert Shield, eighth carriers were deployed, while six carriers commenced Operation Desert Storm upon conclusion of Desert Shield on the same deployment, while there were 11 deployments of U.S. Aircraft Carriers in Support of Operation Desert Storm, with USS America (CV-66) making two deployments in support of the war.

Libyan operations required three Atlantic carriers in the Mediterranean Sea in March 1986 in which were:

USS America (CV-66)
USS Coral Sea (CV-43)
USS Saratoga (CV-60)

During Operation Southern Watch, 50 deployments were made by 15 carriers, many making several deployments during the length of the Operation over a period of many years.

As of 10 October 2007, U. S. Aircraft Carriers have made 15 Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and 19 Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) deployments as of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) 2007 3rd OIF deployment:

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) (1 OEF & 1 OIF on same deployment)
USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) (1 OEF & 1 OIF)
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) (1 OEF & 1 OIF)
USS Nimitz (CVN-68) (1 OEF & 2 OIF – OEF/OIF on same deployment)
USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) (1 OEF & 2 OIF)
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) (1 OEF & 1 OIF on same deployment)
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) (1 OEF & 2 OIF)
USS Constellation (CV-64) (1 OEF & 1 OIF on same deployment)
USS George Washington (CVN 73) (1 OEF & 1 OIF)
USS Enterprise (CVN-65) (3 OEF & 3 OIF – 2 OEF/OIF on same deployment)
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) (2 OEF & 1 OIF – OEF/OIF on same deployment)
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) (2 OEF & 3 OIF – 2 OEF/OIF on same deployment)
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) (1 OIF)

USS Harry S. Truman with CVW-3 embarked departed Norfolk, Virginia, with Captain Herman A. Shelanski in command, on 5 November 2007, with CCSG10 commanded by Rear Admiral William E. Gortney and staff; her fifth Mediterranean Sea deployment (8th voyage) operating with the 6th Fleet, her third Arabian Sea/Gulf (Persian Gulf) deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations and most likely Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, operating under operational control of the US Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet., while U.S. Naval Forces Central Command operational control extends to the Indian Ocean following the war with Iraq (Operation Desert Storm), with the Commander, 7th Fleet, serving as naval component commander for Central Command. She will make her 5th Suez Canal transit and the U. S. Navy’s 127th Suez Canal transit enroute to the Arabian Sea via the Red Sea on the U. S. Navy’s 87th Arabian Sea/Gulf (Persian Gulf) deployment and upon return through the Suez Canal will make her 6th Suez Canal transit and the U. S. Navy’s 128th Suez Canal; her sixth deployment since her commission and the approximately the U. S. Navy’s 787th FWFD.

The Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition
http://www.acibc.org

Batman47 · Sergeant Major

Active Carrier Summaries reflect the last major overhaul, SRA, ESRA, DPIA, PIA, RCOH, commissioning and construction as of 2007.

USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) was decommissioned in Mayport, Fla., March 23, 2007.

USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) was not commissioned at the time of John F. Kennedy’s decommissioning, leaving our navy with eleven commissioned carriers and 9 active due to:

The 41st President of the United States George H. W. Bush christened the CVN-77 at the christening ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard on 7 October 2006. The Island lifted into place on 8 July 2006. On 26 January 2001, Newport News Shipbuilding signed a $3.8 billion deal with the Navy to build CVN-77. 2006, is due to be christened. Keel was laid down on 6 September 2003.

President George W. Bush delivered the principal address at the christening ceremony of the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, named for his father, former President George H. W. Bush, at a 10 a.m. EDT on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard, Newport News, Va.

Several members of the Bush family were on hand for the special occasion, including the former president’s wife Barbara and their daughter, Doro Bush Koch. Mrs. Koch serves as the ship’s sponsor and performed the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the ship’s bow during the ceremony.

President George W. Bush also attended and honored his father during the ceremony as a special guest. http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/bush/christening.html

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) 11 November 2005, where she will be completely refitted, and the nuclear fuel that powers the Nimitz-class carrier will be replenished in a period of 3 1/2 years; being towed from Naval Station Norfolk to Northrop Grumman's Newport News Shipbuilding in order to begin RCOH, commencing planning for 2005’s RCOH upon return from her second around-the-world deployment and home port transfer from Bremerton, Washington, upon conclusion of her six-month deployment 31 July 2005, her tenth Indian Ocean deployment and fifth Arabian Sea/Gulf (Persian Gulf deployment) in support for Operation Iraqi Freedom on her first Gulf of Aden and Red Sea voyage, on her first Suez Canal transit and second voyage in the Mediterranean Sea.

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) completed its first overnight Fast Cruise 30 November 2006 after completing DPIA (Docked-Planned Incremental Availability), commencing January 2006 and the flight deck was certified to launch and receive aircraft during an underway period 12 to 22 January 2007 in preparation for an upcoming deployment.

USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) commenced a $28.5 million selective restricted availability (SRA) maintenance period January 8, 2007, completing SRA during the first week of May 2007.

Ronald Reagan underwent a six-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) in May 2007, departing San Diego, California on 29 October 2007 for sea trials as part of the PIA, underway in the Eastern Pacific for sea trials, Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) from 29 to 31 October 2007, concluding PIA on the 31st and returned to Home Port of San Diego, California. From advanced combat systems and electronics installation, to improved berthing compartments and new deck tiles, Ronald Reagan is receiving more than $150 million dollars in renovations and upgrades during the six-month PIA.

John C. Stennis shifted berths from homeport pier at Bremerton to a drydock at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) for a scheduled six-month docking-planned incremental availability (DPIA) on 28 September 2007.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) commenced a four-hour plus transit of the Elizabeth River in Hampton Roads on March 7, on her way to Norfolk Naval Ship Yard for a nine-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA), under going more than 90 major modifications, including a JP-5 (fuel system) alteration and installation of a new electronic throttle system in the ship’s propulsion plants. The ship also will receive a rolling airframe missile modification for the Close-In Weapons System, and a local area network (LAN) system upgrade.

On 28 November 2007, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71transited the Elizabeth River to return to homeport of Naval Station Norfolk after completing a nine-month PIA in Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71conducted sea trials and flight deck certification in the Western Atlantic from 4 to 6 December 2007.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71conducted carrier qualifications in the Western Atlantic from 17 to 20 December 2007.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) underwent Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) work at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF), Bremerton, Wash. entering Dry Dock #6 on 8 September, completing DPIA July 7, 2007.

The Navy’s carrier force for approximately half the year of 2007 was down to 7 and as of November 7, 2007 there are 8 active carriers due to USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) shifting berths from her homeport pier at Bremerton to a drydock at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) for a scheduled six-month docking-planned incremental availability (DPIA) on 28 September 2007, Carl Vinson under going RCOH and Theodore Roosevelt under going PIA.

USS George Washington (CVN-73) underwent Drydock Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) (11-month, $300 million) from 28 September 2006 to 27 August 2007.

In 2008, USS George Washington (CVN-73) is to replace the conventionally powered carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan and soon after CV-63 is scheduled to decommission at which time the US Navy will a have 11 commissioned aircraft carriers until the commissioning of CVN-78 (1st ship in the CVN-21 class) with the initial capability set for FY2015. Actual construction is to begin in January 2007 at Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Newport News shipyard.

Yokosuka mayor Ryoichi Kabaya told Japanese reporters prior to April 24, 2006, that the city would be willing to accept the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft, according to a report in the Asahi Shimbunand

The U.S. Navy is planning to set up an emergency operations center in the event of an accident involving the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier it plans to deploy in 2008 to its base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, sources said August 4, 2006.

From 2008 (CV-63 Decommissioned) through 2015, due to leave rotations, SRA, ESRA, DPIA, PIA, RCOH, etc., active carriers will average between nine to ten semi-annually and or annually while 4 to 6 carriers will make deployments if the level of threat in the middle east doesn’t pick up.

President George W. Bush delivered the principal address at the christening ceremony of the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, named for his father, former President George H. W. Bush, at a 10 a.m. EDT on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard, Newport News, Va.

Dwight D. Eisenhower moved to Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a six-month planned incremental availability (PIA) on 22 January 2008.

Recruit#32135 · Second Lieutenant

Good Job Batman. Sorry I've been away. I got swamped with three papers and I still have another one due in a little bit. Add to that the Selective Service stuff and getting my Springfield, I've been gone for too long. How did your surgery go?

Batman47 · Sergeant Major

Theodore Roosevelt conducted carrier qualifications 17 to 19 January 2007, maintaining qualifications as part of the fleet response plan in the Western Atlantic.

Theodore Roosevelt departed Norfolk, Va. and underway in the Western Atlantic maintaining qualifications as part of the fleet response plan from 6 to 8 February 2007.

Theodore Roosevelt moved to Norfolk Naval Ship Yard for a nine-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) on 7 March 2007.

Theodore Roosevelt Moves to Shipyard
Story Number: NNS070309-09
Release Date: 3/9/2007 2:06:00 PM

By By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Matt Bullock, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) made a four-hour plus transit of the Elizabeth River in Hampton Roads on March 7, on her way to Norfolk Naval Ship Yard for a nine-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA).

The Navy’s fourth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier will undergo more than 90 major modifications, including a JP-5 (fuel system) alteration and installation of a new electronic throttle system in the ship’s propulsion plants. The ship also will receive a rolling airframe missile modification for the Close-In Weapons System, and a local area network (LAN) system upgrade. http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=28222

On 28 November 2007, Theodore Roosevelt transited the Elizabeth River to return to homeport of Naval Station Norfolk after completing a nine-month PIA in Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

Theodore Roosevelt conducted sea trials and flight deck certification in the Western Atlantic from 4 to 6 December 2007.

Theodore Roosevelt conducted carrier qualifications in the Western Atlantic from 17 to 20 December 2007.

Theodore Roosevelt conducted carrier qualifications for the FRS and the CNATRA off the Virginia coast from 28 January to 3 February 2008.

Theodore Roosevelt underway off the Virginia coast from 5 to 8 February 2008.

Theodore Roosevelt underway off the Virginia coast 5 to 8 February 2008.

Theodore Roosevelt tested the NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System, carrier qualifications for CNATRA, off the coast of Virginia 2 to 10 March 2008.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) was built by Northrop Grumman’s Newport News sector. Commissioned on 25 October 1986, CVN 71 is expected to remain in service until 2036. As it approaches its mid-life stage, however, the wear begins to show. Instead of putting a ramp on its flight deck, buying it a nice red car, and pairing it with much younger ships, the US government has begun preparing instead for the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and its reactor plants.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is scheduled to arrive at the Newport News shipyard in 2009 to begin its RCOH, and Northrop Grumman has valued the planning phase alone at $558 million. So what exactly is a RCOH, and how expensive is it likely to get before all is said and done?
After nearly 25 years of service, the USA’s nuclear aircraft carriers undergo a 3-year maintenance period to refuel their nuclear reactors, upgrade and modernize combat and communication systems, and overhaul the ship’s hull, mechanical and electrical systems. This is the refueling and complex overhaul.

During an American Nimitz Class carrier’s 50 year life span, it has 4 Drydocking Planned Incremental Availabilities and 12 Planned incremental availabilities. It has only one RCOH, however, which is the most significant overhaul the ship receives during its 50-year life span. See DID’s November 2005 coverage and detailing re: the CVN 70 USS Carl Vinson’s RCOH, which is expected to cost a total of $2.89 billion; about $1.94 billion went to Northrop Grumman for planning and execution.
Note that the new CVN-21 Class will have a redesigned nuclear power plant whose features will affect its RCOH. The new system is expected to make use of advances from the USA’s Seawolf and Virginia Class submarine reactors, in order to eliminate expensive reactor refueling completely, increase the reactors’ output, and drop the number of people required to operate them.

Batman47 · Sergeant Major

Contracts & Key Events

Unless otherwise specified, all contracts are issued to Northrop Grumman’s Newport News in Newport News, VA by the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC.

Nov 16/06: A $65.3 million cost-plus-fixed fee, level of effort contract for FY 2007 advance planning in preparation for the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and its reactor plants. Northrop Grumman’s Newport News will perform the advance planning, design, documentation, engineering, material procurement, shipboard inspections, fabrication, and preliminary shipyard or support facility work. This contract was not competitively procured (N00024-07-C-2117).
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/industry/contracts-awards/uss-theodore-roose velt-headed-into-midlife-overhaul-02810

“CVNX Program multirole aircraft carriers (0+2 ships)

Specifications unknown - evolved from Nimitz Class.
“Concept/Program: CVNX is a new carrier design intended to follow the Nimitz class in production. The design will be gradually evolved from the existing Nimitz design, rather than starting with a completely "clean sheet". Details are not yet determined, but the ships will feature much lower manning, new electronic systems, electromagnetic catapults, and a new propulsion plant. CVN 77, the final Nimitz class ship, will be a "transition" ship, and will include some of the CVNX technology” (Ref. 674).

Builders: Northrop Grumman Newport News, VA.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Group Notes
CVNX 1 (none) 2013 -- -- -- Planned
CVNX 2 (none) 2018 -- -- -- Planned

Nimitz class multirole aircraft carriers (7+3 ships)

Displacement: 101,000-104,000 tons full load
Dimensions: 1092 x 250 x 37-39 feet/332.8 x 76.2 x 11.3-11.9 meters
Propulsion: 2 A4W reactors, steam turbines, 4 shafts, 280,000 shp, 30+ knots
Crew: approx 3000 (including flag) + approx 2900 air wing
Radar: SPS-48E 3-D air search, SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search (CVN 76: SPS-49A(V)1), Mk23 target acquisition, 2 SPN-46 air traffic control, SPN-43B air traffic control, SPN-44 landing aid
Fire Control: 3 Mk91 NSSM guidance systems with Mk95 radars
EW: SLQ-32(V)4 jamming/deception suite, Mk36 SRBOC decoy RL, SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo countermeasure
Aviation: full flight deck with angled deck, 684 x 108 x 26.5 foot/208.4 x 32.9 x 8 meter hangar, 4 deck-edge elevators, 4 C13 catapults; up to 80+ aircraft
Armament: 3 Mk29 8-cell NATO Sea Sparrow (CVN 68: 2 Mk29), 4 20mm Phalanx CIWS (CVN 68 & 69: 3 CIWS), CVN 68: 2 21-cell RAM

Concept/Program: USN's primary carrier class. The Nimitz class is considered the finest carrier design ever; the ships will be in production for over 30 years, and the last will be in service up to 80 years after the first was completed. CVN 77, the final ship of this class, will be a "transition" ship to the new CVNX design, and will differ considerably from the other ships of the class. Although some references consider CVN 71-76 as a separate class from CVN 68-70, progressive overhauls and modernization have eliminated many of the differences.

Builders: Newport News SB&DD/Northrop Grumman Newport News, VA.

Design: Based on previous USN carrier classes, but with general improvements throughout. There have been progressive modifications throughout the history of the class; each ship is more modern than the previous vessel. There are many detail variations among the ships. CVN 76 will have a bulbous bow and a significantly modified island - the island will be one deck lower than in previous ships, and will carry all the ship's radars; the separate radar mast abaft the island will be eliminated.
Modernization: Starting with Nimitz, each ship will undergo a RCOH refueling and overhaul, and will be brought up to the standards of the latest ships. The Nimitz RCOH included complete electronics modernization, complete removal and reconstruction of the upper two levels of the island, and significant rearrangement of radars, similar to the CVN 76 configuration.” (Ref. 674)

COMMISSIONED U. S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER STATUS AS OF 2008 http://www.uscarrierhistory.com/charts/chart11.pdf

U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER AND THE CARRIER INDUSTRIAL BASE AS OF YEARS END 2007/08 http://community.fox6.com/forums/thread/683253.aspx

U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER AND THE CARRIER INDUSTRIAL BASE AS OF YEARS END 2007/08 http://rleeermey.org/viewtopic.php?t=9284

USS Kennedy Decommissionig And CVN-73 In Japan By 2008 http://rleeermey.org/viewtopic.php?t=9717

USS Kennedy Decommissionig And CVN-73 In Japan By 2008 http://community.fox6.com/forums/thread/810442.aspx

USS Enterprise launched airstrikes against Taliban fighters near Kandahar http://community.fox6.com/forums/thread/861696.aspx

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UPDATED DAILY AT http://uscarrierhistory.com