The August contract, signed with the Newport News division of Huntington Ingalls Inc., is valued at USD 276.1 million. It is to be completed by September 2026. It covers the procurement of parts and materials necessary for the work, as well as the continuation of preparations for the above undertaking. At the time of signing, the contracting authority released the first tranche of funds amounting to USD 65 million.
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) completed its most recent operational deployment on June 1. It is currently in Norfolk, where it is being prepared for future missions.
Photo: US Navy
According to the schedule, the shipyard work involving reactor refueling is set to begin in 2026. Preparations for this project started in January 2024, when the U.S. Department of Defense released the first budgetary funds. This will allow the vessel to be safely operated at least until 2060.
Currently, at the Huntington Ingalls Inc. shipyard in Newport News, work is nearing completion on the refueling of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) aircraft carrier. This effort, which has been ongoing for over 5.5 years, is approximately fourteen months behind schedule.
Each Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is equipped with two Westinghouse A4W reactors that use fuel rods containing enriched uranium. Their lifespan allows for safe and efficient operation for a period of 20 to 25 years, after which refueling must be performed in conjunction with an inspection of the installations and the modernization of control and safety systems.
