The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a significant contract to NorthStar Maritime Dismantlement Services, a company based in Vermont, to dismantle and dispose of the decommissioned USS Enterprise (CVN 65), marking a historic step in the management of naval decommissioning processes. The contract is valued at $537 million and is set to complete by November 2029.
As part of this contract, NorthStar will oversee the meticulous dismantling of the iconic aircraft carrier at their facility in Mobile, Alabama. One of the standout features of this project is the commitment to sustainability; all materials retrieved from the USS Enterprise will be recycled or disposed of in accordance with environmental standards. This includes the handling of hazardous materials, notably low-level radioactive waste, which will be carefully packaged and transported to authorized disposal sites.
The dismantling of CVN 65 is particularly notable as it represents the first occasion in which a nuclear-powered ship will be dismantled through a commercial enterprise in the United States, setting a precedent for future projects of this nature.
Commissioned in 1961, the USS Enterprise holds a distinguished place in naval history. It was the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, equipped with eight Westinghouse A2W nuclear reactors and four geared steam turbines capable of generating a sustained power output of 210 megawatts. Over its extensive service life, the carrier has played a key role in several major military conflicts, including the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and post-9/11 missions like Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Following its final deployment to the Persian Gulf, the USS Enterprise was officially decommissioned in 2017 after serving more than 55 years. It stands as one of nine ships named Enterprise in the history of the U.S. Navy. Its successor, the CVN 80, is currently under construction and is expected to enter service by 2029, carrying on the legacy of this historic vessel.
