Legendary USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, to be dismantled in a complex operation led by NorthStar Maritime
The first and longest-serving nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in history, USS Enterprise (CVN-65), will be officially decommissioned by the United States under a contract valued at $537 million. The announcement marks the end of an era for the U.S. Navy, which saw the ship actively serve for over half a century.
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The dismantling process will be conducted by NorthStar Maritime Dismantling Services, a company hired by the U.S. Department of Defense for a precise amount of $536,749,731. Operations will take place in Mobile, Alabama, with completion expected by November 2029.
According to the contract, CVN-65 will be completely dismantled. Reusable components will be redesigned, while hazardous materials, such as low-level radioactive waste, will be safely packaged and sent to licensed disposal sites.
A Legend of the Seas
Commissioned on November 25, 1961, USS Enterprise was the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding, the ship measured 342 meters in length, displaced about 95,000 tons, and was powered by a unique system of eight nuclear reactors — the only carrier ever built with such a configuration.
The vessel could carry up to 90 aircraft and accommodate a crew of about 4,600 service members. With its four propulsion shafts, it could reach speeds of over 33 knots (approximately 61 km/h).
During its 51 years of active service, the Enterprise was involved in historic operations, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and missions in the Middle East. It was officially deactivated on February 3, 2017, becoming the longest-serving aircraft carrier in U.S. Navy history.
Complex and Pioneering Disposal
The end of the Enterprise represents an unprecedented logistical and environmental challenge. Due to its nuclear system, the disposal process is significantly more complex than that of conventionally powered ships. For this reason, the U.S. Navy created a dedicated department to manage the decommissioning of nuclear vessels. 
Photos: Flickr / Wikimedia. Source: Defense Mirror. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
