The US Navy has awarded a contract to commercially dismantle and dispose of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).
The dismantlement and disposal effort will be executed under a $536.7 million firm-fixed-price contract awarded to NorthStar Maritime Dismantlement Service. The project is expected to be completed by November 2029.
NorthStar partnered with Modern American Recycling and Radiological Services in Mobile, Alabama, where the dismantlement work will take place. Waste Control Specialists of Andrews, Texas, will serve as the licensed facility for the disposal of low-level radiological and mixed hazardous waste.
Non-hazardous materials will be recycled or disposed of in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, according to the navy.
This marks the first time a US nuclear-powered warship will be dismantled through a commercial effort, representing a significant milestone in responsibly and safely closing out the legacy of one of the Navy’s most iconic warships. Commissioned in 1961 and serving the nation for over 50 years, USS played a central role in US naval operations spanning the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and post-9/11 conflicts, including Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Following its inactivation in December 2012, the US Navy completed the defueling of its reactor plants in 2017.
Since completing inactivation, ex-Enterprise has remained moored at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, awaiting final disposition.
With this contract, Enterprise will now begin its final journey, supporting continued stewardship of the US Navy’s nuclear enterprise and freeing critical public shipyard capacity for active fleet maintenance.
By leveraging private-sector expertise in commercial nuclear power plant decommissioning, the Navy is achieving an estimated $1 billion in cost savings compared to conducting the effort in public shipyards.