Navy League 2024: Dry dock RCOH work completed for aircraft carrier US…

Dry dock work has been completed for the mid-life overhaul of aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis . (US Navy)

HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division completed the dry dock portion of the refuelling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis (CVN 74), HII confirmed on 8 April during the Navy League Sea-Air-Space 2024 global maritime exposition in National Harbor, Maryland.

NNS flooded the dry dock with 100 million gallons of water to float Stennis and move the carrier to an outfitting berth at the shipyard, where the remainder of the RCOH work and testing will be completed, HII said.

Stennis received “significant upgrades” during the RCOH dry dock phase, part of an “extensive overhaul process, both inside and outside the ship”, HII said.

The work involved defuelling and refuelling the ship's powerplant, HII said, adding, “NNS shipbuilders preserved tanks and replaced thousands of valves, pumps, and piping components. On the outside, they performed major structural updates to the island, mast, and antenna tower; upgraded all aircraft launch and recovery equipment; painted the ship's hull, including sea chests and freeboard; restored the propeller shafts; and installed refurbished propellers and rudders.”

During the next phase of RCOH, shipbuilders will complete the overhaul and installation of the ship's major components and test its electronics, combat, and propulsion systems, HII said, noting, “This period will also focus on improving the ship's living areas, including crew living spaces, galleys, and mess decks.”

For more information about RCOH costs and delays please seeUS Navy seeks funding increase for aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis to cover overhaul redelivery delay.