The USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) has achieved a major milestone in its Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at HII-Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), undocking from its dry dock on April 8. This significant step marks the completion of the first phase of the extensive modernization project for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. The USS John C. Stennis, commissioned in December 1995 as the seventh of its class, entered this transformative RCOH process in May 2021. The overhaul, valued at $3 billion, is currently over 65% complete and is on track for the aircraft carrier to rejoin the fleet in October 2026.
Aircraft carriers like the CVN 74 John C. Stennis undergo RCOH at roughly the midpoint of their projected 50-plus-year service life. This period is crucial for integrating essential upgrades to the ship’s core systems, including propulsion, critical infrastructure, and advanced electronic systems. With the dry dock now flooded with over 100 million gallons of water, the USS John C. Stennis has been moved to the shipyard’s outfitting berth. Here, shipyard personnel and the ship’s crew will focus on the installation and rigorous testing of major components and combat support systems, preparing the CVN 74 John C. Stennis for its enhanced future service.
Rear Adm. Casey J. Moton, Program Executive Office Aircraft Carriers, emphasized the importance of this milestone and the future capabilities of the USS John C. Stennis. He noted that the subsequent phase of the overhaul will incorporate cutting-edge technologies designed to significantly enhance the Navy’s warfighting capabilities. These upgrades will ensure the John C. Stennis is ready to meet diverse operational demands for another 25 years or more.
“Upon redelivery, John C. Stennis will stand as the most technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in our Navy,” stated Moton. “It will deliver to the Fleet an unmatched level of capability across all mission sets.” This technological leap forward for CVN 74 John C. Stennis is a key focus of the RCOH.
Rear Adm. Moton also acknowledged the challenges faced by both the shipyard and the Navy team during this complex undertaking. These challenges include navigating mandatory additional work identified during ship condition assessments and broader issues within the industrial base. The extended redelivery schedule reflects these complexities.
“The Navy-Industry team is actively managing the ongoing impacts of a post-COVID industrial base, which presents reduced or unstable capability and capacity, alongside difficulties in workforce recruitment, retention, and expertise. However, our primary focus remains on meeting the critical needs of Fleet operators by delivering mission-ready assets to our warfighters. We are working diligently with our industry partners and within the Navy to expedite problem-solving and accelerate production, all with the goal of ensuring readiness. I commend our entire team for achieving this vital production milestone toward returning USS John C. Stennis to active service.”
Capt. Mark Johnson, manager of the PEO Aircraft Carriers In-Service Aircraft Carrier Program Office, highlighted that the Navy-Industry team is applying valuable lessons learned from previous RCOH projects, particularly the recent overhaul of USS George Washington (CVN 73), which was redelivered in May 2023. This experience is crucial for optimizing the current project for CVN 74 John C. Stennis.
“Recognizing the evolving workforce dynamics following the COVID pandemic, the combined Navy and Shipbuilder team has implemented significant improvements to support the mechanics and sailors working directly on the ship. This includes leveraging innovative digital management tools and processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness,” Johnson explained.
The RCOH of John C. Stennis will involve over 25 million man-hours of work. Key upgrades include the installation of a new square and tapered mast to support state-of-the-art defense and communications systems. The overhaul also encompasses updates to the ship’s shafts, refurbished propellers, and modernized aircraft launch and recovery equipment. These extensive upgrades will ensure the CVN 74 John C. Stennis remains a cutting-edge asset.
“The RCOH process significantly enhances nearly every area and system on the carrier, going beyond the essential tasks of defueling and refueling the ship’s two nuclear reactors and upgrading the propulsion plant,” Johnson added. “Our work spans the entire ship, from the hull, propellers, and rudders to over 600 tanks, thousands of valves, pumps, and piping components, electrical systems, ventilation, and both combat and aviation support systems. It is demanding and intricate work that challenges every member of the planning team, shipyard crews, and ship’s force.”
During the upcoming outfitting and testing phase for the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), shipbuilders will finalize the overhaul, complete the installation of major components, and rigorously test the ship’s electronics, combat systems, and propulsion capabilities. This phase will also prioritize improvements to the living conditions onboard, focusing on crew living spaces, galleys, and mess decks, enhancing the quality of life for the sailors who will operate the revitalized carrier for decades to come. The redelivery of CVN 74 John C. Stennis will mark a significant enhancement to US naval power.
