Newport News, VA– USS George Washington (CVN 73) has completed the dry dock portion of her refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding.
After flooding the dry dock with more than 100 million gallons of water, USS George Washington (CVN 73) was moved to an outfitting berth. The overhaul is now more than 60% complete and USS George Washington (CVN 73) is on track to be completed in 2021.
“Getting George Washington out of the dry dock and back into the water is an important milestone in the overhaul process for shipbuilders, sailors and our government partners,” said Chris Miner, Newport News’ vice president of in-service aircraft carrier programs. “Over the next 24 months we will focus on readying the ship for the next 25 years of its operational life. Once our work is complete, George Washington will leave Newport News Shipbuilding as the world’s most technologically advanced Nimitz-class warship in the fleet.”
The ship is on pace to be delivered in 2021 with an extended expected service life and significant upgrades. Already, the shipbuilders at Newport News Shipbuilding have defueled and refueled her power plant, re-preserved approximately 600 tanks, replaced thousands of valves, pumps and piping components and performed major structural updates to the island, mast and antenna tower. Additionally, they have upgraded all aircraft launch and recovery equipment, painted the ship’s hull, updated the propeller shafts and installed refurbished propellers.
During the next phase of the RCOH, shipbuilders will finish the installation of the ship’s major components and test its electronics, combat and propulsion systems. Additionally, they will be improving living areas for when the ship is returned to the Navy, including galleys and mess decks.
“Taking the ship successfully out of the dry dock and over to our waterside pier marks a significant moment in the ship’s history and in our RCOH period,” said Capt. Kenneth A. Strong, the ship’s commanding officer. “With the ship back in the water, we can turn our attention to our next major milestones and finishing our maintenance period to return this vital national asset back to the fleet.”