|
U. S. Aircraft Carriers participating in Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) and COH AND RCOH’s (1949 to 2019) |
|
A Sailors tale of his Tour of duty in the U.S. Navy (August 1977 to February 1983) Operation Evening Light and Eagle Claw - 24 April 1980
Book - ISBN NO. 978-1-4276-0454-5 EBook - ISBN NO. 978-1-329-15473-5
Operations Evening Light and Eagle Claw (24 April 1980) Iran and Air Arm History (1941 to 1980)
Book ISBN NO. xxxxxxxxxxxxx EBook ISBN NO. 978-1-329-19945-3
|
|
U. S. Aircraft Carriers participating in Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), designed to extend the life of U.S. Aircraft Carriers (1980 to 1993)
History of COH and Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) and U. S. Aircraft Carriers participating in COH/RCOH at Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), an American Fortune 500 shipbuilding company formed on March 31, 2011 as a spin-off of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Newport News (NGSB-NN) (1964 to September 2019).
“In the United States nuclear Navy, Refueling and Overhaul (ROH) refers to a lengthy process or procedure performed on nuclear-powered Naval ships, which involves replacement of expended nuclear fuel with new fuel and a general maintenance fix-up and often modernization of the entire ship. In theory, such a process could simply involve only refueling or only an overhaul, but nuclear refueling is usually combined with an overhaul. An ROH usually takes a year to two years or longer to perform at a Naval shipyard. Time periods between ROH's on a ship have varied historically from about 5-20 years (for submarines) to up to 25 years (for Nimitz-class aircraft carriers). For modern submarines and aircraft carriers, ROH's are typically carried out about midway through their operating lifespan. At a shipyard, a ship to undergo ROH goes into a drydock, which is then closed off from the sea. Then water is evacuated from the drydock with blocks placed under the hull, so the ship's hull will rest on the blocks. At the end of the ROH, the drydock is refilled with water so the ship can float and be let out to sea.
To start ROH, operating procedures are used to shut down and cool down the propulsion power plant to bring it to desired temperatures, pressures, and other conditions. During the ROH, ship's Navy crew stand shutdown watches, and civilian shipyard workers do much of the repair, maintenance, and installation work. During an ROH, all personnel in a maintenance work area are commonly required to wear a hard hat. Land-based Naval reactor prototype plants have also undergone similar refueling and overhauls, not at a shipyard but at whatever facility they are located.
Refueling
In a nuclear-powered ship, the nuclear fuel is essentially a solid inside a reactor core which is inside the ship's nuclear reactor. Once a reactor core has gone critical, meaning it has been used during a reactor operation, highly radioactive nuclear fission products have formed in the core, and the core has become highly radioactive. Refueling involves taking the expended core out of reactor and putting in a new core with fresh nuclear fuel. Because it is so radioactive, removing a core with expended nuclear fuel from a reactor requires elaborate radiological handling precautions. The internal surfaces inside of a reactor plant that has been critical are considered radioactively contaminated.
All water that has come into contact with the inside of such a reactor plant is considered radioactive and requires radiological handling and disposal precautions. In addition to radiological training and qualification required for working in radiation areas or with radioactive materials or contamination, radiation exposure to workers is monitored to ensure maximum exposure limits are not exceeded.
Overhaul
The overhaul commonly includes extensive maintenance and renovation work and checks of various systems and equipment aboard the ship. A major overhaul also typically includes upgrading various systems and equipment to modernize it; for example, old analog electrical equipment may be replaced by new digital electronic equipment. The work for such overhauls is typically planned out by engineers well in advance and new equipment is obtained for any replacements or installations.
An example of renovation work done during refueling and overhauls of submarines is the conversion of a fleet ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) to a guided missile submarine (SSGN). Such a conversion consists of taking the ballistic missiles and their silos out of the missile section in the submarine, and replacing them with more than 100 Tomahawk cruise missiles and special operations force insertion platforms which can carry up to 66 special operations personnel. The first four Ohio-class submarines have undergone such conversions during their midlife refueling and overhauls” (Ref. [1]).
During an overhaul, an extensive testing program is conducted. Numerous test procedures that have been written are followed, data is recorded as required, and logs of the testing are kept. Among tests that can be conducted include: radiography to test critical welds, testing of fluid systems and other pressure boundaries which includes hydrostatic testing to detect any leaks, and testing of electrical and mechanical setpoints for various types of equipment such as sensor input setpoints for various kinds of automatic trips and safety valve relief pressure setpoints. At the finish of the ROH, the testing data records are bound and retained as a permanent documentation record resulting from the ROH.
When the ship is ready to go towards the end of the ROH, the power plant is warmed or brought back up to the desired operating temperature and pressure and can then be started up when ready. Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) is a process for refueling and upgrading nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the US Navy performed at a Naval shipyard. The nuclear reactors that power some aircraft carriers typically use up their nuclear fuel about halfway through their desired 50-year life spans.
Because carriers can last so long before being retired, they are refueled and refurbished with an RCOH to extend their useable lifetime. At the same time a ship is refueled, it is given a complex overhaul in which broken or worn parts are repaired or replaced and systems are modernized.
The modernization typically includes an upgrade of ship’s combat systems and warfighting capabilities, its internal distribution systems are upgraded, and allowance is made for future upgrades over the ship’s remaining operational service life. Given the size of an aircraft carrier and the number of systems and subsystems it has, an RCOH is extremely complex, costly (several billion dollars), and time-consuming. Each RCOH is planned to take almost three years” (Ref. [2], [3] & [4]). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refueling_and_overhaul
Ref. 1035 - JOINT FLEET MAINTENANCE MANUAL - VOLUME II - INTEGRATED FLEET MAINTENANCE - MAINTENANCE AND MODERNIZATION PROGRAM - VOLUME II, PART I, CHAPTER 2 - RCOH - Refueling and Complex Overhaul https://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/doctrine/navy/jfmm/vol2/TOC.htm
Ref. A - Aircraft Carrier Fleet Services / Refueling and Complex Overhaul http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/capabilities/rco.html - Not Active Ref. B - RCOH - Not Active http://www.sb.northropgrumman.com/products/acfleetservices/index.html
References - Refueling and Complex Overhaul - Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refueling_and_overhaul
1. Unmanned Undersea Vehicles And Guided Missile Submarines: Technological and Operational Synergies - February 2002 http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/cst/csat27.pdf
2. CVN-68 Nimitz-class Modernization http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/cvn-68-mods.htm
3. USS Theodore Roosevelt Headed Into Mid-Life Overhaul - Sep 04, 2013 11:02 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/uss-theodore-roosevelt-headed-into-midlife-overhaul-02810/ 4. Refueling and Complex Overhaul http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refueling_and_overhaul
Note that the new CVN-21 Class will have a redesigned nuclear power plant whose features will affect its RCOH. The new system is expected to make use of advances from the USA’s Seawolf and Virginia Class submarine reactors, in order to eliminate expensive reactor refueling completely, increase the reactors’ output, and drop the number of people required to operate them.
“With their uniquely qualified work force and specialized facilities, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), an American Fortune 500 shipbuilding company formed on March 31, 2011 as a spin-off of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Newport News (NGSB-NN), former Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp., Newport News, Virginia, is the only shipyard to perform overhaul and refueling work on Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, a three-year project that includes the refueling of both the ship's reactors, as well as significant modernization work.
Huntington Ingalls Industries designs, builds and maintains nuclear and non-nuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and provides after-market services for military ships around the globe. For more than a century, Huntington Ingalls Industries has built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. The company also provides a wide variety of products and services to the commercial energy industry and other government customers, including the Department of Energy.
Employing more than 38,000 in Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana and California, its primary business divisions are Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding. For more information about Huntington Ingalls Industries, visit:
HII on the web: www.huntingtoningalls.com HII on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuntingtonIngallsIndustries HII on Twitter: twitter.com/hiindustries
U.S. Aircraft Carriers participating in Complex Overhaul (COH) and or Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) - (1964 to September 2019)
Nimitz made the move across the James River to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, for a Complex Overhaul (COH) on 17 June 1983. USS America (CV-66) provided a team to assist Nimitz’s crew with their overhaul from 1 to 30 April 1984. Nimitz ended a Complex Overhaul (COH) on 22 July 1984, conducted from 17 June 1983 to 22 July 1984, the first such refit for a Nimitz-class ship. The ship remained drydocked at Shipway 11 from 17 June–3 December, after which she was towed to the company’s Pier 2. USS America (CV-66) provided a team to assist Nimitz’s crew with their overhaul from 1 to 30 April 1984. Nimitz remained at Pier 2 until 23 July 1984. The crew lived on board General William O. Darby (IX-510) from 22 July 1983 to 20 June 1984. The Navy attempted to provide for the crew and their dependents during the difficult overhaul, and christened a 220 foot barge Nimitz Park, positioned alongside General William O. Darby from 3 October 1983. Nimitz Park boasted eight laser sailboats, a picnic area and a fishing facility. Complex Overhaul, installations: Two RIM-7H5 Basic Point Defense Missile System (BPDMS) NATO Sea Sparrow; three Mk 15 Mod 1 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS). Developed in response to the ongoing threat poised by sea-skimmer and anti-ship cruise missiles, CIWS was a last-ditch “fast-reaction” defense system against those missiles, combining on a single mount fire control radars and a six barrel M61A1 Vulcan (Gatling) gun firing tungsten alloy projectiles at a rate of up to 4,500 rounds per minute. During initial test firings Nimitz’s CIWS gunners savaged the target, leaving only the swivel connecting to the tow cable; Flag Data Display System and new NTDS (both of which they actually completed installing during Navy sea trials. Nimitz made the move across the James River from Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company upon completion of Complex Overhaul (COH) on 23 July 1984, for post-overhaul contractor’s Sea Trials; returning to Norfolk, Va. on 26 July 1984, conducting post-overhaul contractor’s Sea Trials from 23 to 26 July 1984, conducting a COH from 17 June 1983 to 22 July 1984, the first such refit for a Nimitz-class ship. Nimitz accomplished her first McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Mode I Automatic Carrier Landing System certification on 30 September 1984. Nimitz returned to Norfolk, Va. in October 1984, conducting Shakedown Training in the Cuban Operating Area from 27 to 28 September 1984 after departing her home port in late September 1984.
eighth Enterprise (CVN-65), former CVA(N)-65 – RCOH (12/10/90 to 23/09/94) - additional updates required through 1995 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp., Newport News, Virginia. Departed Norfolk, Virginia, and moved to Newport News Shipbuilding Company, Newport News, Virginia for her third refueling and the Navy's largest complex overhaul ever attempted (RCOH). Enterprise completed her Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) and the Navy's largest complex overhaul ever attempted 23 September 1994 at Newport News Shipbuilding Company, Newport News, Virginia; shifted berths from Norfolk, Virginia, moving over to Newport News Shipbuilding Company, Newport News, Virginia for her third refueling, 18 days ahead of schedule to avoid Hurricane Lili, on 12 October 1990 commencing RCOH the same day. Most of the crew of Enterprise (CVN-65) onloaded Floating Accommodation Facility (FAF), a $20 million barge fitted with berthing, galleys, office space and medical facilities (1–5 November 1990), cutting the ribbon establishing FAF during a ceremony on the 8th. During a reception at The Mariner’s Museum, Hampton, Va., sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce, the day was declared “Enterprise Day” by the mayors of Newport News and Hampton, on 14 November. Also in November, Enterprise sent six deck department petty officers to the amphibious assault ship Tarawa (LHA-1) for six months in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. On 17 March 1991, FAF was moved to Slipway 10, positioned next to Enterprise “in support of the Complex Overhaul/Refueling. During 1992, Enterprise sent men from the air department to operational carriers, where “senior personnel honed their ABH skills,” and undesignated airmen were introduced to the “challenges” of working on a dangerous flight deck. Two detachments went to USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) in March and May, three to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in June, September and November, and one each to USS George Washington (CVN-73) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in October and USS Merrimac (AO-179). Enterprise was transferred to AirLant on 1 October 1992. Enterprise was towed from Dry Dock No. 11 to Pier 2, both at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., on 14 December 1992. She was followed by FAF, which shifted berths from Dry Dock No. 10 to Pier 2, across from the carrier, three days later. During the overhaul, V-1 and V-3 divisions were combined until August 1993, when the hangar bay division was re-activated aboard Enterprise. Her crew performed an “overhaul and replacement” of the flight deck and hangar bay aircraft engine starting stations in four months, eight months less than the shipyard estimate, saving over $200,000. They also “rewired and overhauled” the flight deck lighting system on their own, saving over $70,000 when compared to the shipyard bid. New CIWS Block 1 “low-profile” gun mounts 23 and 24 were installed aboard Enterprise, and both MK 57 Mod 3 NATO Sea Sparrow systems were refurbished by Raytheon Co., Virginia Beach, Va. In 1993, Combat Systems Fire Control Division was re-activated as an Operations Division. The AN/SPN-46 ACLS Radar, “the new final approach radar,” was installed, and additional systems overhauled were the AN/SPS-64 Navigation, AN/SPS-67 Surface Search, AN/SPS-49 Air Search, AN/SPS-43 Marshalling and AN/SPS-48C 3D Radars. These were the principal radar systems with which she operated into the 21st Century. To better enable the OI division to prepare for returning Enterprise to her natural element, the open sea, sailors of that division combined with those of the navigation department for two small cruises with the Naval Academy’s self-propeller patrol craft (YPs), building shiphandling, radar and visual navigation skills. During one such trip in March 1993, the craft was navigated from Annapolis harbor down Chesapeake Bay to NB Norfolk, making daily trips from there out to sea. One of the most important changes to Enterprise’s capabilities since commissioning was the installation of a Local Area Network (LAN), involving the running of “thousands of feet” of cable, both coaxial and fiber optic. A “very labor intensive project,” departments relocated from FAF to the ship, then moved from space to space within her. In addition, SITE 501 CCTV cable was distributed throughout the ship, and the Navy Standard Teletype (NST) was installed in the main Communications Center. Installing the CCTV system included over 50,000 feet of cable and more than 1,000 television cable “drops,” as well as 450 new television sets, enhancing the ship’s ability to hold training. Also overhauled was the AN/UQC-1 Underwater Telephone System. A valve barge was moored near Enterprise, playing “a vital role in the overhaul.” Following the collapse of the East Bloc and the corresponding lessoning of Cold War tensions, however, Congress issued a mandate for the Navy to “drawdown,” or reduce its force. All four catapults were overhauled aboard Enterprise, while improvements made to the flight deck included the fabrication and installation of all 194 flight deck safety nets, as well as the application of non-skid, covering 194,332 square feet of the flight deck, the latter between May to September 1994. In 1994, Enterprise offered “Early Out,” a fleet-wide program allowing service members to terminate their active duty commitment, nearly 20% of the crew taking advantage of the program, with approving authority given by the commanding officer. The crew made a “herculean effort” to complete her yard period, which ended on 27 September 1994. Enterprise returned to sea 27 September 1994, conducting sea trials, including a four-hour full power run, over the succeeding three days, before returning to Norfolk on 30 September 1994., having completed her third refueling and the Navy's largest complex overhaul ever attempted at Newport News Shipbuilding Company, Newport News, Virginia (12 October 1990 to 23 September 1994). Enterprise completed her Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) and the Navy's largest complex overhaul ever attempted 23 September 1994 at Newport News Shipbuilding Company, Newport News, Virginia; shifted berths from Norfolk, Virginia, moving over to Newport News Shipbuilding Company, Newport News, Virginia for her third refueling, 18 days ahead of schedule to avoid Hurricane Lili, on 12 October 1990 commencing RCOH the same day. As the lead ship in its class, the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), former CVA(N)-68 was the second CVN to conduct a Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) (Enterprise made three ROH & one RCOH), requiring the ship to return to its birthplace of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp., Newport News, Virginia, commencing 26 May 1998 and scheduled for three years, Nimitz made a deadstick move to Drydock No. 11 at Newport News to commence her 33 month refueling complex overhaul on 26 May 1998; conducted a 3-year complex mid-life and transited the James River, returning to Norfolk, Va., conducting her first RCOH and third ROH from 26 May 1998 to 28 June 2001. Newport News announced the redelivery of Nimitz to the Navy. The carrier moored to Pier 11N at NS Norfolk, and the crew began onloading “Safe for Sea” ordnance, such as small arms ammunition on 28 June 2001. CAPT Steven F. Firks, her CO, noted that the cost of approximately $1.3 billion as nearly twice her original price of $692 million. The ship originally went to sea with two nuclear reactors, which, due to technological improvements, provided her with the some propulsive power as the eight installed in Enterprise. After years of steaming, however, they required considerable work. The crew transferred most support equipment to the Naval Air Systems Command Southeast Rework facility, Solomons Island, Md., and to the Naval Air Depot, NAS Jacksonville, Fla. While in the yard a number of sailors completed afloat training on board other ships at varying periods, including Carl Vinson, John F. Kennedy and guided missile cruiser Normandy (CG-60). The crew also accomplished the “Y2K rollover,” ensuring that all computer networks complied with 21st Century time-keeping without interrupting end users and without hardware applications failures. Sailors provided “critical” HH-60 parts to aircraft carrier John C. Stennis (CVN-74). Relatively relaxed watchstanding provided sailors the opportunity to transition from eight duty sections to 10 (five during holiday standdown with a primary and standby “alternate” sections). Most crewmembers transferred to Floating Accommodation Facility, a $20 million, 300 foot barge with berthing, galleys, office space and medical facilities. The shipyard provided the “floating hotel” to accommodate crucial crew needed to oversee vital work, though over 1,900 bachelor sailors berthed ashore. Steelworkers struck, however, from 5 April–30 July 1999, delaying progress, though the crew continued the overhaul as well as they could. Nimitz made a deadstick move to Drydock No. 11 at Newport News to commence her 33 month refueling complex overhaul on 26 May 1998. RADM Daniel R. Bowler (and his relief RADM Peter W. Marzluff), Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group-5 assumed operational control of Nimitz on 15 July 1998. The crew of Nimitz held a memorial service for GMSN Brian E. Hubert, who died when he accidentally fell five decks through an open hatch on 22 January 1999. VADM Michael L. Bowman, Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet, visited Nimitz on 17 March 1999. The crew of Nimitz offloaded their remaining test equipment and shipped it to Naval Surface Weapons Center (NSWC) Seal Beach, Calif. on 27 April 1999. VADM Michael L. Bowman, Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet, again inspected Nimitz on 23 June 1999. The crew of Nimitz performed their first baptism in the ship’s bell. The honor went to Blair A. Thomas, son of ICC Mary M. Thomas of the ships company on 9 July 1999. The crew of Nimitz and shipyard workers completed their final hull inspections and flooded Drydock No. 11 to 23 feet of water on the hull1 November 1999. Nimitz shifted berths from Drydock No. 11 to Outfitting Berth No. on 16 November 1999. VADM Michael L. Bowman, Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet, again inspected Nimitz on 22 November 1999. Nimitz began the New Year moored to Pier 2 at Newport News Shipbuilding on 1 January 2001. Nimitz completed her first test catapult shots (27) following overhaul on 2 March 2001. Nimitz turned around to face bow in at Pier 2 at Newport News. This is vital to preserve ships from the corrosion of the elements, to prepare them for sea and in this case, to also facilitate her propulsion plant dock trials on 19 March 2001. RCOH Installations: RIM-116A Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) System, a lightweight quick-reaction “fire-and-forget” missile designed to counter anti-ship missiles attacking in waves or streams, on her starboard bow; Integrated Communications and Advanced Networks (ICAN), which combined previously separate communications and navigation systems for greater efficiency; local area network comprising over 300 workstations serving seven geographical sites. Among the improvements to her electronic connectivity was the installation of a T-1 line; Global Command and Control System-Maritime; SEATEL satellite television system. On 28 June 2001, Nimitz arrived Pier 11N at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. conducting Sea Trials from 25 to 27 June 2001upon departure from Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp., Newport News, Virginia, temporary berthed at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., en route to the Virginia Capes operating area. Newport News announced the redelivery of Nimitz to the Navy. The carrier moored to Pier 11N at NS Norfolk, and the crew began onloading “Safe for Sea” ordnance, such as small arms ammunition.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), former CVA(N)-69 – 22/05/01 to 25/03/05 – In early 2001, Dwight D. Eisenhower underwent the Ship's Coordinated Offload and Outfitting Plan (SCOOP) in preparation for the mid-life Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH). Beginning on 5 March 2001, Captain Mark T. McNally declared all crew berthing and workspaces, with the exception of Engineering and Reactor, “uninhabitable,” and began moving the crew ashore. On 22 May 2001, Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to its birthplace of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp., Newport News, Virginia, for a 36-month $2.5 billion RCOH, deadsticking over to the yard during the morning of the 22nd, entering Drydock No. 11 two days later. The yard period will account for more than half the Dwight D. Eisenhower lifetime budget as nearly every space and system onboard is upgraded and overhauled. The complex renovations and major technological upgrades during its scheduled half-life are expected to extend the ship's service life well beyond 2025. The shipyard provided Floating Accommodation Facility (FAF), a $20 million, 300 foot barge fitted with berthing, galleys, office space and medical facilities. In addition, the crew required seven other facilities, nine contracted apartment complexes and four barracks for accommodations. The ship also established a support equipment storage facility at the Cheatham Annex at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, near Williamsburg, Va. Even with these additions the crew experienced housing congestion, but as Precommissioning Unit Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) proceeded toward their ship’s completion they vacated Huntington Hall and some contracted apartments in December 2002, enabling 175 crewmembers to relocate from Ft. Eustis to the hall. Dwight D. Eisenhower shifted from Drydock No. 11 to Outfitting Pier No. 1, commencing the flooding of the drydock on 9 December 2002, and shifting berths on the 15th. The Department of Defense announced that it awarded Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp. contract to extend the end date for the overhaul of Dwight D. Eisenhower by another 11 weeks to 6 November 2004, on 15 December 2003. Dwight D. Eisenhower reported that “nearly every space and system on board was upgraded and overhauled” during this massive project. The carrier unveiled her uniquely redesigned antenna mast during 2003. The crew installed two additional rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) for security, as they patrolled the James River. This proved to be fortuitous on 7 July 2004, when a RHIB crew saved 11 people in four different private boats in distress out on the river due to rough weather. The men and women of the ship completed crew certification and began moving back on board a few days later on the 12th, when they finished returning from FAF. Additional delays later extended her completion beyond that date, and her cost to approximately $2.5 billion, collectively generating heated debate among the media and in the Congress.
In the United States nuclear Navy, Refueling and Complex Overhaul (ROH/ RCOH) refers to a lengthy process or procedure performed on nuclear-powered Naval ships, which involves replacement of expended nuclear fuel with new fuel and a general maintenance fix-up and often modernization of the entire ship. In theory, such a process could simply involve only refueling or only an overhaul, but nuclear refueling is usually combined with an overhaul. An ROH usually takes a year to two years or longer to perform at a Naval shipyard. Time periods between ROH's on a ship have varied historically from about 5-20 years (for submarines) to up to 25 years (for Nimitz-class aircraft carriers). For modern submarines and aircraft carriers, ROH's are typically carried out about midway through their operating lifespan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refueling_and_overhaul
After spending 44 months in Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard for a major mid-life Refueling and Complex Overhaul, Dwight D. Eisenhower was redelivered to the fleet on 25 March 2005, after a four-year, approximately $2.5 billion dollar RCOH that brought state-of-the-art equipment and technology to one of America’s premier fighting platforms; extended 11 weeks for contract modification; successfully completed Crew Certification Phase II on 16 November 2004 and certified ready for sea The crew was inspected by Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (COMNAVAIRLANT) and Afloat Training Group (ATG) staff. Dwight D. Eisenhower moved to a different pier at Norfolk, Virginia on 8 February 2005; simulating an underway replenishment (UNREP) on 18 March 2005 with the Military Sealift Command ship USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189) while pierside at Naval Station Norfolk; returned to her homeport Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia on 25 March 2005 upon completion of post- Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) shipyard sea trials in the Western Atlantic from 23 to 24 March 2005, departing on 22 March 2005; returned to homeport Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia upon completion of shipyard sea trials in the Western Atlantic on 25 January 2005, commencing on 21 January 2005; extended 11 weeks for contract modification. Dwight D. Eisenhower successfully completed Crew Certification Phase II on 16 November 2004, certified ready for sea, deadsticked over to the yard for RCOH on 22 May 2001 during the morning of the 22nd, entering Drydock No. 11 two days later. At various times during the overhaul, her sailors served on board aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), amphibious assault ships USS Bataan (LHD-5), USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and USS Saipan (LHA-2), guided missile cruiser Leyte Gulf (CG-55), dock landing ship Carter Hall (LSD-50), guided missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81), combat stores ship Saturn (AFS-8) and fast combat support ship USS Seattle (AOE-3), as well as ashore at stations across the U.S. and in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Columbia, England, Guantánamo Bay, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Tugs towed the ship over to Norfolk on 25 January 2005” (Ref. 76, 383B, 692, 693, 694 & 695).
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Redelivered to the Fleet
“The RCOH included the reconstruction of the ship’s island, the installation of a new antenna mast, the installation of a new radar tower, an upgrade and modernization of combat and communication systems, overhaul of the ship's hull, mechanical and electrical systems, and the refueling of her two nuclear reactors. “I’m extremely proud of my crew. They have put their hearts and souls into bringing life back into this warship,” said Capptain Charles Smith, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower’s (CVN 69) (Ike) commanding officer. “It was truly a team effort, and my crew is excited to be underway. This is the start of Ike’s second life in serving our great nation.” One of the great successes of the overhaul was the ability of Ike’s Sailors to step up to the plate and augment the work performed by shipyard workers and contractors. “The crew logged more than 5.9 million man-hours in support of the RCOH,” said Lieutant Commander Brian Lepine, Ike’s maintenance manager. “Ike’s crew took on a ship’s force work package that, using conservative estimates, was $375 million worth of work. That’s money that we, as a crew, saved the American taxpayer.” Though life in the shipyard isn’t one seagoing Sailors are used to, the hard work paid off with the ship’s return to sea and the successful completion of Sea Trials, marking another milestone for Ike’s crew. “The purpose of Sea Trials was to test the various components that were worked on,” said Lieutant Commander John Stewart, Ike’s Sea Trials coordinator. “We took Ike out and put her through all the processes that are required of her in the defense of freedom.” While Ike’s crew operated their warship for the first time at sea following the RCOH, testing went on around the clock. Ike conducted various evolutions, such as high-speed runs and turns, communications system checks, countermeasure wash downs and helicopter operations. Manned with more than 3,300 Sailors and more than 490 Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard and Naval Sea Systems Command employees and contractors, Ike was the second Nimitz class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to complete an RCOH, following USS Nimitz (CVN-68). The improvements made on Ike over the last four years have prepared the carrier to serve for another 25 years. Ike’s next major milestones are to certify the flight deck and begin to conduct routine carrier operations at sea in preparation to participate in the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Response Plan” (Ref. 692 & Story Number: NNS050329-10 - Release Date: 3/29/2005 1:01:00 PM - From USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs - NORFOLK, Va. (NNS)). http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=17687
“Mid-Life Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) transitioned: LAN to metropolitan area network (MAN); message processing from NavMacs II to Personal Message Computer Terminal (PCMT); installations: RIM-116A Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) System, a lightweight quick-reaction “fire-and-forget” missile designed to counter anti-ship missiles attacking in waves or streams; rearchitectured NATO Sea Sparrow missile system; Radio Communications Suite (RCS), providing external afloat communications in support of “real world missions;” AN/SMQ-11; UMQ-12 Mini-Rawinsonde System; Integrated Communications Advanced Network (ICAN), which could distribute all navigation, communication and machinery controls” (Ref. 383B).
Carl Vinson (CVN-70) – 11/11/05 to 11/07/09 – Towed from Naval Station Norfolk to Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp., Newport News, Virginia where she will under go RCOH and will be completely refitted, and the nuclear fuel that powers the Nimitz-class carrier will be replenished in a period of 3 1/2 years. In the United States nuclear Navy, Refueling and Overhaul (ROH/ RCOH) refers to a lengthy process or procedure performed on nuclear-powered Naval ships, which involves replacement of expended nuclear fuel with new fuel and a general maintenance fix-up and often modernization of the entire ship. In theory, such a process could simply involve only refueling or only an overhaul, but nuclear refueling is usually combined with an overhaul. An ROH usually takes a year to two years or longer to perform at a Naval shipyard. Time periods between ROH's on a ship have varied historically from about 5-20 years (for submarines) to up to 25 years (for Nimitz-class aircraft carriers). For modern submarines and aircraft carriers, ROH's are typically carried out about midway through their operating lifespan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refueling_and_overhaul
“The Carl Vinson (CVN-70), the 70th aircraft carrier of the United States Navy by Hull No. and in order of commission, the 58th, commissioning at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Newport News, Virginia on 13 March 1982 and returned to its birthplace of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp., Newport News, Virginia for the third Nimtz Class aircraft carrier and fourth CVN to conduct a major mid-life Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) commencing on 11 November 2005, where she will be completely refitted, and the nuclear fuel that powers the Nimitz-class carrier will be replenished in a period of 3 1/2 years (commencing planning for 2005’s RCOH upon return from her second around-the-world deployment and home port transfer from Bremerton, Washington, from 13 January to 31 July 2005, with Carrier Strike Group 3, Carrier Air Wing 9, DESRON 31, the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-70), the guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG-77) and USS Mustin (DDG-89), the fast combat support ship USS Camden (AOE-2), and the attack submarine USS Olympia (SSN-717), conducting carrier qualifications in the Eastern Pacific, visiting San Diego, Calif. before JTFEX (Joint Task Force Exercise) off the coast of Calif., and upon conclusion of JTFEX, visited San Diego before departing for Apra Harbor, Guam in the Western Pacific, on her tenth Indian Ocean deployment, third North Arabian Sea deployment in support of her 2nd Maritime Security Operations (MSO) to protect offshore infrastructure, including Iraqi oil platforms, which provide a critical source of income for the new Iraqi government and her fifth Arabian Sea/Gulf (Persian Gulf) deployment in support of her 2nd Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein, commencing 20 March 2003, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein, commencing 20 March 2003international naval exercises, operating under operational control of the US Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet, on her first Gulf of Aden and Red Sea voyage, on her first Suez Canal transit and first voyage in the Mediterranean Sea” (Ref. 72, 76, 375 & 553).
Carl Vinson was redelivered to the U.S. Navy by the Northrop Grumman Corp. on 11 July 2009, concluding a 3 ½ year ROCH, while the overhaul was completed on 29 June 2009, when CVN-70 departed Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard for ship yard sea trials in the Western Atlantic from 29 June to 2 July 2009, returning to Norfolk, Virginia on 3 July 2009. Carl Vinson was towed from Naval Station Norfolk to Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard in order to begin the Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) on 11 November 2005. April 2006, installations: A prototype AN/WSC-3 SatCom antenna splitter which allowed the two OE-82C SatCom antennae to track two widely separated SatComs simultaneously. On 9 May 2007, Carl Vinson transited the James River en route to a pier-side dock after completing an 18-month dry dock period at Northrop Grumman Newport News. Carl Vinson conducted flight deck certification and carrier qualifications in the Western Atlantic from 11 to 31 July 2009, returning to Norfolk, Virginia on 1 August 2009, commencing after CVN-70’s departure from Norfolk on 10 July 2009.
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) - 29/08/09 to 29/08/13 – Commenced a shipboard coordinated off-load and outfitting plan (SCOOP) at Naval Station Norfolk June 15, preceded by off-loading ammunition off the coast of Virginia from 18 to 21 May 2009 in preparation of ROCH. So what exactly is a Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH), and how expensive is it likely to get before all is said and done? After nearly 25 years of service, the USA’s nuclear aircraft carriers undergo a 3-year maintenance period to refuel their nuclear reactors, upgrade and modernize combat and communication systems, and overhaul the ship’s hull, mechanical and electrical systems. This is the refueling and complex overhaul. During an American Nimitz Class carrier’s 50 year life span, it has 4 Drydocking Planned Incremental Availabilities and 12 Planned incremental availabilities. It has only one RCOH, however, which is the most significant overhaul the ship receives during its 50-year life span. See DID’s November 2005 coverage and detailing re: the CVN-70 USS Carl Vinson’s RCOH, which is expected to cost a total of $2.89 billion; about $1.94 billion went to Northrop Grumman for planning and execution. Note that the new CVN-21 Class will have a redesigned nuclear power plant whose features will affect its RCOH. The new system is expected to make use of advances from the USA’s Seawolf and Virginia Class submarine reactors, in order to eliminate expensive reactor refueling completely, increase the reactors’ output, and drop the number of people required to operate them.
Contracts & Key Events
Unless otherwise specified, all contracts are issued to Northrop Grumman’s Newport News in Newport News, VA by the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC.
Nov 16/06: A $65.3 million cost-plus-fixed fee, level of effort contract for FY 2007 advance planning in preparation for the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of the Theodore Roosevelt and its reactor plants. Northrop Grumman’s Newport News will perform the advance planning, design, documentation, engineering, material procurement, shipboard inspections, fabrication, and preliminary shipyard or support facility work. This contract was not competitively procured (N00024-07-C-2117).
Northrop Grumman Awarded $558 Million Planning Contract for USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Work
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Jan. 4, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a planning contract option from the U.S. Navy for the refueling and complex overhaul of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt. This option is valued at $186.4 million and continues work awarded in 2006. The total estimated value of the contract is $558.2 million. A photo accompanying this release http://media.primezone.com/noc.
USS George Washington (CVN-73) finished the Shipboard Consolidated Offload and Outfitting Plan (SCOOP), in preparation for RCOH on 8 May 2017 and entered the Dry Dock at HII Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., for a four-year Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) on 4 August 2017.
The company's Newport News sector will perform the work, which includes planning, design, documentation, engineering, material procurement, shipboard inspections, fabrication and preliminary shipyard or support facility work. The carrier is scheduled to arrive at the Newport News shipyard in 2009 for its first and only refueling during a service life expected to span approximately 50 years. "Our shipbuilders and Navy teammates are working together as a team to plan Theodore Roosevelt's Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH)," said Ken Mahler, vice president of aircraft carrier overhaul programs for Northrop Grumman's Newport News sector. "This collaboration continues our partnership with our Navy teammates and will help to ensure successful accomplishment of this major program." Theodore Roosevelt is the fourth Nimitz-class carrier built by Northrop Grumman, the nation's sole designer, builder and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. It will also be the fourth ship of the class to undergo this major life-cycle milestone. More than 1,300 employees will support the planning effort. Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $31.5 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide. The Theodore Roosevelt was built by Northrop Grumman’s Newport News sector. Commissioned on 25 October 1986, CVN-71 is expected to remain in service until 2036. As it approaches its mid-life stage, however, the wear begins to show. Instead of putting a ramp on its flight deck, buying it a nice red car, and pairing it with much younger ships, the US government has begun preparing instead for the RCOH of the Theodore Roosevelt and its reactor plants.
The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) awarded Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding a contract valued at approximately $2.4 billion for the refueling and complex overhaul of Theodore Roosevelt on 26 August 2009, entering the Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding for its first and only Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) during a service life expected to span approximately 50 years, the fourth to conduct a RCOH, which required the ship to return to its birthplace of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp., Newport News, Virginia. Northrop Grumman has valued the planning phase alone at $558 million.
“USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) with Rear Adm. Troy M. Shoemaker as Commander Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 embarked departed Naval Station, Norfolk, Va. 7 December 2011, with Captain John D. Alexander as Commanding Officer, embarking CVW-2 at San Diego, California, for a scheduled routine deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility, on her transfer to the East Coast from Naval Station, Everett, Washington, for Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Newport News (NGSB-NN) to commence upon completion of Ship’s Coordinated Offload & Outfitting Plan (SCOOP). During SCOOP, all equipment and material not permanently attached to the ship is removed in preparation for Abraham Lincoln’s upcoming overhaul, on her 11th “Westpac” deployment and her fourth North Arabian Sea deployment in support of her 4th Maritime Security Operations (MSO), supporting operations that are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity, her 4th Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), the "military response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, commencing on 7 October 2001, on her ninth Arabian/Persian Gulf deployment, operating under operational control of the US Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet, headquartered in Bahrain in 1993, while their former head quarters, USS LA SALLE departed for overhaul and reassignment, and the 5th Fleet in July 1995 reactivated with operational control of the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea, while U.S. Naval Forces Central Command operational control extends to the Indian Ocean following the war with Iraq (Operation Desert Storm), with the Commander, 7th Fleet, serving as naval component commander for Central Command, with the beginning of Operation Southern Watch.
On 26 October 2012, Abraham Lincoln departed Norfolk, Va. as a precaution against Hurricane Sandy-related storm conditions. From 26 to 31October 2012 in the Western Atlantic. On 1 November 2012, Abraham Lincoln returned to Norfolk, Va. Abraham Lincoln moved to Drydock 11 at Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding to begin the final stages of preparation for RCOH on 28 March 2013.
USS Abraham Lincoln Completes Final Fast Cruise Before Redelivery
“USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) spent the final days of its four-year Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) completing its official "Fast Cruise" from 2 to 7 May 2017, in preparation for the ship's long-awaited return to the fleet this month” (Ref. Story Number: NNS170508-32 - Release Date: 5/8/2017 12:18:00 PM - From CVN 72 Public Affairs - NEWPORT NEWS, Va (NNS)). http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=100320
170509-N-UX312-156 - JAMES RIVER, Va. (May 9, 2017) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) departs Newport News, Va., under its own power for the first time after successfully completing its mid-life refueling and complex overhaul. Abraham Lincoln will spend several days conducting sea trials, which will test many of the ship's key systems and technologies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matt Herbst/Released)
USS Abraham Lincoln Underway for Sea Trials
“USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) got underway for Sea Trails on 9 May 2017 following a four-year Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia. The four-day Sea Trails marks Abraham Lincoln's first time underway since March 2013. The ship spent its last days in the shipyard completing a five-day "Fast Cruise," from 2 to 7 May 2017, making final preparations for its transit to Naval Station Norfolk” (Ref. Story Number: NNS170509-18 - Release Date: 5/9/2017 1:30:00 PM - By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mark Logico, NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS)). http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=100378
Huntington Ingalls Industries Redelivers Aircraft Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to U.S. Navy
“Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced on 12 May 2017, that the company has redelivered the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) to the U.S. Navy. The redelivery took place following successful Sea Trials that tested the ship's systems following its refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at the company's Newport News Shipbuilding division” (Ref Christie Miller - Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. - By GlobeNewswire, May 12, 2017, 02:57:00 PM EDT).
170509-N-UX312-156 - JAMES RIVER, Va. (May 9, 2017) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) departs Newport News, Va., under its own power for the first time after successfully completing its mid-life refueling and complex overhaul. Abraham Lincoln will spend several days conducting sea trials, which will test many of the ship's key systems and technologies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matt Herbst/Released)
USS Abraham Lincoln Underway for Sea Trials
“USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) got underway for Sea Trails on 9 May 2017 following a four-year Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia. The four-day Sea Trails marks Abraham Lincoln's first time underway since March 2013. The ship spent its last days in the shipyard completing a five-day "Fast Cruise," from 2 to 7 May 2017, making final preparations for its transit to Naval Station Norfolk” (Ref. Story Number: NNS170509-18 - Release Date: 5/9/2017 1:30:00 PM - By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mark Logico, NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS)). http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=100378
Huntington Ingalls Industries Redelivers Aircraft Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to U.S. Navy
“Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced on 12 May 2017, that the company has redelivered the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) to the U.S. Navy. The redelivery took place following successful Sea Trials that tested the ship's systems following its refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at the company's Newport News Shipbuilding division” (Ref Christie Miller - Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. - By GlobeNewswire, May 12, 2017, 02:57:00 PM EDT).
Ref. A - http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/capabilities/rco.html Ref. B - http://www.sb.northropgrumman.com/products/acfleetservices/index.html
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
