Posted on 04/20/2010 5:03:10 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
After a laborious two-year overhaul beset by delays, cost overruns and unforeseen problems, Navy officials said Monday that the military's oldest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is once again ready for war.
The 49-year-old Enterprise, which has been docked at Northrop Grumman's Newport News shipyard since April 2008, was originally slated to return to service six months ago. That plan changed after repair crews discovered damage and decay - from rotted pipes to fried electronics - far beyond what they'd anticipated.
As the list of repairs grew, so did costs, to nearly $700 million from an initial estimate of $450 million.
That's led critics to question whether the money was worth it: The Navy plans to deploy the Big E just two more times before decommissioning the carrier in 2013.
On Monday, as the ship pulled into Norfolk Naval Station after its first post-overhaul sea test, officials with Northrop Grumman acknowledged that its journey back to service was a frustrating one.
"There were points when it seemed like it wasn't going to end because we just kept finding more and more damage," said Dan Klemencic, one of two Northrop Grumman directors assigned to the overhaul. "We had to find the right mix of 'fix it' or 'live with it.' "
(Excerpt) Read more at hamptonroads.com ...
ping
Living history.
or Corrosion?
Outdated electronics?
More electrical power, Mr. Scott?
It looks like ol’ Enterprise just might make it to retirement before the coming global conflagration.
Signatures for A Petition to name the next United States Navy nuclear powered aircraft carrier the USS ENTERPRISE
http://ussntrprs.epetitions.net/signatures.php?petition_id=784&page_next=0
MAN, DO I FEEL OLD NOW!
I was in basic training in San Diego in 1974. During a class on the second floor of one of the buildings I happened to look out and see the huge “65” pass over the taller buildings between the room and the bay. It was massive!
That was 36 years ago!
Seems like yesterday.
Never open a boat unless you are charging “time and materials”! Every time you “open up” an older boat for a refit you almost always find about twice the trouble and that almost always leads to twice the initial cost.
Good Point
What price freedom,,,,?? I’m OK with $450M or so...
Go Enterprise!
In other words, a typical DoD project.
Never open a boat unless you are charging “time and materials”! Every time you “open up” an older boat for a refit you almost always find about twice the trouble and that almost always leads to twice the initial cost.
WellyP, you must have been there done that too! And it’s all real repairs that need to be done! Sometimes wonder how we didn’t kill someone down the hole when the hidden deterioration was uncovered in the yards.
Jack
Well, if they decommission her in 2013, she’ll be in tip-top shape as a floating museum and possible return to duty.
Be sure to sign the Petition if you want CVN-79 to be USS Enterprise on post#6
“boat” stands for “break out another trillion.
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