Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division is continuing the refurbishment of the US Navy’s fifth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln.
As part of the ship’s refuelling and complex overhaul (RCOH), Newport News shipbuilders transferred one of 30t anchors from the inactivated aircraft carrier USS Enterprise to the Lincoln.
The swap took place after inspections found that one of the Lincoln’s anchors needed to be replaced, and provides the vessel with two working anchors that will enable sailors to test the carrier’s anchor-lift system during sea trials, which are scheduled for 2016.
Also known as CVN 65, USS Enterprise was originally built by Newport News in the 1960s, and is currently docked at the shipyard’s Pier 2 for decommissioning in 2016.
Newport News in-service aircraft carrier programmes vice-president Chris Miner said: "The legacy of Enterprise will live on in her sailors, her shipbuilders and now in the anchor aboard Lincoln.
"The ships are reaching important milestones in their lives. Lincoln will finish her mid-life RCOH, and Enterprise will finish her inactivation, both in 2016.
"With this anchor, both ships will be linked, and Lincoln will carry Enterprise’s spirit as it returns to the fleet."
Performed as part of the navy’s $2.6bn cost-plus-incentive-fee contract awarded in April 2013, the ROCH process includes refuelling the ship’s reactors, painting the ship’s hull and systems modernisation, as well as a complete recapitalisation of the entire vessel.
The multi-year process is currently 45% complete and will eventually produce a recapitalised carrier capable of supporting both existing and future warfare doctrine.
The refurbished Abraham Lincoln is on track for delivery in October 2016 and is expected to continue to operate in the navy fleet for another 25 years.
Image: A Newport News Shipbuilding team replaces USS Abraham Lincoln’s anchor with one removed from USS Enterprise. Photo: courtesy of Ricky Thompson / HII.
