CVN Refueling Overhauls

CVN Refueling Overhauls is the Navy's program for refueling nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and repairing and upgrading them during a Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH). It is funded under Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy, Budget Activity 02, Other Warships, Budget Sub Activity 1. Reactor refueling and main-propulsion work are intended to sustain reliable operations for more than 23 remaining years of ship life using the normal maintenance cycle. The carriers support aircraft attacks against threats afloat and ashore and sustained operations with other forces.

CVN 75 RCOH receives its third and final year of full funding in FY 2027, following advance procurement from FY 2020 through FY 2024 and full funding beginning in FY 2025. The request supports a planned September 2026 construction start at Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding. Section 123 of the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act limits incremental funding to six years after advance-procurement funds were first obligated in October 2020. Preliminary work begins at Naval Station Norfolk before dry-dock availability; a late shipbuilder proposal and negotiations postponed contract award to September 2026. The assessed 62-month work package now leads to planned redelivery in November 2031.

CVN 75 Ship and Sailor Support covers an overhaul whose scope and duration exceed the notional RCOH because of the ship's condition, including its largest-ever tank work package. The estimate adds repair and overhaul of four main engines that were not previously planned, as well as workforce-development incentives intended to improve shipbuilder recruitment, training, retention, capacity, and productivity. Work formerly assigned to Ship's Force is being rescreened for private industry in alignment with Quality of Service directives. FY 2027 funding also completes parking garages, programmable space, and enhancements to a multi-use facility initially funded in FY 2024. Off-ship housing is budgeted throughout the overhaul for assigned sailors who normally live aboard and do not receive Basic Allowance for Housing, regardless of rank.

CVN 75 Combat Systems include Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) integration of sensors, weapons, data links, and command-and-control elements; Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) sharing of a fire-control-quality air picture; and Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) for air search, surface warfare, and air traffic control. The Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3 installation provides the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 with additional electronic attack capability, replacing the Block 2 configuration used for CVN 74. Funding covers hardware purchased outside an originally planned multi-platform bulk buy and four sponsons needed for the system's space and positioning requirements. Other defenses include a refurbished NATO Seasparrow system upgraded to Mod 17 and Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) modernization.

CVN 75 Aviation and Communications work includes the Unmanned Aviation Warfare Center, where pilots will control MQ-25A aircraft and distribute their sensor data using carrier networks. Its control station combines pilot consoles and servers with video, air-traffic, mission-planning, and radio systems; associated work modifies spaces and infrastructure across the ship. Aviation equipment repairs and upgrades launch and recovery systems, landing aids, and flight-deck support equipment needed for final Flight Deck Certification. Communications work renews tactical connectivity and shipboard voice, machinery-control, navigation-data, and ship-control networks. Landing-system overhauls also support post-RCOH air-traffic certification and all-weather aircraft recovery.

CVN 74 RCOH receives FY 2027 cost-to-complete funding for cost growth, time-related charges, and a further five-month delivery delay. Its redelivery is now planned for April 2028 because of the pace of work and testing supporting Steam Plant Testing. Earlier poor performance on communications infrastructure required a new contractor, corrective rework, additional materials, and rescheduling that affected several command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence tasks. Previously appropriated Operations and Maintenance, Navy funding for reactor power units procured for CVN 74 77 is included in overhaul end costs under the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act.

CVN 76 RCOH Advance Procurement begins in FY 2027 as the first of four advance-procurement years, ahead of full funding beginning in FY 2031 and a subsequent full-funding year in FY 2032. Requested work comprises planning engineering, shipchecks and oversight, drawing development, prime-contractor advance planning, an integrated master schedule, and technical studies. Basic ship work includes advance procurement for replacement of all four aircraft elevators; propulsion funding secures critical components. Separate hull, mechanical, and electrical; electronics; and ordnance activities begin long-lead government-furnished procurement and technical planning for ship systems, combat and interior communications, radars, and weapons. The Navy schedules construction to start in October 2030 and delivery for February 2035.

Maritime Industrial Base Improvements are a separate mandatory component of the FY 2027 request, directed specifically at U.S. surface maritime industrial-base productivity through firefighting improvements. The request does not procure an additional overhaul hull in FY 2027. Its discretionary work instead sustains the funded CVN 75 overhaul, completes the identified CVN 74 costs, and initiates CVN 76 long-lead preparations.