NEWPORT NEWS, Va., April 19, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) successfully redelivered the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), to the U.S. Navy today. The redelivery follows the completion of an Extended Drydock Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA). The project is the ship’s last dry docking before deactivation and was performed by the company’s Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va.

“Enterprise is an extremely complex ship that required an extraordinary effort on the part of the shipbuilding team and the ship’s crew to get her through the availability and back in the fight,” said Capt. Ron Horton, Enterprise’s commanding officer. “The relationships that were built between my crew and the shipbuilding team will last a lifetime. This truly was an amazing performance by everyone, and it has been the highlight of my career to have been a part of it.”

The carrier, which departed for sea trials on April 17, returned to Naval Station Norfolk today flying a broom on its mast to signify a clean sweep and a successful sea trial. Sea trials are conducted to test systems, components and demonstrate operations at sea. The trials also include high-speed runs and a demonstration of the carrier’s other capabilities.

“Enterprise is a very special ship to us. She’s our first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and this maintenance period was another historic chapter in her life,” said David Long, Enterprise program director for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. “This availability could not have been completed so successfully without the talent, dedication and teamwork of our shipbuilders, CVN 65 crew members, Supship and Navsea personnel, and our suppliers. We pulled together as an integrated team to take on the unique challenges presented by this one-of-a-kind, 48-year-old ship and are returning her to the fleet ready to execute her critical missions around the globe. This is a proud and historic moment for us all, seeing her leave for her last sea trial.”

Work during the EDSRA included dry docking work, tank blasting and coating, hull preservation, propulsion and ship system repairs and limited enhancements to various hull, mechanical and electrical systems.

USS Enterprise is the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the only ship of its class. It was built by Newport News and joined the U.S. Navy’s fleet in 1961. Northrop Grumman has been responsible for accomplishing the majority of scheduled and emergent maintenance on USS Enterprise since 1994. 

Source: Northrop Grumman