The US Navy has decided to extend the operational life of its oldest active aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz (CVN-68), delaying its planned decommissioning until 2027 in a move aimed at maintaining fleet readiness during a critical transition period.
Originally scheduled for retirement in 2026, the nuclear-powered supercarrier will now remain in service for an additional year, reflecting broader force structure requirements as the navy works to sustain its legally mandated carrier fleet.
The decision is underscored by a recent contract modification issued by Naval Sea Systems Command, awarding Huntington Ingalls Industries nearly $95.7 million to support advance planning and procurement of long-lead materials required for the ship’s eventual inactivation and defueling.
Work under the contract will be carried out in Newport News, Virginia, and is scheduled for completion by March 2027, aligning with the revised decommissioning timeline. The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, citing the unique capabilities required for nuclear-powered carrier work.
USS Nimitz has already begun its relocation from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The carrier departed Naval Base Kitsap on March 7, 2026. Nimitz has spent the majority of its five decades of service as the “Pacific Northwest’s Carrier,” deploying around the world to affirm the US Navy’s commitment to forward.
Most recently, Nimitz returned to Bremerton in December after nine months underway in the US 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleets. As flagship of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) during this period, the Nimitz and its crew completed more than 8,500 sorties and 17,000 flight hours, carried out 50 replenishments-at-sea aboard the carrier and sailed over 82,000 nautical miles combined.
Additionally, the NIMCSG supported US Africa Command operations by conducting strikes against ISIS targets in Somalia.
The lead ship of its class, USS Nimitz, was commissioned on May 3, 1975, and named in honor of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who achieved the highest rank in the US Navy as Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet during World War II.
The carrier underwent a mid-life refueling and complex overhaul between 1998 and 2001, extending its service life by decades.
The extension of USS Nimitz’s service reflects a broader strategic necessity. By keeping the carrier operational through 2027, the navy ensures continuity in its carrier strike capabilities as it prepares for the arrival and integration of newer platforms, it was highlighted. To remind, last month, USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, completed builder’s sea trials.