August 27, 2015
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Aug. 27, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries' (NYSE:HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division announced today that it has reintroduced steam to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) to begin final testing of the ship's steam-powered systems.
Moored at Outfitting Berth 1 at Newport News, Lincoln is in the final stages of its mid-life refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH). Shipbuilders and sailors are beginning to test steam-powered systems on board, including the main engine complex and the electrical generators.
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"As steam is reintroduced into Lincoln's piping systems and equipment is operated, the ship is truly coming back to life," said Chris Miner, Newport News' vice president of in-service aircraft carrier programs. "Once the work and final testing, including sea trials, is complete, Lincoln will be redelivered to the Navy as one of the most technologically advanced Nimitz-class carriers in the fleet."
Lincoln's RCOH began in March 2013. The entire process takes about 44 months. Newport News shipbuilders will complete more than 23 million man-hours of maintenance and modernization work preparing Lincoln for its return to the U.S. Navy fleet. The ship is on track to redeliver in 2016.
"We achieved another major milestone recently by establishing shore-steaming capabilities, thanks to my counterparts at Newport News Shipbuilding, but also to the men and women serving aboard USS Abraham Lincoln and many others who all played an important role in accomplishing this feat," said Capt. Ronald Ravelo, the ship's commanding officer.
RCOH is the mid-life refueling overhaul and maintenance availability of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier that produces a recapitalized carrier capable of supporting current and future warfare doctrine. Once Lincoln's RCOH is complete, the carrier will be equipped to operate in the U.S. Navy fleet for the second half of her 50-year expected service life.
HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII's mission is to deliver the world's most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.
As the nation's largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII's workforce is 44,000 strong.
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