Naval Air Article Index : Current 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
 Latest
 News 		  Most
 Read 		  Most
 Commented		  Hot
 Topics

October 11, 2003

The U.S. Navy has decided to delay, for one year, the refueling and refurbishment of one of its nuclear powered aircraft carriers (the USS Carl Vinson.) The ship will be taken out of service in late 2005, rather than (as long planned) late 2004. The Carl Vinson's reactors have sufficient nuclear fuel left  to keep the ship going for another year, and the ship has no major maintenance problems. Apparently the navy feels it is really important that this one extra carrier be available for that extra year.