Former USS Enterprise being prepared for finale tow
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Final preparations are underway at Newport News Shipbuilding to prepare for the departure of the longest — and quite possibly one of the most long lived and prosperous — naval vessel ever built.
Tuesday, Newport News Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson shared that an aircraft elevator had moved for the final time on board the former USS Enterprise (CVN65.)
The ship, which also happens to be the Navy's first nuclear aircraft carrier, is slated to be dismantled in the next few years. The elevators, used to move aircraft from the hangar bay to the flight deck, are being permanently attached to the flight deck in preparation for the ships move to the yet to be announced shipyard that'll complete the work.
Built between 1958-1961 by Newport News Shipbuilding, the ship, also known as 'The Big E,' served for more than 50 years before being decommissioned in 2017.
While a final tow date has yet to be announced, HII has already announced that some steel has already been cut in order to be apart of the next Enterprise (CVN80.)
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