Key Points and Summary – The midlife overhaul of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis is facing a 14-month delay, pushing its return to service to October 2026 and extending its total downtime to over five years.
-The setback is blamed on pandemic-related disruptions and the discovery of unexpected, significant component damage.
Norfolk Naval Shipyard welcomed USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) for a Planned Incremental Availability Jan. 11. In addition to equipment maintenance, this availability will improve ship safety along with communications and combat system upgrades.
-This situation is eerily similar to the disastrous, nearly six-year overhaul of the USS George Washington.
-The prolonged absence of a key capital ship reduces the Navy’s fleet readiness and its ability to project power at a time of rising global tensions.
Aircraft Carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) Is Out of Action
The USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) has been a vital component of the United States Navy since its commissioning in December 1995.
Named after Senator John C. Stennis, a staunch supporter of the Navy and national defense, the carrier has played a prominent role in the U.S. Navy’s strategy across the globe.
For the past five years, however, the carrier has been out of commission, undergoing a routine overhaul.
The process, however, has been anything but smooth, and the carrier’s reentry into service has been delayed by over a year.
Where is Stennis Now?
Despite its distinguished service record, the Stennis has been out of action since 2021, undergoing a Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. This overhaul is a standard but extensive midlife process for nuclear-powered carriers, typically occurring around the 25-year mark of their service life.
The RCOH is designed to refuel the ship’s nuclear reactors and modernize virtually every aspect of the vessel, from its propulsion systems and combat capabilities to its living quarters and electronic infrastructure.
Two F-35C Lightning II carrier variant joint strike fighters conduct the first catapult launches aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The F-35 Lightning II Pax River Integrated Test Force from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 is conducting initial at-sea trials aboard Nimitz. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Dane Wiedmann/Released)
The goal is to extend the carrier’s operational life by another 25 years, ensuring it remains a formidable and technologically advanced asset in the Navy’s fleet.
Originally expected to take about four years, the RCOH for the Stennis has exceeded that timeline by several years.
As of the time of writing, the ship remains in the shipyard, with redelivery now projected for October 2026, which was initially scheduled for August 2025.
This extended downtime has prompted questions about the causes of the delay and its implications for naval readiness and strategic planning.
Why the RCOH Has Taken So Long
One of the primary reasons for the prolonged overhaul is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic disrupted supply chains and significantly affected workforce availability at Newport News Shipbuilding.
These disruptions slowed down labor-intensive processes and delayed the procurement of critical materials and components.
The shipyard, like many others in the defense industrial base, faced challenges in maintaining a steady and skilled workforce, which compounded the delays.
Another major factor contributing to the extended timeline was the discovery of unexpected damage during inspections.
One of the ship’s eight steam turbine generators, which are essential for converting nuclear energy into usable mechanical and electrical power, was found to be significantly degraded.
Nimitz-class carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) transits the Atlantic Ocean while offloading munitions via helicopter to the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), June 27, 2025. Gerald R. Ford, a first-in- class nuclear aircraft carrier and deployed flagship of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, incorporates modern technology, innovative shipbuilding designs, and best practices from legacy aircraft carriers to increase the U.S. Navy’s capacity to underpin American security and economic prosperity, deter adversaries, and project power on a global scale through sustained operations at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jarrod Bury)
This damage exceeded normal wear and tear, necessitating unplanned repairs that added substantial time and complexity to the overhaul process.
Another USS George Washington Incident?
The RCOH on the Stennis is eerily similar to the disastrous RCOH that the USS George Washington (CVN-73) underwent from 2017 to 2023.
During that overhaul, several suicides among crew members prompted investigations into the quality of life for sailors stationed aboard ships undergoing long-term maintenance.
As a result, the Navy implemented reforms to improve living conditions for the Stennis crew during the RCOH. These included better housing arrangements, such as off-ship apartments instead of barracks, enhanced amenities, and increased mental health support.
While the crew is now being treated better, the delays that Stennis is now facing are not dissimilar to the ones that Washington faced.
Budgetary and planning issues have further complicated the situation. The Navy’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget reflects increased costs associated with the extended RCOH, including additional months of crew berthing and support services.
The Navy is conducting studies to understand the root causes of these delays better and to develop strategies for streamlining future overhauls, such as the upcoming RCOH for the USS Harry S. Truman.
As of mid-2025, the Stennis has completed its dry dock phase and has moved to the outfitting berth at Newport News Shipbuilding.
More than 65% of the RCOH is complete, and the ship is now undergoing final installations and testing.
These include the integration of refurbished propellers, updated shafts, and a redesigned mast to accommodate modern radar and communications equipment. The ship is also receiving upgrades to its aircraft launch and recovery systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and combat support infrastructure.
What Stennis’ Absence Means for the Navy
Considering the current geopolitical landscape, the U.S. Navy needs all the carriers it can get. With global tensions rising in regions such as the Red Sea, the South China Sea, and Eastern Europe, the Navy is under pressure to maintain a robust and flexible presence.
The temporary loss of a major carrier like the Stennis reduces the Navy’s ability to rotate assets efficiently and maintain continuous coverage in key strategic areas.
This is particularly concerning given the Navy’s current fleet of 11 aircraft carriers, several of which are also undergoing maintenance or upgrades.
Meanwhile, other global powers, notably China, are expanding their naval capabilities.
China recently launched its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which features advanced technologies and reflects the country’s growing ambitions in maritime power.
As the U.S. grapples with maintenance delays and industrial base challenges, the balance of naval power in the Indo-Pacific region is shifting, raising concerns about the long-term strategic posture of the United States.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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