NEWPORT NEWS, Va., 26 Feb. 2007. The Nimitz aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) received a new mast Feb. 21 as part of the ship's three-year refueling and complex overhaul. The structure, installed by Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN), weighs 70 tons and provides a platform for radar and communication systems that will increase its warfighting capabilities.
The removal and reconfiguration of the island structure and main mast began after the ship arrived on November 11, 2005.
"This is a significant step in bringing Vinson back to life for another 23 years of service," says Capt. Thomas Moore, program manager for in-service aircraft carriers.
The ship is undergoing its lifecycle milestone at NGNN, which includes refueling the ship's reactors, warfighting modernization, and repairs to ship systems and infrastructure.
