Applying risk management to reduce the time in lay-up while increasing the cost effectiveness of a Nimitz (CVN 68) class aircraft carrier in dry dock during the execution phase of a refueling and complex overhaul

Abstract

The Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) of an aircraft carrier is one of the most important milestones in a carrier's lifecycle. An RCOH supports the future modernization efforts that will sustain the carrier and extend its nuclear fuel lifetime an additional twenty-five years. To date only two Nimitz class carrier overhauls have been completed, with a third in progress. Although these RCOHs were viewed as overall successes, they were unsuccessful from a risk management perspective because ultimately resulted in consecutive delivery delay and increased cost. This research assessed three (3) possible risk mitigation strategies for achieving cost and time effectiveness of a Nimitz class nuclear powered aircraft carrier (CVN) in dry-dock during the execution phase of an RCOH. The strategies evaluated were (1) to maintain the current RCOH process, (2) reduce and defer non-nuclear maintenance coupled with schedule compression, and (3) increase the efficiency of power usage of carriers with the intent of eliminating the need for refuelings. The results of this research indicate that eliminating a carrier's RCOH increases its overall cost and time effectiveness. It also reveals that a 33-year carrier lifecycle, as opposed to a 50-year lifecycle, increases the ship's operational availability and modernization capability.