Summary and Key Points: The USS Nimitz (CVN-68), the lead ship of the Nimitz-class supercarriers, is nearing the end of its service life with retirement planned for 2027. The U.S. Department of Defense has already awarded an $18 million contract for pre-advanced planning to begin the process of defueling and inactivation.
-Despite calls to extend its life, the carrier is undergoing final upgrades and preparations for potential last deployments.
-Decommissioning a nuclear-powered...