Navy Plans Test of Aircraft Carrier Power for Naval Station Norfolk

U.S. Navy plans to test delivery of electricity from a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia later this year. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao disclosed the initiative during a May 14 House Armed Services Committee hearing. ” “We’re going to export the energy from the aircraft carrier to the base,” Cao said.

A Navy spokesperson told Military Times that the service is executing a multi-pronged strategy to ensure delivery of firm, baseload power to installations for energy resilience and mission assurance. One element of that strategy is to demonstrate the capability to meet emergent, mission-critical needs by delivering power from a Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to a compatible shore installation.

An initial test of this capability is scheduled for later this year at Naval Station Norfolk. The Navy did not name the specific carrier that will be used.

During the same hearing, Chief of Naval Operations Adm.

Daryl Caudle said the Navy aims to establish a reactor pilot program comparable to existing Army and Air Force programs. He added that the service needs to stop “dithering” and set a target date for a pilot. Cao also noted that nuclear power from an aircraft carrier could be used to support military bases or supply potable water to drought-stricken areas.