USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) dismantlement
Posted: 07 Jan 2019 10:00
Just found this article about the dismantlement of the former USS ENTERPRISE.
This highlights a very interesting point about the pros and cons of nuclear ships. Nuclear power unquestionably gives tremendous advantages in terms of available power, speed and endurance. But those benefits come at a cost, namely that when they've outlived their usefulness, the disposal and/or storage of spent fuel and nuclear materials or components is a horrendously expensive, complex and time consuming process. It's difficult enough doing it with a smaller system like that in a SSN, let alone on a massive CVN with eight (yes, eight!) reactors.
ENTERPRISE's dismantlement is unprecedented and will be an interesting activity to follow over the coming years.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/milita ... ate=081018
This highlights a very interesting point about the pros and cons of nuclear ships. Nuclear power unquestionably gives tremendous advantages in terms of available power, speed and endurance. But those benefits come at a cost, namely that when they've outlived their usefulness, the disposal and/or storage of spent fuel and nuclear materials or components is a horrendously expensive, complex and time consuming process. It's difficult enough doing it with a smaller system like that in a SSN, let alone on a massive CVN with eight (yes, eight!) reactors.
ENTERPRISE's dismantlement is unprecedented and will be an interesting activity to follow over the coming years.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/milita ... ate=081018