Seasick wrote:
JFK is in awful shape, Kitty Hawk might be possible. The ships would need a overhaul on a level higher than the old SLEPs. But if it was done, the islands would need to be modified to current standards. SPY-3 or SPY-4 radars low observable mast, VL ESSM, RAM. New sponsons, new railings, lots of stuff replaced. Be interesting.
That would be a pretty interesting configuration for sure! In order to make all of those mods to work, they would need to do a full SLEP, like you suggested, that didn't just add just another 10-15 years to their service lives but a BB WIP modernization that would have added 25 years to their service aka more of an RCOH the CVNs receive, renamed as a "ReConditioning and OverHaul".
From what the Navy says, the
Ford is likely the only one who is going to get the static phased arrays. Instead, the successors will get a single rotating antenna, more like a super SPS-48 to save money. It's always less expensive to have 1 or 2 arrays rather than 3-6. The low-observable mast would be pretty easy, and the ESSM could be better accommodated using the existing Mk29 launchers. RAM and Phalanx Block 1B are easy installations. The real difficulty would be in the guts of the ship. While the common readers know I am a battleship reactivation logistics guy, brining back a CV would require a lot more effort and time.
NAVSEA said the heavy cruisers
Albany and
Columbus could have been reconditioned to be NTU Tartar-D ships mounting Mk71 and Mk45 guns with 128 Mk41 VLS at the cost of $800 million, but the Navy would rather spend that $1.6 Billion toward reactivating the 4 Iowa-class battleships and rebuilding their supply structure. Those cruisers would have had their super structures cut down to the deck and re-built like the CGNs forward of the midline and Spruance helo hangar aft of the centerline. My understanding is that the most challenging part of that would have been reconditioning the propulsion plant. Years of poor maintenance made those ships worn and tired.
To the point, CVs could be reconditioned in a similar manner. They know what's broken on the mothballed CVs. They would just need to start soon, have a plan, and execute it.
However, I think with the proper modifications to those CVs, it would be worth it.
Hooyah, Seasick!