Replies

I guess a complete overhaul probably costs more than building a new one

When CVN-78 was delayed by a few years the USN did a feasibility study into overhauling the Enterprise to fill in the gap (the Navy carrier fleet is set by law at 11 decks, with Enterprise leaving it'll temporarily drop to 10 until Ford is commissioned). They determined that it would cost $3 billion (which would include a refueling, which she would need) and allow her to conduct two more deployments.

Not cost effective. Unfortunately preserving her as a museum wouldn't be cost-effective either. Once she's defueled at Newport News (it'll take 3-4 years to do that) she'll be towed around South America and up to Puget Sound for scrapping. Since there won't be much in the way of hiding it, it's going to be painful to watch her get cut up in slow motion (that part will take at least another 4 years).

Hopefully some critical parts of her will be saved. Key amongst these are the five portholes in her bow auxiliary conning station and three in the CO's in-port cabin that came from the previous Enterprise (CV-6). Those NEED to find good homes somewhere, preferably in the next Enterprise. After that it's been speculated that her unique island could be removed and preserved. It would possibly seem like a weird decapitation ... but it's the most recognizable feature of the ship.