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The Aviationist • Kai Greet

USS Nimitz Returns to Bremerton, Slated for Decommissioning as HII Wins Contract Modification

After nearly 50 years of service, nuclear‑powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz returned to Naval Base Kitsap–Bremerton on Dec. 16, 2025 following its final scheduled deployment and is slated for decommissioning next year. Huntington Ingalls Industries has received a contract modification to support work tied to the ship’s inactivation.

2025-12-24T10:08:41.215059-08:00

FlightGlobal

DoD: China's 'historic' military buildup — 1,189+ satellites, 510+ ISR, nuclear and carrier expansion raise U.S. vulnerability

2025-12-24T09:52:50.024415-08:00

Reuters

France greenlights PA‑Ng carrier programme; Charles de Gaulle to be replaced from 2038

2025-12-21T07:34:00.612540-08:00

Business Insider

Turkey revises first aircraft carrier to 300 m (984 ft) and begins construction, approaching US Nimitz/Ford-class lengths

2025-12-21T21:50:42.369395-08:00

News Timeline

The Aviationist

USS Nimitz Returns to Bremerton, Slated for Decommissioning as HII Wins Contract Modification After nearly 50 years of service, nuclear‑powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz returned to Naval Base Kitsap–Bremerton on Dec. 16, 2025 following its final scheduled deployment and is slated for decommissioning next year. Huntington Ingalls Industries has received a contract modification to support work tied to the ship’s inactivation.

2025-12-24T10:08:41.215059-08:00

USS Nimitz Returns to Bremerton, Slated for Decommissioning as HII Wins Contract Modification

FlightGlobal

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DoD: China's 'historic' military buildup — 1,189+ satellites, 510+ ISR, nuclear and carrier expansion raise U.S. vulnerability The Department of Defense's 2025 report calls the People's Liberation Army's modernization "historic," saying China now operates more than 1,189 satellites — over 510 dedicated to space-based ISR — while accelerating nuclear forces, aircraft carrier growth and sixth‑generation fighter testing, heightening U.S. deterrence challenges.

2025-12-24T09:52:50.024415-08:00

DoD: China's 'historic' military buildup — 1,189+ satellites, 510+ ISR, nuclear and carrier expansion raise U.S. vulnerability

UK Defence Journal

UK MoD says there are no current plans to fit defensive laser weapons to Royal Navy carriers The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed there are currently no plans to fit defensive laser weapons directly to the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers, saying the capability is not planned for carrier platforms at present or scheduled for procurement at this time.

2025-12-22T11:45:19.018998-08:00

UK MoD says there are no current plans to fit defensive laser weapons to Royal Navy carriers

Business Insider

Turkey revises first aircraft carrier to 300 m (984 ft) and begins construction, approaching US Nimitz/Ford-class lengths Turkey has revised its first aircraft carrier to 300 metres (approximately 984 ft) and confirmed construction has begun; the ship will be larger than the Anadolu amphibious assault ship. At that length it approaches the size of US Nimitz- and Ford-class carriers, reshaping Turkey's naval aviation profile.

2025-12-21T21:50:42.369395-08:00

Turkey revises first aircraft carrier to 300 m (984 ft) and begins construction, approaching US Nimitz/Ford-class lengths

Reuters

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France greenlights PA‑Ng carrier programme; Charles de Gaulle to be replaced from 2038 President Emmanuel Macron has authorised France’s next‑generation nuclear‑powered aircraft carrier programme (PA‑Ng) to enter the realization phase, confirming Charles de Gaulle will be replaced from 2038. Macron said the new carrier will house about 30 fighter jets and 2,000 sailors, announcing the decision while visiting troops in the Gulf.

2025-12-21T07:34:00.612540-08:00

France greenlights PA‑Ng carrier programme; Charles de Gaulle to be replaced from 2038

Aviation Today

Navy and Boeing push MQ-25 Stingray first flight into early 2026 The U.S. Navy and Boeing have pushed the MQ-25A Stingray's maiden carrier-based flight-test into early 2026, the government-industry team said, citing continued development and verification work. The delay alters the programme's flight-test schedule while teams report ongoing systems integration and readiness activity.

2025-12-18T09:55:19.334950-08:00

Navy and Boeing push MQ-25 Stingray first flight into early 2026

USNI News

PLA carrier Fujian (CV-18) transits Taiwan Strait for second time as Taipei monitors surge in PLA activity China's PLA Navy carrier Fujian (CV-18) transited the Taiwan Strait this week, a passage Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said was its second through the waterway. Taipei monitored the ship closely, reported an empty flight deck and no observed aircraft, amid a broader surge in PLA air and naval activity.

2025-12-17T09:11:59.186571-08:00

PLA carrier Fujian (CV-18) transits Taiwan Strait for second time as Taipei monitors surge in PLA activity

Stars and Stripes

USS Nimitz returns to Bremerton ahead of scheduled decommissioning After nearly 50 years since she first set sail, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) has arrived at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton for the final time; the ship will enter scheduled decommissioning next year, closing five decades of U.S. carrier operations.

2025-12-15T16:21:55.701910-08:00

USS Nimitz returns to Bremerton ahead of scheduled decommissioning

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Aircraft Carrier News

USS Nimitz Returns to Bremerton, Slated for Decommissioning as HII Wins Contract Modification

DoD: China's 'historic' military buildup — 1,189+ satellites, 510+ ISR, nuclear and carrier expansion raise U.S. vulnerability

France greenlights PA‑Ng carrier programme; Charles de Gaulle to be replaced from 2038

Turkey revises first aircraft carrier to 300 m (984 ft) and begins construction, approaching US Nimitz/Ford-class lengths

News Timeline