U.S. Navy Forced to Scrap Heavily Fire-Damaged Assault Carrier: Decommissioning To Cost Around $30 Million

Following a major four day fire on the Wasp class amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard in July 2020, the U.S. Navy has decided to scrap the severely damaged warship rather than repairing it. This will bring the size of the American assault carrier fleet down to eight ships, after it very briefly rose to nine with the commissioning of a second America Class assault carrier in July 2020. The fire and explosion had damaged approximately 60% of the ship and caused 63 casualties among sailors and civilian firefighters, marking one of the worst accidents the Navy has suffered in recent years. The cause of the incident remains uncertain, with possible arson as an act of sabotage being suspected. The cost of scrapping the warship is estimated at $30 billion, while restoring the ship would have cost an estimated $2.5 to $3.2 billion. 

The Head of the Navy Regional Maintenance Center and the Director of Surface Ship Maintenance and Modernization at the Naval Sea Systems Command, Rear Admiral Eric Ver Hage, stated regarding the decision to scrap the carrier: "After thorough consideration, the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations have decided to decommission the Bonhomme Richard due to the extensive damage sustained during that July fire… In the weeks and months since that fire, the Navy conducted a comprehensive material assessment to determine the best path forward for that ship and our Navy." Conversion of the Bonhomme Richard to a hospital ship was also reportedly considered as a less costly option to restoring it to full operational capacity, but the Navy ultimately decided against it. The ship is likely to be replaced in frontline service by an America Class carrier, a design intended to replace the Wasp Class ships and displace around 45,000 tons each. Wasp Class ships are among the most versatile carriers in the world, and could be outfitted with armoured vehicles, attack helicopters and a contingent of several hundred Marines for amphibious landings. Each can alternatively accommodate up to 20 Harrier II or F-35B vertical landing capable fighter jets to allow them to operate as full aircraft carriers. The newer America Class ships notably have all the same configurations.