Navy seeks balance between building more ships, and keeping those it has properly maintained and equipped
WASHINGTON – A top Navy official suggested today the service is reconsidering its long-stated goal of a fleet of 355 ships, floating the idea that a number around 310 ships would be about the best it can do if current funding projections hold. Breaking Defense reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
31 Oct. 2019 -- Without big increases in shipbuilding accounts over the current five-year budget projection, “we can keep around 305 to 310 ships whole — properly manned, properly maintained, properly equipped,” says Navy vice chief Adm. Robert Burke.
As it stands now, the Navy has 290 ships, and will hit 300 by next fall, but as Navy leadership tries to build more ships, it has to confront two significant problems: keeping the ships it has properly maintained and equipped, and wrestling with what are expected to be flat or declining budgets in the coming years.
Only about 30 percent of the Navy destroyer fleet can leave port on time after repairs, while six of the service’s 11 aircraft carriers are in dock under repair, including the USS Harry S. Truman, which was supposed to deploy to the Middle East last month but has been hobbled by electrical problems.
Related: Navy ramping up fleet and technologies to face new threats
Related: Navy modernizing maritime forces
Related: Navy pushes shipboard unmanned systems, lethality upgrades
John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
