tim52

U.S. Navy Cancels DDG-1000 Destroyer

Jul 24, 2008
Bettina H. Chavanne

DDG1000NorthropGrumman.jpeg

The U.S. Navy has halted procurement of its DDG-1000 destroyer, calling for building only the first two of seven ships originally planned.

Navy Secretary Donald Winter spent most of July 22 informing members of Congress of the service’s plans to cancel further procurement of the program, which is split between Northrop Grumman and Bath Iron Works. Just this past June, a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report said the DDG-1000 program raised “several potential oversight issues” including the accuracy of Navy cost estimates of the program, cost-effectiveness and affordability.

Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) member Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), released a statement July 23 detailing her meetings with Winter, Chief of Naval Operations Gary Roughead and separately, Bath Iron Works President Dugan Shipway.

Maine-based Bath Iron Works stands to lose a considerable amount from the cancellation. The company’s share of the contract for the DDG-1000 is $1.4 billion, according to Collins’ office.

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) released his own statement July 23, calling the decision to halt procurement of the DDG-1000 “unwise.” His spokesperson, Melissa Wagoner, said Kennedy is concerned about the cancellation of a long-term shipbuilding plan “without presenting an alternative plan to satisfy their future requirements.”

The SASC included $2.6 billion in its 2009 Defense Authorization bill for a third DDG-1000, to be built by Bath Iron Works. But the House version of the bill did not include any funding, which the Navy claimed resulted in its re-evaluation and eventual cancellation of the program (Aerospace DAILY, May 9).

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Stitch

I don't understand why this country continues to shoot itself in the foot; first the RAH-66 program, now this . . . . .

gunnut

The Commanche was a vestige of the Cold War. The environment it was built to live in doesn't exist any more. What good is stealth on your helo when the enemy doesn't have radar?

I think it's a good decision to cancel the Zum and evolve the Burke.

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Dreadnought

Before the Commanche we were working on the LHX program and that was just after the Osprey had moved up the ladder. LHX was cancelled sometime afterwards but the tecnology we advanced brought you the Apache and updated the Chinnok design fairly well.

IMO Take the two Zums and make them the first rail gun platforms for the future NGFS needs and go from there.

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Stitch

This is true, but the Comanche had more going for it than just LO; it was smaller than the AH-64 series, so it was easier to transport (particularly in the C-17), and also consumed fewer resources than a -64. It was capable of both light scout mission that the OH-58D is currently fulfilling, and attack missions which are currently tasked to the AH-64A/D.

ArmchairGeneral

The Comanche was not supposed to replace the Apache. It was primarily a scouting platform. Its role is being filled by UAVs.

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RustyBattleship

The Navy must be getting in some people who think logically instead of with sci-fi overactive imaginations.

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Dreadnought

Michigan_Guy

Agreed!

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Skywatcher

The Dale Brown syndrome strikes again!

Only this time it's hit the Navy instead.

mbear

So does this mean that all the subassemblies that were supposed to appear in the Zumwalt class will not be developed any longer?

I agree that they tried to bite off more than they could chew, but the fire fighting system, PVLS, radar, sonar, and computer system would be applicable to other ships, right?

Dreadnought

Atleast 2 will see completion from reports. I'm betting test beds for the rail gun technology along with the advanced systems mentioned.

Razz

This is going to have a negative impact to the CGX-21 program..maybe the radar issues(VSR,SPY-1E)are yet to be resolved?

dundonrl

from what I've seen.. they are going to start the Arleigh Burkes back up.. and use technology from the DDG-1000 ships for them..

CGXC runner

wahoo! they raised the number of DD-1000's back to 3. either way I say the more destroyers the better. whether they're DDG-51's or DD-1000's