Thread: U.S. Navy Cancels DDG-1000 Destroyer

Originally Posted by tim52

U.S. Navy Cancels DDG-1000 Destroyer

Jul 24, 2008
Bettina H. Chavanne

Attachment 11213

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).

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

Originally Posted by Stitch

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

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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

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

Originally Posted by RustyBattleship

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

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