U.S. Navy pursuing block buy of two aircraft carriers: senator

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

POLITICS DECEMBER 31, 2018 / 7:23 PM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO

U.S. Navy pursuing block buy of two aircraft carriers: senator

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy has informed lawmakers of its intent to pursue a block purchase of two Ford-class aircraft carriers, Senator Tim Kaine’s office said on Monday, a step officials have said could save billions of dollars as the Trump administration tries to expand the size of the fleet.

The decision comes nine months after the Navy expressed interest in a block buy and asked shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries for detailed pricing on the cost of two aircraft carriers as it considered doubling its order for the most expensive ship in the U.S. fleet in a bid to save money.

The Navy commissioned the first Ford-class aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, in July 2017, three years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget. The Ford cost about $13 billion.

The Navy has said it would spend about $43 billion in total to build the first three ships in the Ford class. Huntington Ingalls Chief Executive Mike Petters has said multi-ship purchases are the best way to reduce costs.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-defense-carriers/u-s-navy-pursuing-block-buy-of-two-aircraft-carriers-senator-idUSKCN1OV189

[PaulX2]

1. Wasted Money Down A Rathole

Make the billionaires pay for perpetual war.

[JayhawkSD]

2. Cheaper yet by the dozen.

I'll tell the Navy what I told the guy who said that I could save $4000 by buying a new car this weekend.

I told him I could save $24,000 by not buying a new car at all, since my present car still runs just fine.

[dameatball]

3. Are elevators included on these?

[Historic NY]

4. As long as none are named trump