Re: Future U.S. Navy Shipbuilding
Tiger
> X-No-Archive: Yes
>
> Hi guys:
>
> I think it is fairly uncontroversial that the DDG-1000 program is in
> trouble and losing popularity, both in Congress and in the U.S. Navy.
> I was wondering what happens if the funding gets cut and the class
> limited to two vessels, as seems likely.
>
> What will be the future goals and direction of U.S. Navy
> shipbuilding? Will the focus be on land-attack, or ballistic missile
> defense, or power projection with carriers?
>
You asking a very complex question. More Strategic policy, than
shipbuilding. The basic answer to the above is ALL are of importance.
Support for land ops both USMC & ARMY will continue by ship & Naval
aviation. The Navy will be a prime player in missile defence plans.
Carriers will continue to be the primary focus of naval power projection.
> What types of ships will be built? For example, more amphibious
> assault vessels? More minesweepers? More submarines?
That may be more of a budget issue than a security issue. There does not
seem to be any plans for buying any large numbers of the above. The NAvy
will be faced with maintaining it's size rather than expanding greatly.
The recent rise in fuel costs may also change how the Navy operates &
buys future ships. Minesweepers tend to be a low priority item so don't
expect any. Subs are being built just enough to maintain the production
base from closing.
>
> What types of technologies are maturing and ripening enough to be
> included in near-term future warships? The Navy seems to think that
> stealth technology is important enough that it affected the design of
> the DDG-1000... Electric drives? Directed energy weapons? UCAVs?
Near term, not much. The long term tech stuff again depends on budgets
and world threats. Stealth will be a factor all new designs however.
UCavs will take a back seat till current manned programs like the P8,
V-22, & F35 are underway fully.
>
> What future directions should the U.S. Navy take, and what missions is
> it likely to be given?
>
> thanks
>
The traditional roles & missions will remain. The focus on non blue
water operations will be the big future direction.