U.S. Senators Blast The Cost Overruns For America's Newest Aircraft Carrier

Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the James River during the ship’s launch and transit to Newport News Shipyard pier three for the final stages of construction and testing. The Ford was christened Nov. 9, 2013, and is currently under construction at Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipyard (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Aidan P. Campbell/Released)

DoD Buzz: McCain: Ford-Class Overruns May Mean Fewer Supercarriers

The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday blasted the U.S. Navy’s Ford-class aircraft carrier program as an acquisition debacle.

Sen. John McCain, a Republican from Arizona who served as a naval aviator during Vietnam, didn’t waste anytime launching into his criticism of the sea service’s $40 billion effort to develop the first three new supercarriers.

“The Ford-class aircraft carrier program is one of our nation’s most complex and most expensive defense acquisition projects,” he said in his opening statement during a hearing on the matter. “It’s also become, unfortunately, one of the most spectacular acquisition debacles in recent memory — and that’s saying something.”

WNU Editor: The debate on what role (and how many aircraft carriers does the U.S. need) is just beginning .... How many aircraft carriers does the US need? (Seth Cropsey and Bryan McGrath, The Hill). More here .... What Navy does America choose if the aircraft carrier is doomed? (George F. Will, new York Post)

More News On The U.S. Senate Blasting The Cost Overruns For America's Newest Aircraft Carrier

Senators blast cost increases on U.S. Navy aircraft carrier -- Reuters
New Gerald R. Ford carrier class, as predicted, called $13 billion 'debacle' -- Stars and Stripes
Costly US Warship Reflects Pentagon Acquisition Dysfunction - McCain -- Sputnik
McCain Blasts Navy Carrier Procurement Program as a ‘Debacle’ -- Seapower
Why John McCain called this $13 billion aircraft carrier a “spectacular” debacle -- Washington Post
Ford aircraft carrier problems attributed to Pentagon 'culture' -- Daily Press
Senate raps cost jump for Gerald Ford aircraft carrier -- Detroit News
Document: GAO Report to Senate Armed Services Committee on Ford Aircraft Carrier Program -- USNI News
America’s Premier, Next-Gen Carrier Just Got Demolished In New Report -- Daily Caller