Popular Mechanics: The US Navy Could Grow to 355 Ships by 2032
The key is taking care of them.
The U.S. Navy wants to grow its fleet to 355 ship, and it may have found a way to reach that goal a full 20 years early: by keeping ships in the fleet longer. Surface ships, including frigates, destroyers, cruisers, and even amphibious ships could extend their operational lifespans while at the service beefs up its total number of vessels.
U.S. Naval Institute News reports that Vice Admiral Tom Moore, head of Naval Sea Systems Command, believes the Navy could reach its vaunted 355-ship fleet by putting into practice something already done with aircraft carriers: periodically putting them into drydock for maintenance and upgrades. This would stretch the lifespan and usefulness of existing ships, a cheaper and more cost-effective alternative to simply buying more ships.
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WNU Editor: Maintenance is always key. I am surprised that the US Navy does not take this heart with their fleet (with the exception of the aircraft carriers).
1 comment:
The Regan era was the last of regular dry-dock intervals for the fleet as I remember it. Places like NAS Alameda & Long Beach NSY Long Beach were shuttered after several BRAC reviews. A lot of ship maintenance teams and experience faded with the closure of LBNSY...hell, the Navy was even foolish enough to give up our tugboat operators. Now we pay $$$ we we depart/arrive. It's $$$$$$ if we have to pull in at night or on the weekends...
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