Carrier numbers, budget issues await Obama

[unhappycamper]

Carrier numbers, budget issues await Obama
By Christopher P. Cavas - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Jan 5, 2009 6:32:07 EST

Affordability remains high on the list of requirement and acquisition challenges in the coming year, the Navy’s top weapon buyer said last month.

And according to one congressional source, 2009 could also see a lively debate on whether the Navy truly needs 11 carriers.

Sean Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, offered several keys to his service’s goal of affordability during a Surface Navy Association luncheon Dec. 11 in Washington.

Design and program stability is key, Stackley declared. “Say no to change,” he said in regard to design changes, and use industrial competition to keep costs down and build efficiency.

Difficulties in estimating system integration costs have become a major factor in cost growth.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/01/defense_navy_obama_010409/%2e



uhc comment: The most recent Nimitz-class carrier priced out at $6.5 billion dollars and the new Ford-class carriers are estimated to cost over $11 billion dollars.