Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Assuring the Future:Navy Awards Destroyer Contracts

Two US shipbuilders are celebrating this week,as the US Navy awarded them a total of 6.1 billion dollars in contracts for the design and construction of nine Arleigh Burke class destroyers,with the option for a tenth pending congressional approval.The multi-year buy extends through 2017.Such deals are conducive to cost savings by allowing the shipyards to operate more efficiently.
Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works will reap 3.3 and 2.8 billion dollars,respectively, for an advanced version of the DDG 51 destroyer,which is really the heart of the surface combatant fleet.These multi-mission ships are equipped for anti-submarine;anti-air;and anti-surface warfare,a Navy spokesman said.
From the second ship on,they will feature the new Air and Missile Defense Radar(AMDR),plus more electrical power and cooling capacity for next generation AMD and joint battlespace awareness.The acquisition helps assure the ability to carry out the Air-Sea Battle Concept and new Pacific-centric national security strategy.
What is more,the Navy plans to add up to 8600 Sailors to its end strength-the only service to increase its ranks.They will be trained for maintenance;cyber;nuclear;electronic attack aircraft;and littoral combat ship specialties.The Navy is growing slowly over time,said Rear Admiral Joe Mulloy,Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget.
Huntington Ingalls Industries(HII),General Dynamics(GD)

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