The Senate Armed Services Committee, of which Senator Collins is a Member, today held a hearing on the Pentagon’s acquisition of major weapons systems. During the hearing, Senator Collins questioned John Young, Jr. who is the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics at the Department of Defense, about his view of the House Defense Authorization legislation, which essentially eliminates funding for the third DDG-1000. Secretary Young told Senator Collins and other committee members that he was “extremely concerned” about the House’s proposal for the program and the effect it would have on the overall cost of building ships for the Navy.
At issue is the House’s version of the 2009 Defense authorization bill that includes a provision that would essentially eliminate funding for construction of the third DDG-1000 Zumwalt class destroyer. In addition, leaders of the House Armed Services Committee have suggested that the Navy instead reinvest in additional DDG-51’s, even though many of the components on this older destroyer are no longer manufactured.
In contrast, the Senate version of the same bill includes a provision backed by Senator Collins that fully authorizes funding for the third DDG-1000 and would benefit BIW, while also helping the Navy reach its long-term force structure goals. The third DDG-1000 was requested by the Navy and would be built at Bath Iron Works.
Secretary Young explained that the cost of building the first two DDG-1000’s would increase significantly if the House’s proposal to end the program prevails. He also pointed out that the Navy has not sought more DDG-51’s and the cost of building this discontinued line would be very high.
Senator Collins has vowed to work to ensure that the Senate version of the bill prevails when House-Senate negotiators meet to work out a compromise on the legislation.