The Secretary of the Navy today informed members of the Senate and House of its plans to cancel the DDG-1000 program after completion of the first two ships, one of which is scheduled to be completed at Bath Iron Works. Senator Collins, who is a Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, worked successfully to include in the Senate version of the Defense Authorization bill the $2.6 billion the Navy had requested to build a third DDG-1000, which also was scheduled to be built at Bath Iron Works. The House version of the authorization does not include any funding for the DDG-1000 program or for Bath Iron Works.
Senator Collins released this statement:
“The Navy’s decision to curtail the DDG-1000 program is a blow to Bath Iron Works. It was triggered by the decision of the House Armed Services Committee to eliminate funding for the DDG-1000 program, which prompted a review within the Department of Defense on the future of the new destroyer program. Unfortunately, Maine currently has no member on the House Armed Services Committee to advocate for programs critical to BIW’s workforce.
“The Navy is likely to propose continuing the DDG-51 program but at inadequate production levels. Compared to the DDG-51 program, the DDG-1000 program provides far more work and about three times the amount of money for BIW per ship. Bath’s share of the DDG-1000 it now has under contract is $1.4 billion, while the shipyard’s share of the most recent DDG-51 it now has under construction amounts to only about $500 million.
“I have spoken with Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England who committed to working with me to mitigate the impact on Bath Iron Works’ workforce of the termination of the DDG-1000 program. In addition, I will meet tomorrow with Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead and Navy Secretary Donald Winter to discuss ways to lessen the impact of the decision on BIW.”