Click HERE to watch Senator Collins’ Q&A at the Appropriations Subcommittee hearing
Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for high-quality video of Senator Collins’ Q&A at the Appropriations Subcommittee hearing
Washington, D.C. – At a Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins questioned Admiral John Richardson, the Chief of Naval Operations and a graduate of York High School, about his proposed replacement of the Navy’s aging cruisers with next generation surface combatants. The hearing was held to review the Navy and Marine Corps’ $194.1 billion budget request for fiscal year 2019, which includes funding to procure three DDG-51 destroyers.
Senator Collins asked Admiral Richardson how the unique capabilities of the Zumwalt-class destroyer, such as its excess power generation, will influence the Navy’s vision for the next class of large surface combatant ships. All three DDG-1000s commissioned by the Navy have been built at Bath Iron Works (BIW).
“You have hit exactly on a centerpiece of the strategy going forward, which is to garner as many of the lessons learned and roll those into the new ship as quickly as possible,” replied Admiral Richardson. “I will tell you that we are learning more lessons from Zumwalt every single day about the capability that ship brings, whether it be power generation, the role of stealth, the volume that the ship brings, [and] the capability of the ship to bring down very sensitive communications…”
Senator Collins also called attention to several disruptions in workload and difficulties in the procurement process as the Navy transitioned from DDG-51s to DDG-1000s, then back to DDG-51s again.
“As the Navy begins planning for this next generation of large surface combatants, how can the Navy ensure a smooth transition?” asked Senator Collins.
“If there is one word I think that describes the major takeaway, it’s ‘stability,’” Admiral Richardson responded. “We would ask and hope for stability in terms of funding and a return to normal order… On my part, it’s stability of requirements and stability of design that allows us to put together a program that meets the nation’s needs, that is stable and predictable, and then can be executed in a way that is smooth and sails right through.”
Senator Collins also questioned Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer and emphasized the importance of ensuring the shipyards “have a stable and balanced workload to sustain the industrial base.”
Last September, Senator Collins welcomed Secretary Spencer to Bath Iron Works so that he could see firsthand the excellent work performed by the highly skilled employees at BIW to build and maintain the Navy fleet.
Witnesses at today’s hearing include:
Click HERE to read their testimonies.