US applies lessons of costly mistakes to its ships

BATH, Maine (AP) — The U.S. Navy appears to have learned the lessons of the costly mistakes of stuffing its ships with excessive technology and ramping up production as it ushers in the new destroyers that form the backbone of the fleet .

Navy officials said they are delaying the design and procurement of the next-generation destroyers to ensure the powerful lasers and hypersonic missiles are in good working order before continuing with manufacturing.

The navy has learned, “sometimes the hard way, that when we move too fast, we make big mistakes,” said Admiral Michael Gilday, chief of naval operations.

” Let’s be careful. Don’t trust the first thing you see,” Gilday added last week at an event for defense industry leaders in San Diego.

The Navy wants to move on from recent shipbuilding mistakes.

Several combat ships designed to be fast are retired because they have too many flaws. A $13.3 billion aircraft carrier has suffered increased costs due to new aircraft launch catapults. When the manufacture of a new stealth destroyer was completed, it was necessary to change all its armament.

For the new ship, the Navy is reducing risk with more ground testing and by removing radars and target-finding systems from destroyers it will soon join the fleet, said Lieutenant Commander Javan Rasnake, port -word of the Under-Secretary of State for the Navy. responsible for research, development and acquisition.

He also works with shipyards and designers to refine plans, cost estimates, and personnel and supply forecasts.

Either way, the Navy plans to include advanced technology in the destroyer.

Last week, he awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.2 billion contract for hypersonic missiles, capable of reaching five times the speed of sound and that can be fired from destroyers.