Destroyer extension part of 313-ship plan

To field a fleet of at least 313 ships beyond 2020, the Navy must modernize its destroyers and cruisers, according to the latest version of the service's 30-year shipbuilding plan


Destroyer extension part of 313-ship plan
By Zachary M. Peterson - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 11, 2008 6:48:59 EST

The Navy will add five years to the planned 35-year service lives of its workhorse Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, according to the latest version of the service’s 30-year shipbuilding plan.

The plan was issued Feb. 4 in conjunction with the Navy’s budget request for fiscal 2009.

To field a fleet of at least 313 ships beyond 2020, the service must modernize its destroyers and cruisers, the plan said.

Between 2021 and 2038, 165 ships will reach the end of their expected service lives — twice as many as will be retired between 2009 and 2020, the report said.

“The Navy must manage meticulously the service lives and modernization of legacy ships during this period to prevent block obsolescence from causing unacceptable gaps in capability and capacity,” the document says.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/02/navy_DDGlife_080211w/