Navy Shouldn't Build Next-Gen Destroyers Until Tech is Proven, Navy Secretary Signals
More testing needed on new tech “so that we don't get ahead of ourselves,” says Del Toro, citing mistakes made building the futuristic Zumwalt-class.
By Caitlin M. Kenney
Staff Reporter
January 19, 2022
The Navy should consider buying Arleigh Burke-class destroyers until the technology it wants to install in its next-generation destroyers is ready for prime time, Secretary Carlos Del Toro said.
“Perhaps a better strategy might be to build a few more DDG Flight IIIs to ensure that we have the capacity necessary to deter China and do the other things that we need to do until such moment in time when” the DDG(X) and other new ships are ready, he said during the U.S. Navy Memorial’s SITREP event Tuesday.
Shipbuilders are eagerly waiting for the Navy to award an Arleigh Burke multi year contract, which they say will ensure the workforce is in place to build the DDG(X).
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2022/01/navy-shouldnt-build-next-gen-destroyers-until-tech-proven-navy-secretary-signals/360930/
