Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Washington Post
December 17, 2008
Pg. D4
The Navy is likely to buy more combat ships that can easily and swiftly maneuver in shallow waters as the threat of piracy and other dangers grows, according to the Pentagon's acquisition chief, John J. Young Jr.
The service plans to buy 55 littoral combat ships, small surface vessels that can move close to shore, from either Lockheed Martin of Bethesda or General Dynamics of Falls Church. Young said the Navy is likely to buy 64 or more of the vessels, which cost about $550 million each.
"If you had this ship today . . . we would clearly be in the Horn of Africa dealing with the pirate situation," Young said aboard the last leg of the USS Freedom's maiden voyage, from Milwaukee to Norfolk. "This vessel is just right. It has the speed, and it gives you lots of tactical opportunities to deal with those boardings."
December 17, 2008
Pg. D4
The Navy is likely to buy more combat ships that can easily and swiftly maneuver in shallow waters as the threat of piracy and other dangers grows, according to the Pentagon's acquisition chief, John J. Young Jr.
The service plans to buy 55 littoral combat ships, small surface vessels that can move close to shore, from either Lockheed Martin of Bethesda or General Dynamics of Falls Church. Young said the Navy is likely to buy 64 or more of the vessels, which cost about $550 million each.
"If you had this ship today . . . we would clearly be in the Horn of Africa dealing with the pirate situation," Young said aboard the last leg of the USS Freedom's maiden voyage, from Milwaukee to Norfolk. "This vessel is just right. It has the speed, and it gives you lots of tactical opportunities to deal with those boardings."