US Navy applies lessons from costly shipbuilding mistakes

[dalton99a]

https://apnews.com/article/politics-military-technology-us-navy-san-diego-business-7798de1cdb622f7771dd6bfd23c02124

US Navy applies lessons from costly shipbuilding mistakes
By DAVID SHARP

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Military officials say they’re slowing down the design and purchase of its next-generation destroyers to ensure new technology like powerful lasers and hypersonic missiles are mature before pressing ahead on construction.

The Navy wants to turn the page on recent shipbuilding blunders.

Several newer combat ships designed for speed are being retired early after being beset by problems. A $13.3 billion aircraft carrier experienced added costs from new catapults that launch airplanes. Workers completed construction of a stealth destroyer before its advanced gun system, already installed, was scrapped.

A series of speedy, coast-hugging warships embodied shipbuilding mistakes that the Navy is trying to avoid. Critics said early versions were too lightly armored to survive combat. One version of the craft, known as a littoral combat ship, had propulsion problems. Some of the ships broke down and had to be towed. Plans for a submarine detection system were scrapped.

...

[EYESORE 9001]

1. Putting the horse before the cart

What a concept!

I guess shipbuilding lobbyists have lots of clout.

[Ray Bruns]

2. As an electrical engineer who has worked in the shipbuilding industry for many years, there is

nothing harder than incorporating a new technology into a new platform. There are so many unknowns that it’s very difficult to predict them all. All you can do is learn from the mistakes made and hold the contractor accountable for delivering the system according to the contract. The USS Ford (CVN 78) implemented a new aircraft catapult system. So until you actually put an F-18 on the flight deck and launch the plane, you really won’t know how the system will perform.

[Chainfire]

3. That is one expensive lemon.