Posted on 03/16/2012 7:09:51 PM PDT by U-238
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus confirmed Thursday that the cost overrun for the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is projected to reach $1 billion, bringing the ship’s total cost to some $12 billion — but said it’s on track to be delivered on schedule.
The admission took place under questioning from Arizona Sen. John McCain, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, who pointedly asked Mabus “what have you been doing on your watch” to control the costs on the new ship.
Mabus said the Navy’s deal with shipbuilder Huntington-Ingalls Industries is such that the government has “recovered its fee” for the project, and remainder of the money for the ship will only go to cover its costs. He also said the Navy expected to use the lessons learned on the first-in-class Ford to make sure the next ship, the USS John F. Kennedy, would not have the same types of cost problems.
Would the Navy need to ask Congress for permission to go above the cost cap on the ship? McCain asked. Not this year, Mabus said — but next year, the service will probably have to get special authorization to pay to continue building.
Navy officials had said before that their worst-case scenario for the Ford was a $1.1 billion cost overrun, and that’s what they had planned for internally. But they said they thought the previous public number, $800 million, was probably as bad as it would get, leaving some headroom in their plans for the medium term.
(Excerpt) Read more at dodbuzz.com ...
What a surprise.
I am willing to bet its the EMALS that is causing the cost overrun
“I am willing to bet its the EMALS that is causing the cost overrun”
What is that?
It’s the new electromagnetic aircraft launch catapult that is supposed to replace older steam catapult systems.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_Aircraft_Launch_System
Thanks for explaining.
John McCain questioning a Billion dollar over-run is like a worm lecturing an Angel.
I can’t see why. It’s not new technology. It is only linear motors.
My guess is a lot of the overruns are because of the falling value of the dollar and increase in metals pricing. How much has steel gone up since the original bid for the ship?
OMG, this is absurd. Gerald Ford was certainly an affable man but NOT one, IMO, worthy of having a CVN named after him!!
Ford serveed on a carrier during WW II - USS MONTERREY
(CVL 26). During the famous Typhoon Cobra Ford was
leading a fire fighting party on the hanger deck to extinguish fires caused by wrecked aircraft. Was almost
swept over the side
Ford had a long and distinguished career, servering on
Warren Commision, as VP then President after Nixon resigned
Always wondering about some of the venom directed against him by many members here
A ship named after Ford. The panderer who tried to eat a tamale in San Antonio without removing the corn husk. That’s just sad. I hope this ship does it’s job better than Gerald “Whip Inflation Now” Ford did his.
Thankfully, I won’t live long enough to see one named after obama. At least I don’t think so.
It’s also better because steam (water vapor) is the primary greenhouse gas.
Hehehe, just kidding. That’s stupid.
On Post number 13 is a brief description on how Navy ships are named.
The prototype wasnt built until 2010 by General Atomics.
the system’s gotta work every time without fail, so it stands to reason the Navy would make sure it right.
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