The Senate Armed Services Committee's version of the defense policy bill would support procurement of 10 ships including a new amphibious transport dock and establish an official nuclear sea-launched cruise missile (SLCM-N) program of record. The bill, approved by Senate authorizers Thursday in a closed session by a 24-1 vote, would save three aging amphibious warships and one cruiser from early retirement, and allow the Navy to enter into multiyear procurement contracts to buy 10 block VI Virginia-class submarines. On...
