Senior Navy officials are considering a new proposal for a 313-ship fleet, which would require greater investments in shipbuilding accounts and an accelerated pace of ship construction to build the fleet up from its current size, according to sources familiar with the effort. Adm. Robert Willard, vice chief of naval operations, is spearheading a project to craft an "alternative shipbuilding plan" requested this summer by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Mullen. The new Navy chief has stated that he...
