Ship Shape

House and Senate authorizers are at odds over the fate of the Navy's proposal to save money by placing 11 of the 22 Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers, along with three amphibious ships, in reduced status while they are being modernized, Inside the Navy reports this week:

Last week, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved the Navy's plan to modernize cruisers and amphibious ships while avoiding a permanent loss of force structure and ship years. However, the House Armed Services Committee in its mark of the fiscal year 2015 defense authorization bill agreed to an amendment offered by House Armed Service seapower and projection forces subcommittee Chairman Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) to prohibit the Navy from "laying up" these ships. Forbes' amendment includes language that requires the Navy to begin hull, mechanical and electrical (HM&E) upgrades, as well as combat systems modernizations on two cruisers in FY-15.

The Navy defends its position in a May 6 information paper obtained by Inside the Navy. The subject of the paper is "CG/LSD Phased Modernization Restrictive Language," referring to language in the House authorizers mark.

"This plan provides the means to retain the best Marine expeditionary lift capabilities through the 2030s and Air Defense Commander capabilities in the 2040s, and paces the threat through the installation of the latest technological advances in combat systems and engineering in CGs 63-73 and LSDs 41-42 & 46," the paper reads. "As a result of the modernization investment, the Navy will extend the operational service life of these ships and ensure they remain relevant and reliable until they retire."

To view the paper, click here.