House Authorization Bill Switches Oiler With LPD-31, Prevents Carrier Retirement

摘要

A draft House defense authorization bill would approve the Navy procuring 11 new ships as the administration asked, but replacing a fleet oiler with an amphibious transport dock (LPD). The FY 2020 Navy request sought 12 ships, but that included the two carrier buy Congress authorized in FY ’19. The draft House bill maintains the request for three Virginia-class attack submarines; three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers; the first future frigate (FFG(X)); and two TATS towing salvage, and rescue ships (Defense Daily, March 12). However, the draft approves of only one of two John Lewis-class T-AO-205 fleet replenishment oilers requested and adds the second San Antonio-class Flight II landing Platform Dock, LPD- 31. The draft bill is set to go through a markup in the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Seapower subcommittee on Tuesday. In the budget request, the Navy delayed LPD-31 from FY ‘20 to’21 to request a third Virginia submarine. Senior committee staff told reporters on Monday that HASC is giving the Navy incremental funding authority for LPD-31 and authorizing it for FY ’20. The committee then rephased one of the oilers for FY ’21. Last year, “when the Navy tried to accelerate one of those, they had not included any long-lead time material funding in the FY ’19 bill. So that ship actually will execute as an FY ’21 ship anyway, so we just rephased that to FY ’21, but still are going to recommend the long-lead time advanced procurement for the second one,” senior committee staff said.