Close the Gap

摘要

For several years, the U.S. Navy's goal for the fleet was a minimum of 313 ships — a number as insufficient to meet operational needs as it was unattainable due to federal funding constraints. Documents that constitute the Navy's 2012 shipbuilding plan imply that the service now is aiming for a fleet of 328 battle force ships, according to an analysis of that plan released in June by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). "Under the 2012 plan, the Navy would buy a total of 275 ships over the 2012-2041 period: 205 combat ships and 70 logistics and support ships, including 5 for the Army. Given the rate at which the Navy plans to retire ships from the fleet, that construction plan is insufficient to achieve a 328-ship fleet," the analysis says.