New President, New Us Navy?

摘要

The USA anticipates great things and many changes under recently inaugurated President Barack Obama, but the new Presidents navy is already facing major changes that reflect the new economic climate.rnPerhaps the most significant is the decision to abandon the Zumwalt (DDG 1000) programme at just three ships. In fact, if the US Navy had had its way it would have been dropped at two ships, but the need to keep yards operating has meant that a third ship has been reluctantly requested. However, this third ship will be part-funded by diverting money from the P-8 Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft programme, which is needed to replace the ageing Orion fleet.rnOstensibly, the reason for abandoning these circa 14,000tonne behemoths is that they would be vulnerable to surface-launched anti-ship missiles and other post-Cold War threats. The attention of the current Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughhead, was apparently drawn to this threat when the Israeli corvette INS Hanit was hit by such a missile off Beirut in 2006.