Congress Fights Back Against Costly Delay To Virginia Submarine Program -- Aol Defense
The cost of building Virginia-class attack submarines could grow by up to $600 million if Congress signs off on the Navy's proposal to slip a Virginia from 2014 to 2018. Under heavy pressure to cut budgets, the Navy wants to reduce sub-building expenses in the short term, even at the price of increasing the program's overall cost. But two powerful legislators, longtime sub-booster Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut (formerly a Democrat but now an independent) and House Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon (R.-Calif.), are rallying opposition to the delay.
The U.S. Navy, submarine builders, and their allies on Capitol Hill spent years trying to drive down the cost of the world-beating Virginias. The effort included design changes, industrial initiatives, and focused politicking. The goal: to ensure the Navy could afford to buy two Virginias a year for a bit over $4 billion (in 2005 dollars), starting in Fiscal Year 2012.
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My Comment: The US Navy is not alone. Another program that will .... oooppss .... correction .... is facing the same budgetary and purchase delays is this Air Force procurement.