Gates wants just three DDG-1000s

Defense Secretary Robert Gates affirmed Monday the Pentagon’s plan to end production of the DDG-1000 Zumwalt destroyers at three ships, but he wants them built by Bath Iron Works in Maine. He also wants to restart production of the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class at Northrop Grumman' shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. Gates also announced plans to order three littoral combat ships instead of two in the coming fiscal year. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 04/06/09)