30-year shipbuilding plan released

The Navy's new 30-year fleet plan calls for a ramp up construction of the Littoral Combat Ship and the Joint High Speed Vessel. A total of 66 LCS ships is now forecast to be bought over 30 years. The plan also affirms two earlier decisions: selecting a single design for the LCS program and the 2008 decision to end the DDG 1000 destroyer program at three ships. The plan also confirms the continued development of a new Advanced Missile Defense Radar for DDG 51-class destroyers, and plans to maintain an amphibious landing force of about 33 ships. The new plan was sent to the Hill this week to accompany the president's budget proposal. (Source: Defense News, 02/04/10) Gulf Coast note: The region’s shipyards are involved in building the LCS, JHSV, DDG-51 and amphibious vessels.