Carrier, Sub Fleets Under Review

Being budget time this is the silly season for discussions about what the Pentagon may be putting on the chopping block. And, as usual, aircraft carriers are a big blip on that radar.

Another target this year are the proposed SSBN(X) ballistic missile replacement submarines.

There's some reason, though, to believe that this year's chatter is more than just idle talk.

There's every reason to believe that U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is being completely forthright when he says the the Defense Department is seriously considering major changes to both fleet types to make its budget mandates.

Everything, he told defense reporters July 14, is on the table.

The Pentagon is truly under the gun to squeeze out every dollar out its spending plan and the carriers and subs represent some of the biggest-buck items out there.

Moreover there are some viable alternatives being offered -- using large-deck amphibious ships for carrier missions or redesigning Virginia-class subs to accommodate smaller Trident missiles.

Time will tell if this the talk is more serious time around.

Read the full article: Pentagon May Change Carrier, SSBN(X) Plans

Tags: USNavy, carriers, submarines, budget, ar99