Sailors Win Temporary Reprieve

or the first time in several years, the Navy's 2001 modernization budget will support procurement of eight new ships a year-funding sufficient to sustain a 300-ship Navy. While that might not seem impressive after the heady days of the 1980s, when the Navy had a 550-plus fleet, it's at least a temporary reprieve for those who feared the fleet would sustain deeper cuts.

Like its sister services, the Navy has maintained a high operating tempo in recent years. The strain of increased operations on a smaller fleet was the story of the past decade. Because the Navy generally operates in international waters, where it doesn't need authorization from other nations, it has been the administration's military and diplomatic tool of choice for much of the past decade.

"We are expeditionary forces with virtually unlimited reach, and we are often able to avoid political issues associated with overseas basing and overflights. Operating over 4,000 aircraft across the globe, our mobility, adaptability, and immense firepower make us an especially potent force," said H. Lee Buchanan, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, to the Senate Armed Services committee in March.

But that role has taken a toll, Buchanan testified. "In the 84-month period ending this past September, naval forces participated in 80 contingencies, from combat to disaster relief. In short, we continue to balance today's readiness with modernization and recapitalization for the future," he said.

Modernization and recapitalization efforts in 2001 span the services' fleet of ships, submarines and aircraft. While research and development efforts will continue on the next generation of carriers, destroyers and submarines, the Navy will also invest in CVN-77, the carrier that will provide transition technology between the Nimitz-class carrier and future carriers; buy three additional Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers; and begin building the third Virginia-class submarine. The Navy's continuing investment in the DD-21 destroyer program illustrates the service's acquisition goals and the operational role the Navy intends to play in the future. It is the first in a family of surface combatant ships designed to operate on the high seas as well as close to shore. It will feature stealth technologies and is expected to be less expensive to maintain, capitalizing on the Navy's "smart ship" innovations.

The ship is to provide offensive, land-attack capability and operate as part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. To ensure effective operations along the shoreline-where the Navy anticipates it will increasingly have to operate-the destroyer will employ both active and passive defense systems. As such, it will be the first Navy ship to have a fully integrated electric power system, including electric drive. The system will cut noise, save space and deliver abundant power. Also in its FY2001 budget request, the Navy would spend $8 billion on 128 new aircraft and other aviation modernization and upgrade programs. The centerpieces of Navy and Marine Corps aviation will be the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet tactical aircraft and the V-22 Osprey tactical transport, respectively. The Navy intends to buy 42 of the F/A-18E/F fighters in 2001, a year after beginning full-rate production. Besides improved survivability over the earlier C/D model, the E/F versions have larger weapons payload, increased range and greater carrier recovery payload. The Marine Corps is to begin full-rate production of the V-22 in 2001, after completion of the program's operational evaluation.