Navy's Shipbuilding Costs Criticized

Some members of Congress are questioning the U.S. Navy's plan to expand its fleet to 313 ships, citing budget concerns and cost overruns, UPI reported. While the Navy has projected spending $13.5 billion a year to build 30 new ships -- including the DDX destroyer -- the Congressional Budget Office says the annual tab will be closer to $18 billion. The federal budget already is strained because of money spent in Afghanistan and Iraq and a onetime $2.7 billion charge for shipbuilding damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Those issues, combined with consistent Navy cost overruns, have angered some members of Congress. (Source: UPI)