Navy Secretary: U.S. Needs Cheaper Shipbuilding Alternatives

The U.S. needs a cheaper way to build new ships in small quantities, Navy secretary Donald Winter said on April 4. Winter said the Navy needs to provide more stability for shipyards, while industry needs to improve its balance of long-term planning and short-term, Wall Street-oriented concerns. Industry and the Navy both need to accept that the Pentagon will never again buy new ships by the dozen, Winter told a Navy League conference. Instead, shipbuilders need to streamline operations and invest in new technology to build a handful of high-end vessels. Winter acknowledged that industry will have to make tough decisions. Companies need to pay more attention to current events instead of aiming for business as usual, he said. (Source: MarketWatch)