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Funding measure allows Navy to buy littoral combat ships from two contractors
The Senate is poised to vote on a measure to fund the government that allows the Navy to buy littoral combat ships from more than one contractor.
The language allowing the Navy to buy from more than one contractor is supported by House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.), but Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is on record opposing it.
The draft resolution states: "Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of the Navy may award a contract or contracts for up to 20 littoral combat ships.”
The Navy is considering buying 10 new shore-hugging ships from both Austal USA and a team of Marinette Marine and Lockheed Martin. The Navy’s rationale is that competition has significantly reduced the price of the ships, which are designed to sweep for mines in coastal waters, fight pirates and chase drug smugglers.
The initial plan was to buy only 10 ships from one winning contractor. The Navy cannot move ahead with the new proposal to use two shipbuilders without congressional authorization.
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