Ticonderoga Class
Arleigh Burke Class
It seems counterintuitive but keeping old ships commissioned is expensive. Expertise on the hulls ages out and retires, technology moves on and maintenance demands increase and don’t decrease. These life extensions are random and sometimes informed by rational calculations but these are large and cumbersome bureaucracies for which pencil whipping is key. The B52 fleet, the last one rolled off the factory floor in 1962 is destined to be in service until 2060 due to its potential replacements in the B1B, F117 and the B2 bombers are being (or have been) retired well before that time.
Shipbuilding capacity in America and the west has been in the hazard for half a century and nothing will make it better without a herculean effect. Nuclear shipbuilding is in even worse shape.
The US Navy surface fleet is certainly at the bottom tier of first world navies now.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced on October 31 that the Department of the Navy plans to operate 12 Arleigh Burke class (DDG 51) Flight I Destroyers beyond their 35-year expected service life.
The decision, based upon a hull-by-hull evaluation of ship material condition, combat capability, technical feasibility and lifecycle maintenance requirements, will result in an additional 48 ship-years of cumulative ship service life in the 2028 to 2035 time-frame. The Navy has proposed DDG service life extension funding in the FY26 budget request, and will update the shipbuilding plan accordingly.
…
The Department of the Navy plans to operate three Ticonderoga-class (CG 47) cruisers beyond their expected service life: USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS Chosin (CG 65), and USS Cape St. George (CG 71). This decision adds 10 years of cumulative ship service life from fiscal year 2026 to 2029
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/3952231/secnav-announces-service-life-extensions-for-12-destroyers-to-keep-more-ready-p/
***
My esteemed colleague Kim sent me a great video on how poor discipline and training can lead to multi-million dollar accidents and injury:
Email me at cgpodcast@pm.me
