American Shipbuilding Association

Presidential Candidates Turn to National Security

As the presidential campaign swings into high gear, both candidates are turning to the issue of national security and the current status as well as the future of America’s military.  Governor George W. Bush has repeatedly claimed that, “The current administration inherited a military ready for the dangers and challenges facing our nation.  The next president will inherit a military in decline.”  Vice President Albert Gore, Jr. has rebuffed Bush’s criticism claiming, “ Our military is the strongest and best in the entire world.  If you entrust me with the Presidency, I pledge to keep it that way.” Additionally, the Clinton Administration has responded to the GOP charge by claiming that three of the four services – The Army, Air Force, and Marines – are “more ready today than they were when we inherited them” from President George Bush.   What about the U.S. Navy?

Undeniably the U.S. military is the most powerful in the world, but it is also showing strains. No other military in the world needs to be ready to fight and win two separate regional wars while conducting missions in the Balkans and the Persian Gulf, relief operations for any crisis around the world, and exercises with numerous other nations.  Those requirements, plus sizable cuts in the defense budget and troop strength since the end of the Cold War, have left gaps and are placing stress on America’s military.

Neither candidate has thus far been willing to provide specifics on their strategies for America’s future security, and the size of the force or the cost necessary to meet that strategy.  Neither candidate has addressed the drastic decline of the Navy’s fleet or the naval shipbuilding deficit that will drive the fleet to a 200-ship Navy if immediate corrective action is not taken.

In his position papers, Vice President Gore defines his vision for the U.S. military as “Forward Engagement,” and calls for “addressing problems early, before they become crises; addressing them as close to their source as possible, and with the necessary forces and resources.” Gore plans to use the upcoming Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) as his opportunity to set priorities that enable the military to meet his “Forward Engagement” policy, and to ensure that the military is fully ready for the 21st century peacekeeping and humanitarian missions that are certain to arise.

To empower the Defense Department, as president, Gore promises to ensure that procurement budgets do not “skip a generation” leaving the services with obsolete technology.  Specifically, Gore cites the $60 billion the current administration budgeted for fiscal year 2001 and would continue planned procurement increases toward $70 billion over the next five years.  Recognizing that technology is one of America’s strategic advantages, Gore supports Research and Development investment “in the basic research and technology applications that will retain that lead into the future.” Additionally, Gore promises to create “strong incentives” for the defense industry to draw on commercial technology and capabilities for the defense market, and supports the continued consolidation within the defense industry.  Gore also supports the current Administration’s 3.7 percent across-the-board pay raise, and continued development of technology for a national missile defense system to protect against ballistic missile attacks from rogue states.

Governor Bush’s position papers point out that the military has undertaken an average of one new deployment every nine weeks under the Clinton-Gore Administration, and as president, Bush would immediately review overseas deployments to preserve resources for important interests and replace “uncertain missions” in places such as Kosovo and Bosnia with “well-defined objectives.”  Bush also plans to use the QDR to create the military of the future, one he envisions as “lethal, agile, and easier to deploy, and would require a minimum of logistical support.”

To enable his future vision of the Defense Department, Bush proposes to use the present window of relative peace to “skip a generation” of weapon systems procurement.  While the Governor acknowledges that some existing systems may need to be modernized (he does not specify which ones), he proposes to earmark at least 20 percent of the defense budget to programs that propel America’s military technology into the next generation of systems, and will charge the Secretary of Defense, not the individual services, with setting the priorities.  The transformation that Bush proposes provides for increases in Research and Development of at least $20 billion over the next five years.  Additionally, Bush has priorities to increase military pay by $1 billion dollars – an average increase of approximately $750 per active duty service member – over and above the pay increase recently passed by Congress, and accelerate research and deployment of both a national and theater missile defense system as soon as possible.

The American people deserve to know the specific strategies and proposals these candidates will undertake to ensure America’s national security.  Will America of the 21st century remain engaged around the world to influence political and economic stability, and continue to exert power over her own sovereignty and destiny or will she retreat and play a much smaller role in world affairs?  What will be the near and long-term implications of these divergent security strategies on the lives of all Americans?  What is the price of pursuing either security strategy? These are the choices involved in selecting our next commander-in-Chief.

Sea Power Ambassadors 2000 - Update

The Sea Power Ambassadors Program – a nationwide volunteer effort to increase public awareness of Sea Power and to educate citizens, media, and elected officials about the importance of reversing a decade of decline in our naval fleet– continues growing in 2000.  This year 160 speeches have been made or scheduled nationwide to community organizations by former U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officers, Navy League members, and industry leaders with significant experience and knowledge about the importance of Sea Power.   Presentations by Sea Power Ambassadors have generated local newspaper articles and editorials on the decline of the U.S. fleet and the deficit in naval ship procurement that will plunge the fleet to a 200-ship Navy.   Additionally, the program has generated over 65 personal letters and phone calls to elected officials.

Industry News

 Avondale Industries Starts Full Production on LPD-17

 In July, Avondale started full, sustained production of the lead ship in the U.S. Navy’s new San Antonio (LPD-17) class of amphibious assault ships.  The ships will be produced for the lowest possible operating and maintenance cost over their lifetime in the fleet, due to extensive automation, advanced materials and reduced crew size.   “In this program, Avondale and the Navy are achieving unprecedented levels of design completion before starting production,” said Tom Kitchen, President of Avondale Industries. The LPD-17 Amphibious Transport Dock Ships will replace four different classes of amphibious ships.

Office of Naval Research Awards Bath Iron Works, University of Maine $9.2 million Contract for Advanced Technology Project

The Office of Naval Research awarded $9.2 million to Bath Iron Works (BIW) to design and manufacture an advanced propulsion system for a technical demonstration vessel. The project, Advanced Hull Form Inshore Demonstrator (AHFID), directly supports the Navy’s announcement to incorporate electric drive in future naval combatants. BIW will lead a team that includes the University of Maine, Electric Boat of Groton, Connecticut, and Pacific Marine and Supply Company of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Electric Boat Introduces Associates Degree Program for Design Apprentices

Electric Boat and the Marine Draftsman Association – United Auto Workers (MDA-UAW) have reached an agreement with Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) to offer design apprentices an associates degree program in Ship Systems Design Technology.  “This is a win/win/win situation for the company, the union and the employees who participate in the program,” said Bob Nardone, Vice President for Human Resources & Administration. “It results from our strong relationship with the MDA-UAW and will enable us to invest today in the leadership Electric Boat will require in the future.”  The program is being offered to current EB design apprentices who have successfully completed the apprentice curriculum. MMA is reviewing this curriculum and will award academic credit for courses and work assignments. Additionally, MMA will conduct eight courses to fulfill the remaining academic requirements for an AS degree.

Ingalls Announces Management Re-alignment

Ingalls Shipbuilding recently announced a re-alignment of its management structure effective September 1st. Jerry St. Pé, Executive Vice President of Litton Industries and Chief Operating Officer of Litton Ship Systems, said the planned re-alignment of management functions will provide for increased focus on key factors in the Company’s business.

Specifically, Pat Keene who has been President of Ingalls Shipbuilding has been appointed the new Senior Vice President of Litton Ship Systems. Dave Wright, a 32-year Litton employee, and most recently Vice President of Litton Ship Systems with responsibility for Programs’ Management, has been appointed President of Ingalls Shipbuilding.

NASSCO and Local School District Create

“Waterfront Academy”

National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) of San Diego has partnered with Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) to provide an innovated way to educate young people and build a skilled workforce, the Waterfront Academy.  This fall approximately 60 to 75 selected seniors from the SUHSD will begin a combination of academic and multi-skill manufacturing training on site at NASSCO.  The students will receive training and mentoring in electrical, machinery, pipefitting, sheet metal, ship fitting, rigging, welding, and burning. The program also includes applied math, blueprint reading, physical science, communication and computer training.  Students who complete the year long manufacturing and academic courses, as well as a 240 hour paid internship will earn their diploma, ROP certificate and may qualify for an entry level position at NASSCO.

Matthew Mulherin Appointed Director of CVNX Program at

Newport News Shipbuilding

Newport News Shipbuilding announced the appointment of Matthew (Matt) J. Mulherin to director, CVNX Program. In this position, Mulherin is responsible for the company’s design and development efforts for the U.S. Navy’s new generation of aircraft carriers, CVNX.  Mulherin will report to NNS Executive Vice President and COO Tom Schievelbein who said, “Designing a new class of carriers for the Navy is one of the company’s most exciting and challenging opportunities. Matt will lead this important initiative and direct the combined propulsion and ship efforts in a single program focused on providing an innovative and cost effective solution to our customer.”