Navy willing to pay more for more maintainable ships – By Megan Eckstein (Defense News) / Aug 4 2021
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Navy is willing to pay more for new ships upfront if it means saving on maintenance and personnel costs throughout the life of the program, the head of amphibious, auxiliary and sealift programs told industry.
Tom Rivers, whose programs fall under the Program Executive Office for Ships, said “design for maintainability and flexibility” is one of the top focus areas for PEO Ships that would influence how the Navy pursues several upcoming new programs, including the light amphibious warship (LAW), the next-generation logistics ship, a new submarine tender, a new ocean surveillance ship and the DDG(X) next-generation destroyer.
“LAW is a good example for the design for maintainability,” he said during a panel discussion at the Navy League’s annual Sea Air Space conference. “Having reliable equipment that does not require a lot of operator action to maintain will enable LAW to handle reduced manning, which, that’s the goal. It may require a larger upfront investment in higher-quality equipment, but we’re willing to do that to offset the sailor cost in the future.”
LAW is envisioned to have a crew of about 40 for the small ship that would haul about 75 Marines around remote areas as they hop from one temporary base to another.
