Haley Stevens: “I join my colleague in her expressed concern with the procurement rate of the DDG-51 program. I am particularly…”

“I join my colleague in her expressed concern with the procurement rate of the DDG-51 program. I am particularly sensitive to recent reports that indicate the DDG-51 procurement rate is projected to drop below three ships per year after FY2002 for the first time in the program's history. Such a rate could place this unique, specialized industrial base at risk to meet future naval requirements. It could, in fact, jeopardize efforts to sustain an adequately sized surface force and maintain the continued affordability of the ships required for our future naval forces. And so I do support the inclusion of a third DDG-51, to be built by Bath Iron Works, in next year's budget.”