In the United States recognized the "gluttony" AUG
Less ships, more expenses
Modley served on the fleet in the 1980's, and since then, according to him, the fleet has changed a lot. Now it is about half as much as in those times, but the average cost of one ship is twice as high.
- the officer said.
According to him, this is due to an increase in combat power, which requires more costs for fewer platforms.
- said Modley.
Voracious AUG
According to him, carrier strike groups have always been a great financial burden for the Navy, but today their maintenance is much more expensive. In the 1980's AUG took about 14% of the total fleet operating costs. Now - this is 31%.
Modley explained.
As he believes, it has already been correctly noticed in the Navy that a transition to a new strike force is necessary. Instead of trying to rely on large surface ships such as cruisers and destroyers, you need to rely on small pennants, such as a littoral warship or frigate, as well as Drones. Smaller units are able to carry an increased load, while reducing the "voracity" of the fleet, which is based on AUGs (aircraft carrier strike groups).
That’s why, as Modley said, he advocates investing in LCS and the frigate, “because they are more flexible and more responsive,” and cost a billion dollars or less. At the same time, keeping an 13 billionth aircraft carrier is much more difficult, especially considering the long-term perspective. In this regard, he called the desire to achieve the composition of the fleet in 355 ships based on 12 carrier strike groups, "a very aggressive target."
- concluded Modley.
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