The US Navy’s New $4 Billion Warship Costs $800,000 Per Round to Fire
Wiki Commons
The US Navy’s DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer is a new $4 bilion beast of a vessel, featuring some insane bells and whistles.
In fact, the futuristic warship comes equipped with two guns capable of striking targets from an astounding 80 miles away.
However, while the ship’s two Long Range Land-Attack Projectile (LRLAP) guns manufactured by Lockheed Martin work perfectly well, it seems the Navy wasn’t prepared for just how much rounds for the guns cost.
Astonishingly, rounds for the guns cost over $800,000 each, a result of the Navy cutting its initial order of 28 warships to merely three.
“There is no blame on any individual,” a Navy official told Defense News. “The round was working, [and] the way forward was logical. It’s just that the cost with a three-ship buy became a very high cost.”
At the moment, the Navy has not only suggested potentially cancelling the LRLAP guns, but is also looking for replacements which could come from Raytheon or BAE Systems.
It is worth noting that some rounds have already been purchased and will be utilized during the Combat Systems Ship Qualifications Trials in 2018.
Technology, engineering, and design enthusiast.
Tech Steel & Materials