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Road to 350: What Does the US Navy Do Anyway?
- Thread starter Randy Daytona
- Start date
Solid point. Our sealift capacity is seriously hurting, thanks to decades of institutional neglect when it comes to the Merchant Marine.
GroundPounder
Well-Known Member
US flag ships are generally dry, so there's no rum, at least not officially. As to the other, I can't claim any personal expertise there- best of luck.
Meant to get back to this sooner, but as you said, the idea was for dedicated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, ie, the ship would be used year round with an emphasis on hurricanes during that time of the year. Figured either State or DOT might have a better chance of funding, anything going through the Pentagon would have a low priority. Perhaps using something like the National Security Multi- Mission Vessels like Empire State VII that DOT is currently building might be better than an older LSD - although the ships only have a single helo pad, they do have roll on / roll off capability.
Empire State VII - Wikipedia
Also found this feature from USNI when in 1929 the carrier USS Lexington went pierside and supplied power to the city of Tacoma for a month (no hot rocks required)
USS Lexington (CV-2) supplying power to Tacoma, January 1930
Thanks for sharing. Looks like a unique situation that the ship lent itself well to solving.Meant to get back to this sooner, but as you said, the idea was for dedicated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, ie, the ship would be used year round with an emphasis on hurricanes during that time of the year. Figured either State or DOT might have a better chance of funding, anything going through the Pentagon would have a low priority. Perhaps using something like the National Security Multi- Mission Vessels like Empire State VII that DOT is currently building might be better than an older LSD - although the ships only have a single helo pad, they do have roll on / roll off capability.
Empire State VII - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Also found this feature from USNI when in 1929 the carrier USS Lexington went pierside and supplied power to the city of Tacoma for a month (no hot rocks required)
View attachment 43917
USS Lexington (CV-2) supplying power to Tacoma, January 1930
Back to shipbuilding, a good article this morning.
www.realcleardefense.com
The Dire State of Our Shipbuilding Infrastructure
Background In 2018 Congress mandated 355 combat force ships for the Navy. According to the United States Naval Institute as of October 2025, we now have 287, a deficit of 68 or 20% fewer ships than re
Interesting. I can say that the sub yard at Portsmouth (Kittery) is receiving construction funds by the truck load. With the exception of certain historic buildings, the entire yard is getting an overhaul including a $1.7 billion dry dock expansion.Back to shipbuilding, a good article this morning.
The Dire State of Our Shipbuilding Infrastructure
Background In 2018 Congress mandated 355 combat force ships for the Navy. According to the United States Naval Institute as of October 2025, we now have 287, a deficit of 68 or 20% fewer ships than re
I feel like they need to adopt a "Schedule as an Independent Variable" approach and let that be the constraint that drives designs until we get numbers down range up reasonably. That means schedule over capability. Develop kits that can convert commercial craft to a minimal capability, for example. Develop bespoke designs that can be manufactured at non-traditional ship and boat yards fast. Quantity now then quality (and hopefully still quantity) later.
Back to shipbuilding, a good article this morning.
The Dire State of Our Shipbuilding Infrastructure
Background In 2018 Congress mandated 355 combat force ships for the Navy. According to the United States Naval Institute as of October 2025, we now have 287, a deficit of 68 or 20% fewer ships than re
The article mentions the large overhaul/upgrade of the shipyards and I presume that is part of it, but I also question the credibility of some of the assertions given the partisan nature of the author. Reminds me a bit of Hendrix.