modernization of navy costly as ships are delayedby John Stevenson Norfolk — When the destroyer SPRUANCE suffered damage in a March drydock accident at Pascagoula, Miss.; the incident stood out like a neon buoy in troubled waters. It is trouble of an expensive nature; as much as $2.14 billion worth. The SPRUANCE, named for Adm. Raymond A Spruance, commander of the 5th Fleet during the battle of Midway, is under construction in the Pascagoula Shipyard operated by Litton industries. Less than a decade old, the shipyard has been billed as a facility of the future, the whiz kid of ship production plants. It is equipped for innumerable advanced techniques, including modular assembly of large-ship, components, Litton literature boasts. The plant has a starring role in frantic Navy efforts toward modernization, efforts spurred by a Pentagon desire not to fall behind the Soviet Union. Litton has a $2.14 billion contract for 30 destroyers like the SPRUANCE and another contract in excess of $1 billion for five new style amphibious assault ships. The vessels are described in terms that make them sound like marvels of the sea. Many of them will be based in Norfolk. The SPRUANCE, in fact, was due here last October [74]. Litton now says that it will be ready for the Navy about July 16. Therein lies the first sign of trouble: chronic scheduling delays. The problem is not unique to Litton. Newport News Shipbuilding was several years late delivering the aircraft carrier Nimitz. |