Pentagon to Cut Many Major Procurement Programs

The New York Times reported that the Department of Defense will retire an unnamed aircraft carrier and buy fewer surface ships in an effort to save money. LPD-17 amphibious landing ships for the Marine Corps will be among those cut from expected procurements, setting back Northrup Grumman’s plans to build five of them in as many years. Altogether the Pentagon hopes to save $60 billion over six years. The cuts include an expensive new Army communications system, a new destroyer (again, primarily from Northrup Grumman) for the navy and the previously reported tamping down of purchases of the F/A-22 stealth fighter. – Reuters: Pentagon to Retire Carrier, Buy Fewer Ships – Report