US Navy’s Newest Ship Breaks Down 20 Days After Commissioning


According to reports, the initial indications point to metal fillings in the lube oil filter as the cause of the shutdown. After initially experiencing propulsion problems after leaving Halifax, engineers cleaned out the debris and locked the port shaft as a precaution. This, however, wasn’t enough to keep the ship running.

“Reporting of a complete loss of propulsion on USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) is deeply alarming, particularly given this ship was commissioned just 20 days ago,” Senator John McCain, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement to the Times.

The USS Milwaukee is the third ship of the Freedom class, Lockheed Martin’s contribution for the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship program. The Navy couldn’t choose between this design and the rival contender from General Dynamics, the Independence-class LCS and contracted a dozen of each class. Three of each has been commissioned so far.

While the budget for the USS Milwaukee was said to be “overblown”, yet, we have this embarrassment. The LCS program was designed to produce a multipurpose warship for patrolling littoral zones, waters close to shore.

This news comes after a warning by no less than 105 retired admirals that Obama’s budget cuts are decimating our Navy. Read more about that HERE.

Source: rt.com

 

 



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