CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WVEC) -- The Navy could soon move to buying and building two aircraft carriers simultaneously.
It's one major highlight of the new defense bill making its way through Congress this week.
The Senate Armed Services Committee version of the National Defense Authorization Act requires Navy leadership to work with Congress to evaluate the inclusion of a "block buy" of aircraft carriers.
If the Navy does eventually pursue a two-at-a-time purchasing strategy for its next two aircraft carriers, CVN 80 and 81, the service anticipates it will save between $1 billion and $2.5 billion.
Such a move would be a good thing for many stakeholders, according to retired rear admiral Craig Quigley.
"A block buy of two carriers at once is good for so many reasons," he said. "The American taxpayers will save money, The Navy gets a very efficient shipbuilding process, the builder is able to order components at a very competitive rate because those suppliers know they're doing two of them instead of one. And it's good for the workforces as well. So there is nothing but goodness about ordering two carriers at a time. Ask any of the shipyards around here and what they crave more than anything else is stability."
The bill includes $12.3 billion for Virginia shipbuilding priorities, including $7 billion for the Virginia-class submarine, $3 billion for the replacement of the Ohio-class submarine, $1.6 billion for the Ford-class aircraft carrier and $449 million for carrier refueling and overhaul.
The bill also rejects DoD proposals for a new Base Realignment and Closure round, and it gives the troops a 2.6 percent pay raise.
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine praised the Act, saying in a statement that it "advances our security, supports our defense community, and provides our troops with the resources they need to keep our country safe."
House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Chairman Rob Witttman said, "I believe this NDAA takes important steps towards restoring our military readiness and giving our Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force the tools and resources they need to deter our adversaries, support our allies, and respond to threats around the globe."