Abby Shepherd

Senate authorizers have elected to cut $1 billion in advanced procurement funding for the Navy's new battleship program, according to an executive summary of their draft defense policy bill. “There was $1 billion in advanced procurement, and we believe that was ‘early to need’ for that program, so that was taken out in the tables, but there was nothing specific to the battleship in terms of legislation,” a congressional official told reporters Thursday.

The Navy is seeking information on sources capable of delivering the Future Attack Strike (FASt) capability -- which aims to boost long-range fires and support the ground force -- according to a notice posted this week.

To improve ship maintenance and sustainment, the House Armed Services Committee passed two amendments with its draft defense policy bill last night that would address pay and personnel policies and contracting reform at shipyards. Committee Vice Chair Rep. Rob Wittman’s (R-VA) first amendment -- focused on shipyards and maintenance facilities -- would enact a “demonstration project” for pay and personnel policies.