SECDEF signals all-in on sea power

WASHINGTON - Secretary of Defense Mark Esper wants a massive expansion of the fleet by 2049 (500 ships) with more submarines, smaller manned/unmanned combatants, and even examining the role of aircraft carriers (and air wings) in the decades ahead to maintain American dominance on the seas. By the mid-2030s, SECDEF wants 355 ships on/under the water. The Navy must prioritize the rapid build-up to 70-80 subs (today @ 51); rethink carrier uses and proposing cutting out up to four while potentially repurposing  the America-class amphibious assault ships (built only at HII-Pascagoula) as light carriers to hold down presence missions. Esper's laid-out plans represents a radically different fleet with more emphasis on team-work between manned/unmanned platforms, and transforming the carrier air wing to focus more on unmanned aircraft. SECDEF also committed to finding funds throughout DoD to put into shipbuilding. The outline aligns with recent studies calling for a lighter fleet with less carriers and large surface combatants. Esper outlined a fleet that included: 140-240 unmanned and optionally manned surface and subsurface vehicles; 60-70 small surface combatants  up from current requirements of 52); 50-60 amphibs up from 38; and 70-90 combat logistics force ships, an increase from 32. (Source: Defense News 10/06/20) https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/10/06/with-its-fleet-of-2045-the-us-militarys-chief-signals-hes-all-in-on-sea-power/