The US Navy (USN) has announced its decision to Congress to continue funding a third Zumwalt-class (DDG 1000) destroyer, reversing a decision a month ago that proposed diverting funds from the third ship to revive the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer programme. In a letter dated 18 August to Congressman Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, Secretary of the Navy Donald Winters and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead said: "The navy's plan is to complete construction of the DDG 1000 ships currently under contract and conform to the president's FY09 [Fiscal Year 2009] budget submission by executing the third DDG 1000." The navy requested USD2.55 billion for the third ship in its FY09 budget request submitted in February, but by July USN officials had informed Congress of the service's decision to cut the DDG 1000 programme down from seven ships to just two
[first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 21 August 2008]
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