After presenting a proposed fiscal year 2020 (FY 2020) budget earlier this year that eliminated a mid-life overhaul for the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) to retire the ship early, the Trump administration has shifted gears, and the US Navy (USN) is ready to make the proper budgetary adjustments.
In releasing the president’s proposed FY 2020 budget plan, USN officials said eliminating Truman ’s previously funded refuelling complex overhaul (RCOH) that was scheduled to occur in FY 2024 would free up the money for greater financial priorities.
The Trump administration now says it will not retire the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) early, as planned. (USN)
Specifically, the service expected to save about USD3.4 billion across the Future Years Defense Program, between FY 2020 and FY 2024, by eliminating the Truman RCOH and another USD2 billion in later years. The USN also would cut another USD1 billion a year, he said – the annual costs associated with operating and maintaining a carrier.
The decision, however, raised objections by several members of the House and the Senate. USN officials familiar with the budgeting process said the plan was like a “gold watch” gambit that services use by dangling some key programme out as a potential funding cut, betting Congress will reinstate the money with a budget increase.
In this case, it appears to be the administration that plans to provide the necessary funding.
Speaking aboard Truman at an event on 30 April, Vice President Mike Pence said, “President Donald Trump asked me to deliver a message to each and every one of you on the deck of the USS Truman
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