SEAPOWER Magazine The Official Publication of the Navy League of the United States VOL. 49, NUMBER 2 February 2006

4 Beyond the Headlines

RICHARD C. BARNARD, Editor in Chief

Advocates of the DD(X) destroyer struck a deal on Capitol Hill that should safeguard its budget, at least for the next year or two, and give its government and industry managers a measure of the political and fiscal stability they need to move the program forward. The cost of $3.3 billion for the first ship attracted glaring headlines and critics by the boatload, causing many to doubt whether the program was viable. The Navy now must meet a cost cap of $2.3 billion on the fifth ship — a tough but attainable goal — and Navy officials hope to pare the cost below $2 billion per ship over the long term.

That is quite a turnaround for a weapon system that only a few weeks ago was receiving last rites from many of the defense cognoscente in Washington. Does this mean the headlines were wrong and the critics were out of touch? Not necessarily. It means that seasoned defense hands, a category that includes most readers of this magazine, should remember to look beyond the headlines and take the longer view on defense issues. Virtually every major weapon system is seen early in its life by press and think-tank pundits as a costly poor performer that may not be needed. Some of those stories and analyses are valid.

But some, ultimately, are not. Other weapons that got the same treatment include the M1A1 tank, DDG-51 destroyer and F/A-18 series of tactical aircraft. Today, all are viewed as good performers well worth the costs. The full story of the DD(X) has yet to unfold. In truth, it will be years before we know whether it will deliver value for money to the Navy and American taxpayers. Weapon investments are high risk and, let’s face it, $3.3 billion is a lot for a destroyer. Meanwhile, much of what is written about this and other major weapons will continue to be part of the radio static in Washington that makes it difficult to separate fact from wishful thinking. Our story about how the DD(X) deal was done begins on page 6.

Also in this issue are two articles about gliders that could provide the sea services with some rarified capabilities. Special Correspondent Otto Kreisher reports (p. 16) the Navy is testing undersea gliders that one day will enable oceanographers to forecast ocean conditions just as weather forecasters predict changes in the atmosphere. Gliders also may help locate quiet diesel submarines in littoral waters. Managing Editor Richard R. Burgess reports (p. 17) that a more speculative effort is under way at the Center for Innovative Ship Design to devise a disposable unmanned aerial glider with inflatable wings to deliver supplies to Marines or Special Operations Forces far inland from a carrier ship at sea.

These stories help explain why we think of Seapower as the defense magazine that covers the future. As always, thanks for reading.

We are eager to get your feedback. Contact me at rbarnard@navyleague.org or by mail at Seapower, 2300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3308.