At $800K a pop, new Navy destroyer's ammo is in question
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The new gun system on the Navy's most advanced destroyer is firing blanks until the Navy can find cost-effective projectiles.
The Navy wants to lower costs or come up with alternatives to the guided munitions designed by Lockheed Martin for the USS Zumwalt's 155-mm Advanced Gun System.
The GPS-guided, rocket-powered projectiles with a range of 70 miles are supposed to be cheaper than missiles but currently cost $800,000 apiece. That compares with $1 million for a cruise missile, which has a range of 1,000 miles.
Defense analyst Loren Thompson from the Lexington Institute said Congress is going to want answers about why the cost is just coming to light. The Zumwalt was commissioned into service last month and is en route to its homeport in San Diego.