U.S Navy Faces Delays In Its Biggest Shipbuilding Projects: Here’s why

US Navy revealed delays in constructing ships due to skilled labour shortages, design challenges, and supply chain interruptions caused by COVID-19.

A comprehensive assessment was launched to investigate the causes contributing to these shipbuilding issues.

Though the COVID pandemic has ended, shipyard attrition rates have grown, with certain places seeing a doubling of attrition than pre-pandemic levels.

The delays affected ships under construction for the United States Navy.

The first ship in the new Frigate warship class, built at Fincantieri SpA’s Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin, is three years behind schedule.

Similarly, General Dynamics and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Virginia Class block IV submarine project faces a three-year delay.

The Navy estimates that the associated Virginia block V design, which includes extra missile launch tubes, is two years behind schedule.

Current performance studies indicate the Ford Class aircraft carrier, CVN 80, will be delayed by 18-26 months.