What Happened
Lawmakers Demand Clarity Before Signing Off On Construction Contract
The House Armed Services Committee is pushing the Navy to provide more details about the design of the Trump-class battleship before signing off on a construction contract. The committee’s draft legislation includes a provision that would prohibit the Navy from inking a contract until the Secretary of the Navy proves that the planned weapons systems are at a sufficiently mature technology readiness level. The Navy plans to purchase 15 battleships in the next 30 years, with the first vessel expected for delivery in 2036. Lawmakers have questioned the value of the battleship due to its projected cost, with the Navy requesting approximately $1 billion in advance procurement and $837 million in research and development funds for fiscal year 2027. This development was first reported by Breaking Defense.