Navy to scrap high-tech stealth destroyer after 2 ships, Maine senator says

The Navy has decided to scrap its newest destroyer model after the first two are built in shipyards in Maine and Mississippi, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Tuesday. Collins, a Maine Republican, said Navy Secretary Donald Winter called her to tell her the outcome of a meeting of top brass regarding the future of the DDG-1000 Zumwalt destroyer. Critics say the Zumwalt is too expensive for the Navy to achieve its goal of a 313-ship fleet. The Navy has been debating whether to build more of the current, and less expensive, Arleigh Burke destroyers. A spokesperson for the Pentagon said it would have no immediate comment on its plans. The Zumwalt was conceived as a stealth warship with massive firepower to pave the way for Marines to make their way ashore. It features advanced technology, composite materials, an unconventional... [read full story]