1、 TESTIMONY STATEMENT BEFORE THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE ON FUTURE FLEET ARCHITECTURE STUDIES March 8,2017 Statement by Bryan Clark Senior Fellow,Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments Chairman Wittman,Ranking Member Courtney,and distinguished members of the committee:thank you for inv
2、iting me to testify today on the architecture and operations of the future fleet.This subject is both important and timely.The U.S.Navy is at a crossroads,with each major ship type undergoing a transition over the next several years.After delays in construction and testing,the first Ford-class aircr
3、aft carrier and Zumwalt-class destroyer are finally joining the fleet.Programs for the Virginia-class submarine,Burke-class destroyer,San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock,and Littoral Combat Ship are all beginning new variants.The Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine(SSBN)is in developm
4、ent.And the Navy is fielding a host of new unmanned air,surface,and undersea vehicles and systems.These changes come as the United States faces security challenges it has not encountered since the end of the Cold War.Great power competitors such as China and Russia improved their military capabiliti