Newport News says ordering 3 carriers at once could say taxpayers $1.5 billion

The U.S. Navy wants to buy a new aircraft carrier every three to four years instead of five and Newport News Shipbuilding has responded by saying that it could help shave $1.5 billion off the costs if the service orders three carriers at once.

By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Aidan P. Campbell [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

A spokesperson from the shipyard said such a move will allow the company “to purchase materials in quantity, and to plan and phase work to maximize learning.”

The construction of each carrier could be reduced by up to two years for each ship.