New Navy Plan Would Extend Lives Of Command Ships

A new Navy shipbuilding plan proposes extending the lives of its command ships, meaning they could serve for over 70 years, the Navy Times reports.

The Japan-based Blue Ridge, flagship of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, and the Mount Whitney, flagship of the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, have been in service for over 40 years.

A recent update to the Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan, which was sent to Congress in mid-May, now calls for the ships to retire in 2039.

Previous plans...