Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی
Fired for telling the truth
Outgoing Navy Secretary John Phelan confirmed during the Sea-Air-Space symposium in Washington on Tuesday, April 21, that the U.S. Navy is conducting a new review of the cost, design, and long-term value of its future Ford-class aircraft carriers.
Phelan was removed from office the following day, with sources familiar with the situation citing his poor relationship with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the reason behind the decision.
Ford-class carriers are among the most expensive warships ever built – so there’s a lot to review. The lead ship, USS Gerald R. Ford, cost roughly $13 billion to manufacture. That level of spending is significant, not just because of its enormity but because a nuclear aircraft carrier can consume a major portion of annual shipbuilding funds and capacity.
The two ships now under scrutiny are CVN-82 and CVN-83, which were named in January 2025 as the future USS William J. Clinton and USS George W. Bush. Neither vessel has been fully contracted, giving the Navy room to alter designs, delay procurement.
Outgoing Navy Secretary John Phelan confirmed during the Sea-Air-Space symposium in Washington on Tuesday, April 21, that the U.S. Navy is conducting a new review of the cost, design, and long-term value of its future Ford-class aircraft carriers.
Phelan was removed from office the following day, with sources familiar with the situation citing his poor relationship with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the reason behind the decision.
Ford-class carriers are among the most expensive warships ever built – so there’s a lot to review. The lead ship, USS Gerald R. Ford, cost roughly $13 billion to manufacture. That level of spending is significant, not just because of its enormity but because a nuclear aircraft carrier can consume a major portion of annual shipbuilding funds and capacity.
The two ships now under scrutiny are CVN-82 and CVN-83, which were named in January 2025 as the future USS William J. Clinton and USS George W. Bush. Neither vessel has been fully contracted, giving the Navy room to alter designs, delay procurement.
