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US Navy backs right to repair after $13B
carrier crew left half-fed by contractor-locked ovens

Original Article

Posted By: sunset, 6/11/2025 10:10:17 PM

US Navy Secretary John Phelan has told the Senate the service needs the right to repair its own gear, and will rethink how it writes contracts to keep control of intellectual property and ensure sailors can fix hardware, especially in a fight. Phelan cited the case of the USS Gerald R. Ford, America's largest and most expensive nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which carried a price tag of $13 billion. The ship was struggling to feed its crew of over 4,500 because six of its eight ovens were out of action, and sailors were barred by contract from fixing them themselves.

Comments:

Further down the article, it mentions USS Gerald Ford deployment was delayed due to contractors taking 4 years to repair the weapons elevators.

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Reply 1 - Posted by: Catherine 6/11/2025 11:48:39 PM (No. 1963083)
I guess they're union, right?
11 people like this.

Reply 2 - Posted by: skacmar 6/11/2025 11:52:37 PM (No. 1963084)
Does this surprise anyone? This is such a government bureaucrat thing to do. It also ensures that the defense contractors (and their lobbyists) keep making money once a ship or weapon system is delivered. They get to keep their hands in the Dept of Defense cookie jar and control over future weapons needs. What a waste of time and money, but it is the Washington way.
24 people like this.

Reply 3 - Posted by: snakeoil 6/12/2025 9:14:52 AM (No. 1963098)
One of my cousins spent 20 years in the Air Force. His final job title was Communications Specialist or something like that. I asked him what that meant and he told me when something stopped working he kicked it until it started working again.
10 people like this.

Reply 4 - Posted by: Venturer 6/12/2025 9:15:57 AM (No. 1963100)
What happens in battle when the contractors are not available. This sound like BS, but if it is true someone need to be overhauled (keelhauled) for allowing it.
12 people like this.

Reply 5 - Posted by: RuckusTom 6/12/2025 9:18:02 AM (No. 1963101)
Is the Navy going to have to start taking civilian contractors on their ships now just for repairs?
6 people like this.

Reply 6 - Posted by: RuckusTom 6/12/2025 9:18:02 AM (No. 1963102)
Is the Navy going to have to start taking civilian contractors on their ships now just for repairs?
0 people like this.

Reply 7 - Posted by: Strike3 6/12/2025 9:18:22 AM (No. 1963104)
Whatever ditz in the Pentagon signed that contract should be gutted with a rusty WW1 bayonet. The military being hamstrung by mafia-era unions is stupid beyond belief.
14 people like this.

Reply 8 - Posted by: Mcscow sailor 6/12/2025 9:20:43 AM (No. 1963106)
The ice cream machines at McDonald’s had the same proscription. These machines were down more frequently than up, because biz owners, employees, and contractors were forbidden to repair the machines, and the machine providers were overwhelmed. The Navy must have the same procurement numbers as McDonalds has. How did the Navy plan to keep this essential equipment operating during a conflict?
12 people like this.

Reply 9 - Posted by: Mcscow sailor 6/12/2025 9:22:00 AM (No. 1963108)
Numbnuts, not numbers
5 people like this.

Reply 10 - Posted by: mc squared 6/12/2025 9:48:13 AM (No. 1963120)
John Deere is doing the same to its big machinery owners. Farmers can't get parts and software repairs without calling a Deere 'authorized dealer' in.
9 people like this.

Reply 11 - Posted by: aasilver 6/12/2025 9:58:16 AM (No. 1963123)
Apple computer does the same thing.
8 people like this.

Reply 12 - Posted by: konocti95 6/12/2025 10:19:38 AM (No. 1963129)
Dr. Frank Poole could not be reached for comment.
0 people like this.

Reply 13 - Posted by: chumley 6/12/2025 11:39:53 AM (No. 1963177)
I feel a little better. I thought only the Air Force was that retarded. They seem to have tons of money and no really urgent things that need done.
2 people like this.

Reply 14 - Posted by: paral04 6/12/2025 11:50:24 AM (No. 1963179)
Who negotiated that contract? They need to be hung out to dry.
3 people like this.

Reply 15 - Posted by: felixcat 6/12/2025 12:05:19 PM (No. 1963192)
You can fire all the federal employees and replace them with contractors, but don't expect any better service or cost reductions. The dirty little secret of federal contracting.
2 people like this.

Reply 16 - Posted by: Sully 6/12/2025 12:26:38 PM (No. 1963197)
What? The military industrial complex has proprietary components on our carriers? What idiot admiral okayed that??
1 person likes this.

Reply 17 - Posted by: MickTurn 6/12/2025 1:05:03 PM (No. 1963215)
Let me help! ALL devices installed on a ship should have all documentation, schematics, spare parts etc. provided per the contract so Navy Personnel can maintain all of it. If the contractor does not, they do NOT get paid. This BS about proprietary stuff and intellectual property is the method Contractors FORCE contracts to maintain all of it. With all the information delivered per the contract, the Navy has the option to train Navy Personnel OR a separate Contractor to maintain all of it. This prevents all this BS Repair where the Contractor is gaming the system to get their Contract changed so they get more money for doing what they are already supposed to be doing. If the Contractor does not have the leverage, they can be FIRED and REPLACED! I used to manage very high dollar contracts for the US Air Force. I noticed this same kind of BS so I put a stop to it by doing what i mentioned above, and IT WORKS!
3 people like this.

Reply 18 - Posted by: judy 6/12/2025 5:56:09 PM (No. 1963343)
Sounds like the military needs a maintenance division instead of hundreds of generals sitting in DC…..
0 people like this.

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