Homeland Security Show | Episode 15

$700 Million Sunk into First-in-Class “Fast” Ship by Navy, but with 640 Flaws, it could Sink at Sea

An incredible story of government incompetence and cover-up Aviation Week’s Pulitzer-nominated investigative journalist Mike Fabey discusses the serious flaws (640 of them), including huge cracks, that have caused Senators Levin (D-MI) and McCain (R-AZ) to seriously question the $700 million (the boat was budgeted for $150 million) already spent on the USS Freedom (coastline combat ships). The ship was designed to be cutting edge for shallow water counterterrorism and humanitarian missions. Yet when Mr. Fabey was able to get onto the boat for his own inspection, what he found makes clear that the ship, still commissioned, has serious problems that he read about in internal Navy documentation. Listen to hear about the ship, the Congressional inquiry, and the moves the Navy is making to attempt to keep Mr. Fabey quiet. There are six stories so far in the series, with the key report here.

Homeland Security Show