Destroyer plans pass Senate committee test

PORTLAND – Both of Maine’s U.S. senators said they are pleased with a Senate committee’s approval of development money Tuesday for a new generation of destroyer to be built at Bath Iron Works.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved $563 million for the ship called DD-X, which President Bush said is “crucial to future shipbuilding.”

The destroyer includes innovations that include smaller crews, a stealthier hull and more accurate guns that shoot 100 miles inland.

The Navy and Marine Corps have strongly supported the ship, but critics in the Pentagon are concerned that the small crew and the stealth design would leave the ship too vulnerable to damage in battle.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine welcomed the Senate action favoring development of the DD-X.

Snowe, a former chairwoman of the Armed Services seapower subcommittee, said the appropriations decision is essential to winning funding for the new destroyer.

“The fact that it’s putting its stamp of approval on the future of a weapons program is absolutely significant,” Snowe said.

Collins, a member of the Armed Services Committee, called the vote “a significant step forward” and said it will allow the program to proceed.