Aircraft Carriers: How Budget Cuts Delay Overhauls And Trim The Fleet

With all the services reining in spending to cope with the current budget crisis, the second and third-order effects of cutbacks will ripple through the force for years.

While the Army "has it worst" by the Pentagon comptroller's own assessment, the most complicated impacts are on the Navy, whose carefully planned maintenance schedule is falling apart.

The fleet has already had to halve its aircraft carrier presence in the Persian Gulf, but delayed and cancelled overhauls will ultimately mean fewer ships in service in the years to come.

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