Production of destroyer begins with little fanfare

The two shipyards building the Navy's next-generation destroyer held private ceremonies this week signaling the start of construction, but the future remains cloudy for the stealthy warship that doubled in price long before shipbuilders began bending steel.

Funding has been allocated for the DDG-1000 Zumwalt that's being built at General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works in Maine and for a second ship at Northrop Grumman's shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss.

But funding for a third ship is still in question, and the future is also uncertain for the Navy's long-term plans for future destroyer purchases vital to keeping the two Navy shipbuilders busy.

Read more