Despite weld problems, Navy official is 'confident' in Northrop Grumman

The Navy's top acquisition official said this week he is confident in Northrop Grumman Corp.'s ability to deliver quality ships to the Navy despite widespread problems reported last week on surface ships built at Northrop's Gulf Coast shipyards.

Sean Stackley, the Navy's assistant secretary for research, development and acquisition, called the issues "rare" and said Northrop and the Navy are reviewing waterfront processes and procedures to ensure similar problems don't arise in the future.

His comments came a week after the Navy confirmed that all vessels built at Northrop's shipyards in Avondale, La., and Pascagoula, Miss., over the last several years are under investigation for a host of problems, including improper welds and defective engines and lube-oil systems.

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