Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to John H. Dalton, August 15, 1997

JAN. -25’ 98ISUN) 19:11 J МИ“С IB ■ JO OliThiC'. M*"TL»NO JlS C.XNON HOUSE Off.CS BulVOmO WWXIXCTON. DC J0S1S 12021 22S-30S1 COMMITTEES BUDGET BANNING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANT MAJORITY WHIP THE AUMANNS KtK.KUHtKl u. fchKLIUH JK. TEL:410 561 1027 P. 002 202 22S 3024 P.02/03 Congress of tfje Wniteb States House of fiepresentatiUts JHaSbington, ЗЭ£ 20515-2002 August 15, 1997 Suite 2m lUTiUAvlilf.MD 21003 l«10l ЭД7-Т222 A6NOHHM«xSflllET BEv Ain. МОЛОТА iAIOUJ*-2Sl> GuviuxMl NT BlULOING ’•O' TNlil Avlvill* !sO F.UUk fl.i.O*... MO 2>222 .ATOi гвА-игв Ssar*. MO The Honorable John H. Dalton Secretary of the Navy The Pentagon Room 4E686 Washington, D.C. 20350 Dear Secretary Dalton: I was recently informed the Navy may be considering removing the Mark 41 VLS launch system from the LPD-17 class amphibious assault ships and replacing it with an untested system that is still under development. I believe this would be a very shortsighted decision and I strongly urge you to remain committed to the combat proven VLS system. It is my understanding acquisition costs for the VLS system have steadily declined while the VLS capability to support new weapon control systems and different missiles has continued to increase. For example, the cost of a VLS launcher procured in FY93 was less than two-thirds the cost of an FY82 launcher. In addition, the VLS system has a remarkable record of low repair and maintenance expenses. The top fifteen VLS repair costs in FY96 amounted to less than $20,000 per launcher. The purported reason for considering a change in launchers is the belief there is insufficient production capacity to produce VLS systems for both the LPD-17 and the DDG-51 ship classes. I have been informed, however, that the capacity exists to produce sufficient VLS systems for boih ship classes which would, in fact, result in a more efficient production rate. The VLS launch system has been proven in combat and is the most cost-effective, lowest risk solution for the LPD-1 7 ships. I strongly urge you to keep the VLS system a viral part of the LPD-17 class. Please keep me informed as you make these critical decisions. Very truly yours,