Battle-force shortfall and acquisition risk

The plan gives a battle force of 291 ships against the 355-ship requirement it cites, a gap of 64 hulls. It also describes much higher shipbuilding spending without a corresponding rise in ship numbers since 2003. The review connects that outcome with Zumwalt, the littoral combat ship, and Constellation. Cutting production runs leaves development costs spread across fewer ships, so spending and delivered hull numbers can diverge sharply. Changing requirements and optimistic schedules add further acquisition risk.