Pirate Catcher Costs $709 Million

The USS Independence cost $709 million instead of the $220 million “projected” by the contract-winner, General Dynamics. Some would say that its management’s members are the real pirates, having quietly fleeced the U.S. government of $489 million, much more than the $70 million in Somalia pirate ransoms paid the last couple of years. Clearly Somalia’s pirates are pikers and could learn a thing or two from the suits at General Dynamics.

USS Independence commissioned in Sept., 2009, after cost over-runs of 322%, re-confirming the old saying, “Close enough for government work.”

The USS Independence is LSC-2, the second such ship designed for close to shore action and which is ideally-suited for anti-pirate work. The first such vessel was commissioned by the U.S., the USS Freedom, LSC-1, was commissioned in 2008 and is tied up safely in San Diego, California. Pirates are expected there at any time. There are some pictures of the $709 million USS Independence--