The 1978 Carrier Controversy: Why Not the Kennedy?

Authors

Scott C. Truver

Abstract

Epitomized by President Carter's veto of the FY 1979 Defense Authorization Bill and the subsequent failure of the House of Representatives to override that veto, a serious controversy has continued to engulf the Navy, the Department of Defense, Congress, and White House advisors over the future program for carrier-based naval aviation. The veto focused national attention on the disputed need for spending a total of $2.4 billion (in FY 1979 dollars) for a fourth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered carrier that the Navy and Congress believed to be in America's national security interests. However, rather than buy a follow-on Nimitz, President Carter promised to include in his FY 1980 request a $1.6 billion, 62,000-ton, conventionally propelled carrier, the "midi" CVV.

Recommended Citation

Truver, Scott C. (1979) "The 1978 Carrier Controversy: Why Not the Kennedy?," Naval War College Review: Vol. 32: No. 2, Article 7.
Available at: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol32/iss2/7