NAVAL AIR FORCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 85, 20 January 1928, Page 5

NAVAL AIR FORCE.

UNITED STATES PROGRAMME. FOUR TIMES ANY OTHER. (Per Press Association —Copjlght } NEW YORK, January 18. i United Press message from Washington, says that Congress will be asked to appropriate funds to purchase a minimum of 300 new if the five-year construction programme is adopted. . ~ xt According to advices from-the JNavy Department, this would be more than double the present aircraft strength ot America's battle fleet, In addition, if Congress approves of the programme, the navv personnel will have to> be increased by approximately 30,UW men, or one-third of the present strength. , , . The necessity for the great increase in aeroplanes and men is explained by a high naval official on the basis of recommendations made by Mr Wilbur Ships, planes, and men needed for the programme are: 25 cruisers,, with an additional 10,750 men and 100 planes, 32 submarines and 2528 men, five aircraft carriers with 8000 men and 200 planes, nine destroyer leaders with 2700 men and nine planes. If the additional planes are authorised, the United States will have a naval fighting plane serength four times as great as either Britain, Japan, or France, and Italy. No mention of the planes personnel is yet made. T _, . At the hearing by the Naval Affairs Committee, naval officers estimated the approximate total cost of the additional planes at £1,080,000, basing their figures on an individual cost of £3500. It is said the Navy Department does not contemplate any increase in lighter than air craft.