The phrase "4,000 Changes. $3.5 Billion. Zero Ships." is the title of a December 2025 New York Times opinion piece. It refers to the U.S. Navy's canceled Constellation-class frigate project, a prime example of massive waste and mismanagement in the military acquisition process.
The specific details associated with this program are:
- 4,000 Changes: The Navy reportedly overhauled 85% of the original design by 2025, resulting in a high volume of unplanned work and contract changes.
- $3.5 Billion: This is the estimated total amount of taxpayer money that was spent on the project before it was ultimately canceled.
- Zero Ships: Despite the significant investment and years of development, not a single ship was produced or delivered to the fleet.
The
article uses this case to highlight broader issues with the U.S.
military-industrial complex and the Navy's struggles to build and
maintain ships within estimated costs and schedules.
- A separate report noted similar issues in a cruiser modernization program, where $1.84 billion was wasted on ships that were divested before deploying.
You can read more about the specifics of the program's failure in the original New York Times Opinion piece.
Rebuilding America's defense industry is “crucial to preventing wars from starting and winning them if they do,” the editorial board argues.
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