Navy fleet: what's the bottom line?

• Position: Washington PULSE - Brief article

Since he became chief of naval operations last summer, Adm. Michael G. Mullen, has consistently identified as his top priority the rebuilding of the fleet, which has dramatically shrunk by more than half since the end of the Cold War. His goal is to increase the number of Navy ships from 281 to 313 within the next three decades. But in a recent speech in Washington, D.C., Mullen said he was determined to not allow the fleet to go below 281.

By stating his absolute bottom line, Mullen may have given away too much information, especially...