How can the United States pick up the slack in shipbuilding?

Right now the U.S. Navy is experiencing delays in their next-generation Constellation-class frigate and their first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine. Several factors could be leading to these delays including labor shortages and government regulations. The Heritage Foundation has several recommendations to help clear the backlog, eliminate delays for the Navy, and help U.S. shipbuilders.

1. Mandatory block buys of warships would provide a stable demand to shipbuilders and allow them to make long-term investments.
2. EPA regulations forcing reductions in carbon emissions are costly, overly burdensome, and should be relaxed or eliminated.
3. Japan, Italy, South Korea, and other allies have domestic capacity and capability for shipbuilding, so Heritage suggests allies should receive blanket approval within International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for non-weapons components and for select top-secret systems. The lighter restrictions could also incentivize allies to invest in the American shipbuilding industry and expand American shipbuilding capacity.
4. Congress should direct 25% to 35% of existing workforce training programs funded by the federal government for vocational training for critical defense tasks such as shipbuilding.
5. The Department of Defense (DOD) should increase the number of qualified naval architects at Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and collaborate early with industry to reduce the likelihood of costly redesigns during construction and help deliver ships on an expedited timeline.

The current delays and backlogs are costing the DOD money at the moment, but a lack of Navy warships and submarines could be even more costly to national security if changes aren’t made soon. Are the recommendations from The Heritage Foundation the right changes to be made? Are lesser government regulations and more dependence on allied resources a risk worth taking to get shipbuilding back on track in the U.S.? Time will tell.