By: Ben Werner and John Grady September 6, 2018 6:21 PM ARLINGTON, Va.

A new look at the Navy’s force structure and the upcoming November congressional elections will play key roles in determining whether Navy will reach its current goal of a 355-ship fleet. The planned 2019 force structure assessment (FSA) will evaluate the size and types of ships the Navy will plan for in the future, Vice Adm. William Merz, the deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems (OPNAV N9), said on Wednesday.

The new FSA will seek to answer such questions as to whether the Navy has enough fast-attack submarines planned, enough guided-missile destroyers and what is the role of the planned next-generation frigate (FFG(X)), he said during a panel discussion at the Defense News conference.

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