Advanced Submarine System Development

Abstract

This Program Element (PE) supports innovative research and development in submarine Hull, Mechanical and Electrical (HM&E) and combat systems technologies and the subsequent evaluation, demonstration, and validation for submarine platforms. It will increase the submarine technology base and provide subsystem design options not currently feasible. The PE also supports programs transitioning from Science and Technology (S&T), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Independent Research & Development (IR&D), and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) projects. DESCRIPTION/JUSTIFICATION BY PROJECT: PROJECT 0223: The Submarine Combat System Improvement (Advanced) (Non-ACAT) project researches, develops, and tests new sonar, combat system, imaging, and electronic warfare software for Program Executive Office, Undersea Warfare Systems (PEO UWS), delivering new capabilities every other year. The project also develops, tests, and prototypes new sonar arrays for PMS 401, the Submarine Acoustics Program Office in PEO UWS. This project supports Navy Submarine Acoustic Superiority and Technology Insertion (TI) initiatives through the application of advanced development and testing of sensors and sensor processing systems supporting tactical control systems improvements. Improvements are supportive of "Advantage at Sea: Prevailing with Integrated All-Domain Naval Power" and the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) "Navigation Plan 2022"; addressing threats posed by strategic adversaries China and Russia. This project targets all force design imperatives rapidly providing unique capabilities to expand distance and generate decision advantage. Project 0223 is comprised of three (3) major efforts: Advanced Processing Builds (APB), Advanced Sensors, and Large Vertical Array (LVA). APB develops, tests and transitions capabilities for: - Acoustics, transitioning to AN/BQQ-10; - Tactical control, transitioning to AN/BYG-1; - Imaging, transitioning to AN/BVY-1; and - Electronic Warfare (EW), transitioning to AN/BLQ-10. Advanced Sensors develops new technologies for hull mounted and towed arrays. Hull mounted array improvements support submarine applications only. Towed array improvements are developed to support submarine, surface, and surveillance applications. LVA leverages demonstrated flank array developments to conduct critical testing and analysis needed to improve array performance and develop sensor employment tactics. It introduces new electronic hardware and software applications to enhance array and signal processing performance. These improvements will be incorporated in future LVA builds for Virginia class SSNs, Ohio and Columbia classes of SSBNs, as well as backfits. The LVA project also sustains the prototype LVA on USS Maryland. PROJECT 2033: Advanced Submarine Systems Development (ASSD) is a non-acquisition program that develops, matures and tests advanced technologies for successful integration into current and future submarine classes, lowers the technical/cost risks of integrating new technologies prior to acquisition, and speeds the delivery of capability and lethality into the Fleet. ASSD transitions Hull, Mechanical, and Electrical (HM&E) technologies, and future naval concepts from the Science & Technology (S&T) and Research and Development (R&D) communities through the development, maturation, and integration of technology projects to operational submarine platforms for assessment, testing, and evaluation. Once projects have proven their maturity and promise through at-sea demonstration, they are formally transitioned into acquisition Programs of Record (PORs). Additionally, ASSD operates and maintains R&D infrastructure assets that are critical to the long-term design, assessment and construction of modern, stealthy submarine platforms. Project 2033 is comprised of three programmatic budget categories: Strategic Capability R&D Infrastructure, Long Range R&D Investment, and Rapid Technology Development. Strategic infrastructure investments maintain and operate critical, one-of-a-kind undersea warfare R&D assets that enable the design and manufacture of the stealthiest submarines in the world, without the requirement to develop and test at full scale, which is inordinately expensive and risky. Long-range R&D investment is the maturation and prototyping at full scale of long-range (5-10 years) technologies, to enable their readiness for incorporation into existing and future submarines. The objective is to achieve high technology readiness (TRL-7) of the targeted technology so that it can be incorporated into the baseline submarine design during the detail design and construction contract award, and evaluated for back-fit into existing platforms. This is class agnostic technology development that supports the VIRGINIA program, the COLUMBIA program, and the Next Generation Attack Submarine (SSN(X)) programs. Rapid Technology Development projects are efforts designed to rapidly mature higher TRL capabilities and field the particular technology project capability within an 18-30 month window, from program start to submarine at- sea demonstration. Also included in this category are innovative technology transition projects, seedling efforts (<$800K/year) which assess new technology candidates and keep the submarine and Undersea Warfare (USW) technology pipeline primed. All SUB073/ASSD projects are determined by senior USW leadership and N97 sponsor direction. The Program works with Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD), Office of Naval Research (ONR), and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) organizations to identify and mature technology candidates for integration into current/future submarine classes to provide new/transformational capabilities, while achieving total-ownership cost reductions. Experimentation and demonstration are also conducted in a joint warfighting context with other services (i.e. Marine Corps, Army, Air Force to enable early assessment of a new technology's warfighting capabilities, and to inform the Fleet and acquisition community on smarter technology-selection decisions. This Program also supports cooperative R&D through Information/Data Exchange Agreements (IEA/ DEA) and joint Project Arrangements (PA) with international Allies, which target core technology maturation, future submarine component concept designs, etc. Major technology developmental efforts within this budget submission include: Strategic Capability Infrastructure - Large Scale Vehicle (LSV) - Large Scale Vehicle Recapitalization - Intermediate Scale Measurement System (ISMS) - High Gain Measurement System (HGMS) - Acoustic Range Detachment (ARD) Ranges Recapitalization - South Tongue of the Ocean (TOTO) Acoustic Measurement Facility (STAFAC) Recapitalization Long Range R&D Investment - Advanced Material Propeller (AMP) Technology - Advanced Signature Management - Advanced SSN Technologies - Next Generation Thrust (future propulsor/shafting technologies) - Advanced Hull Treatments Rapid Technology Development - Innovation Technology Transfer PROJECT 3391: In 2013, OPNAV N97 established SSN/SSGN Survivability Program (S3P) as a separate project area within ASSD to assure SSN/SSGN survivability and the ability of submarines to complete their joint warfighting missions even if covert mobility is compromised. FY 2018 is the first year of S3P execution as Project 3391 under ASSD with level funding across the FYDP. PBR 19 proposes technology projects that would help pace world-wide technology advances and red investments so as to track and assess US undersea superiority technology insertion plans and their impact on SSN/SSGN survivability.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0603561N_4_1319_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: FUNDING CHANGES SINCE THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT'S BUDGET AT THE OVERALL PE LEVEL: - FY 2023 net decrease of $-2.813M reflects the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) transfer ($-3.235M) and the incorporation of a programmatic and cancelled accounts reprogrammings ($+0.422M). - FY 2025 net increase of $7.620M reflects the planned ramp up in design, planning, systems integration testing and the initiation of significant long lead time material procurements of HGMS and ISMS range components in support of ARD Range Recapitalization ($+9.000M) and the incorporation of miscellaneous rate adjustments ($-1.380M). INFORMATION AT THE PROJECT LEVEL: PROJECT 0223: FUNDING CHANGES: The FY 2024 ($60.360M) to FY 2025 ($60.407M) net budget increase ($+0.047M) reflects the planned phasing of Project Rebound's incorporation into Advanced Processing Build (APB) / Submarine Warfare Federated Tactical Systems (SWTFS) and the incorporation of miscellaneous rate adjustments. SCHEDULE CHANGES: APB-23 'Step 4 At-Sea Test' has shifted from 3Q24 to 1Q25 and the 'Transition to PEO UWS Production Programs' has shifted from 4Q24 to 2Q25 as a result of the Fleet being unable to provide a test SSN until 1Q25. Test events and the subsequent transition are contingent on platform availability. This six (6) month shift will allow for the continued development and inclusion of added capability into APB-23. This shift has not affected APB-25 or APB-27. PROJECT 2033: FUNDING CHANGES: FY 2024 ($28.055M) to FY 2025 ($36.287M) increase ($+8.232M) due to planned ramp up in design, planning, systems integration testing and the initiation of significant long lead time material procurements of HGMS and ISMS range components in support of ARD Range Recapitalization. Without the increased funding, range capabilities will be impacted.
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

Tags

Readers

• Maritime and Naval Warfare Studies
• Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.

Technology Areas

• Microelectronics