Navy Ships: Status of SSN-21 Design and Lead Ship Construction Program
Abstract
Detailed design of the Seawolf class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN-21) has been in progress for the past 5 years and is expected to be completed by June 1995. Construction of the first SSN-21 began in October 1989; it will cost the Navy more than $2 billion (then-year dollars) when delivered in May 1996. Originally, the Navy planned to buy 29 SSN-21s through fiscal year 1999; however, that number was reduced to 12 submarines in January 1991, raising the average unit cost from $1.5 billion to $2.8 billion (then-year dollars). Before the SSN-21 program was reduced from 29 to 12 submarines, the Chairmen, Subcommittee on Projection Forces and Regional Defense, Senate Committee on Armed Services, and Legislation and National Security Subcommittee, House Committee on Government Operations, asked GAO to (1) evaluate the status of the SSN-21 class design; (2) determine and evaluate the status of major subsystem development efforts and the potential impact of these systems on the SSN-21 construction program; and (3) assess the cost, schedule, and performance of the SSN-21 construction program. Subsequently, in January 1992, after GAO completed its analysis, the Bush administration announced plans to terminate the SSN-21 program after one submarine. On March 20, 1992, President Bush submitted to the Congress two rescission proposals totaling more than $2.9 billion. These proposed rescissions are for funds appropriated for construction of follow-on SSN-21s. However, these proposals must still go through the legislative review process and be accepted. Since this report primarily deals with the status of the SSN-21 class design and construction of the first submarine, the administrations rescission plans minimally affect the information contained in this report. But, if accepted, the plan will negate the report's recommendation and matters for congressional consideration sections.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- AD1149618
Entities
People
- Richard A. Davis
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office