Naval Reserves: The Frigate Trainer Program Should Be Canceled
Abstract
In March 1990, as part of efforts to reduce the size of the fleet and to meet planned budget reductions, the Navy proposed decommissioning all 46 of the Knox class frigates--whose primary ocean escort mission is to protect merchant ship convoys from submarines. Decommissioning these frigates was considered prudent because, although they had significant service life remaining, they would have required costly weapons modernization and upgrades if they remained in the active fleet. (The frigates lack the guns, electronics and surface-to-air missiles that the Navy considers necessary for modern, anti-air and surface warfare.) The Navy estimated that decommissioning the entire Knox class would save about $6 billion over their projected 10 years' of remaining service life. In August 1990, however, a Navy task force recommended the "Innovative Naval Reserve Concept," whereby eight of the Knox class frigates would be assigned to the reserves. These frigates would be used to train "nucleus crews" for another 32 Knox class frigates that would be decommissioned and maintained in a slightly higher state of readiness than other ships the Navy decommissions. The remaining six frigates would be offered for sale or lease to foreign governments. Training nucleus crews during peacetime was seen as a hedge against the possibility of a future global war. The Secretary of the Navy approved the program in November 1990.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 28, 1992
- Accession Number
- AD1153777
Entities
People
- Martin M. Ferber
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office