Columbia Submarine: Overly Optimistic Cost Estimate Will Likely Lead to Budget Increases
Abstract
The Navy has identified the Columbia class submarine program as its top acquisition priority. It plans to invest over $100 billion to develop andpurchase 12 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines to replace aging Ohio class submarines by 2031. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 and House Report 115-200 included provisions that GAO review the status of the program. This report examines (1) the Navys progress and challenges, if any, in meeting design goals and preparing for lead submarine construction; (2) the reliability of the Navys cost estimate; and (3) how the Navy is implementing a special fund and associated authorities to construct Columbia class submarines. GAO reviewed Navy and shipbuilder progress reports, program schedules, and construction plans. GAO assessed the Navys cost estimate and compared it to best practices for cost estimating. GAO also reviewed certain Navy funding and acquisition authorities and interviewed program officials. This is a public version of a sensitive report that GAO issued in March 2019. Information that the Department of Defense (DOD) deemed sensitive has been omitted. GAO is making three recommendations: that the Navy update the lead submarine cost estimate with cost risk analysis using current cost data, develop a realistic estimate of savings from use of the Funds authorities, and use this updated cost estimate to inform its budget request for lead submarine construction. DOD concurred with GAOs recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1153878
Entities
People
- Brian Bothwell
- Daniel Glickstein
- Diana Moldafsky
- Jessica Karnis
- Kurt Gurka
- Laura Jezewski
- Nathaniel Vaught
- Robin Wilson
- Shelby S. Oakley
- Stephanie Gustafson
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office