Navy Attack Submarine Force-Level Goal and Procurement Rate: Background and Issues for Congress

Abstract

Of the 282 ships in the Navy at the end of FY2005, 54 were nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). The Navy is planning to maintain in coming years a fleet of 313 ships, including 48 SSNs. The Navy is currently procuring one Virginia (SSN-774) class SSN per year. The Navy's 30-year SSN procurement plan, if implemented, would not be sufficient to maintain a force of 48 SSNs consistently over the long run. In addition, for the first time in about 50 years, there is currently no new submarine being designed, which has led to a decline in work for submarine designers and engineers. Issues for Congress include the following: Is 48 the correct number of SSNs to meet future needs? Should the start of two-per-year Virginia-class procurement be accelerated from FY2012 to an earlier year, such as FY2009, so as to come closer to maintaining a force of 48 SSNs in the 2020s-2030s? How should the submarine design and engineering base be maintained in coming years? This report will be updated as events warrant.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 26, 2006
Accession Number
ADA467409

Entities

People

  • Ronald O'Rourke

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Attack Submarines
  • Boats
  • Los Angeles Class
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Vessels
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Nuclear Powered Submarines
  • Nuclear Propulsion
  • Procurement
  • Seawolf Class
  • Submarine Warfare
  • Submarines
  • Unmanned Underwater Vehicles
  • Uss North Carolina
  • Virginia Class

Readers

  • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
  • Public Financial Management and Budgeting