Navy Attack Submarine Force-Level Goal and Procurement Rate: Background and Issues for Congress
Abstract
Of the 281 ships in the Navy at the end of FY2006, 55 were nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). The Navy wants to maintain in coming years a fleet of 48 SSNs. The Navy is currently procuring Virginia (SSN-774) class SSNs. The first was procured in FY1998, a total of nine have been procured through FY2007, and the first two had entered service as of the end of FY2006. The FY2008-FY2013 Future Years Defense Plan (FYDP) proposes procuring one Virginia-class boat per year through FY2011, and then two boats per year starting in FY2012. 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. The Navy projects that the SSN force under this plan would fall below 48 boats during the 14- year period 2020-2033, reaching a minimum of 40 boats in 2028-2029. 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, so as to come closer to maintaining a force of 48 SSNs in the 2020s-2030s, and if so, how might that be done financially? How should the submarine design and engineering base be maintained in coming years? This report will be updated as events warrant.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 11, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA470247
Entities
People
- Ronald O'Rourke
Organizations
- Library of Congress