Navy Attack Submarine Force-Level Goal and Procurement Rate: Background and Issues for Congress
Abstract
The Navy is currently procuring one Virginia (SSN-774) class attack submarine per year. Each submarine costs about $2.3 billion. The FY2005-FY2009 Future Years Defense Plan (FYDP) submitted by the Department of Defense (DoD) proposes increasing the procurement rate to two ships per year starting in FY2009. DoD is also, however, conducting a study that could lead to a change in the current attack submarine force-level goal of 55 boats. Submarine supporters are concerned that Navy or DoD officials are seeking to reduce the attack submarine force-level goal to justify keeping Virginia-class procurement at one per year beyond FY2008. Issues for Congress include the following: Should the attack submarine force-level goal be 55 or some other number? At what rate should Virginia-class submarines be procured in coming years? Should the current joint-production arrangement for building Virginia-class submarines be continued or altered? Congress' decisions on these issues could significantly affect future Navy capabilities, Navy funding requirements, and the submarine industrial base. In considering whether the attack submarine force-level goal should be 55 or some other number, key factors to consider include day-to-day demands for attack submarines in recent years, recent and potential wartime demands for attack submarines, submarine-launched unmanned vehicles (UVs), attack submarine homeporting and crewing arrangements, the Trident cruise missile submarine (SSGN) conversion program, and contributions by allied and friendly attack submarines. In considering the rate at which submarines should be procured in coming years, key factors to consider include the attack submarine force-level goal, attack submarine service lives, the effect of annual procurement rates on unit procurement costs, industrial-base considerations, and funding requirements for other defense-spending priorities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 30, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA472806
Entities
People
- Ronald O'Rourke
Organizations
- Library of Congress