DDG 1000 vs. DDG 51: An Analysis of U.S. Navy Destroyer Procurement
Abstract
The research presented is a comparative analysis of DDG 51 and DDG 1000 Destroyer programs in terms of acquisition strategy, cost structure and capability. The DDG 51 is arguably the most successful surface ship program in modern U.S. Navy history with sixty-two ships purchased between FY 1985 to FY 2005. DDG 51's success can be attributed to excellence in multiple warfare areas, predictable cost structure and the use proven technologies that were incrementally upgraded. The DDG 1000 has been in development since the mid 1990s and has been the subject of harsh criticism due to cost overruns and the slow maturation of critical technologies. Recently, despite years of support from Navy shipbuilding officials, the Chief of Naval Operations requested that the DDG 1000 program be truncated to two ships in order to clear the way for the purchase of eight additional DDG 51s between FY 2010 and FY 2015. The Navy based its reasoning primarily on emerging threats that the DDG 1000 was not able to deter. The research supports the Navy's recommendation to truncate the DDG 1000 program at two ships and reopen DDG 51 production lines. The DDG 51's versatility and established cost structure brings the Navy closer to its goal of 313 ships while ensuring the ability to counter emerging threats. The DDG 1000, despite its impressive new technologies, simply did not add enough capability to warrant its excessive cost growth. The DDG 1000 program, however, was not a waste of time or money. The DDG 1000 will provide the Navy with increased capability in the littorals and serve as a technological test platform that will bridge the gap to future classes of surface ships.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA494009
Entities
People
- Bryan T. Wolfe
- James C. Hagerty
- Pauleen D. Stevens
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School