Overly optimistic cost estimate could lead to budget increases

摘要

The US Navy will start taking Ohio class nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines out of service in 2027 and is relying on its new Columbia class submarines to replace them. The schedule for construction and delivery of the first submarine is aggressive and leaves little room for error. However, the US Navy's cost estimate to construct 12 Columbia class submarines -US＄115 billion - 'is not realistic' according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, because it is based on several overly optimistic assumptions, such as the amount of labour needed for construction.