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

摘要

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.