Concept of Operations for a New Deep-Diving Submarine

摘要

The NR-1 is the Navy's only nuclear deep-diving research submarine capable of scientific and military missions. Its nuclear reactor will be exhausted in 2012; therefore, the NR-1 must be refueled or retired before then. As part of its considerations in this regard, the Navy is developing a concept of operations (CONOP) for a possible replacement platform, initially designated the NR-2. The study summarized here was designed to provide insight into the capabilities that an NR-2 platform or system might incorporate and help define operational capability requirements based on a prioritization of those capabilities and the missions they would support. We neither discuss potential alternatives to an NR-2 nor analyze the costs associated with the platform. The results of this study will inform a future Navy analysis of alternatives, including a cost-benefit assessment.