Navy Major Shipbuilding Programs and Shipbuilders: Issues and Options forCongress

摘要

Under the FY1996-FY2OO1 Future Years Defense Plan (FYDP), major ships will beprocured for the Navy at less than half the rate of the 198Os. As a result, production rates at 6 shipyards, which have carried out all of the Navy's major shipbuilding programs since the latter 198Os, will be much lower in total for the next several years than they were during the 198Os. This has raised two key policy issues for Congress: Is the FY1996-FY2OO1 shipbuilding plan adequate.; How many major Navy shipbuilders are needed to meet the Navy's needs. Congress' decisions on these two key issues could affect the future size and structure of the Navy, future Navy funding requirements, the structure of the U.S. shipbuilding industry, thousands of shipbuilding-related jobs, and the health of local economies in several U.S. regions. This report examines these two key issues and discusses options for Congress. Following the introductory chapter, the second chapter of the report provides background information. The third chapter addresses the two key issues. The final chapter discusses options for Congress. Appendices with additional information appear at the end.