Military maritime system procurement & modernization in FY 2017 DoD budget

News

February 27, 2016

The funding request includes base funding and Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding. The DoD’s “Program Acquisition Cost by Weapons System” booklet has $112.1 billion for procurement and $71.8 billion for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) of these weapon system programs. Of the $183.9 billion, $72.7 billion is for programs that have been designated as Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) or Major Automated Information Systems MAIS. The shipbuilding portfolio for FY 2017 includes the funding for the construction of 10 ships (2 SSN 774 Virginia Class nuclear attack submarines; two DDG 51 Arleigh Burke Class destroyers; two Littoral Combat Ships (LCS); one Landing Helicopter Dock Amphibious (LHA) ship); one Moored Training Ship; and two Ship to Shore Connector craft. Program highlights are below. To read the entire booklet, click here.

Littoral Combat Ship

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a small surface combatant capable of operations close to shore. It is designed for operations in three primary anti-access mission areas: surface warfare (SUW) Operations, mine warfare (MIW), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The ships are reconfigured for various operational roles by changing the mission module, each of which have mission area-specific equipment, vehicles, and crews. The FY 2017 program looks to fund construction of two LCS seaframes, outfitting, trainers, and other support equipment. Total funding – procurement, research, and development – in the FY 2017 rises from $1.816 billion in FY 2016 to $1.599 billion. The prime contractors are Lockheed Martin in Middle River, Maryland, and Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.

DDG 51 Arleigh Burke

The DDG 51 class guided missile destroyers are armed with a vertical launching system, which accommodates 96 missiles, and a 5-inch gun that provides Naval Surface Fire Support to forces ashore and anti-ship gunnery capability against other ships. This destroyer class is made up of four separate variants; DDG 51-71 represent the original design, designated Flight I ships, and are being modernized to current capability standards; DDG 72-78 are Flight II ships; DDG 79-123 ships are Flight IIA ships; DDG 124 will become the first Flight III variant. Flight III ships will feature the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) capability. FY 2017 program funding calls for two Flight III DDG 51 AEGIS-class destroyers as part of a multiyear procurement for ten ships from FY 2013 - FY 2017 and outfitting costs. Total funding – procurement, research, and development – in the FY 2017 drops from $4.449 billion in FY 2016 to $3.498 billion. The prime contractors are General Dynamics Corp. in; Bath, Maine and Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

CVN 78 aircraft carrier

The CVN 78 class ships will include new technologies and improvements to improve efficiency and operating costs as well as reduced crew requirements. USS Gerald R. Ford is the first aircraft carrier designed with all electric utilities, eliminating steam service lines from the ship, reducing maintenance requirements and improving corrosion control. The new A1B reactor, Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, advanced arresting gear, and dual band radar all provide improved capability with reduced manning. The FY 2017 program looks to fund the fifth year of construction costs for USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), long lead items for USS Enterprise (CVN 80), outfitting and training costs, and continued development of ship systems. Total funding – procurement, research, and development – in the FY 2017 rises slightly from $2.772 billion in FY 2016 to $2.786 billion. The prime Contractor is Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News, Virginia.

LHA America amphibious assault ship

USS America (LHA 6) class ships are large-deck, amphibious assault ships designed to land and support ground forces. This class can transport a combination of helicopters and vertical take off and landing aircraft. The first two ships, LHA 6 and USS Tripoli LHA 7, are designated as Flight 0 Variants and include an enlarged hangar deck, enhanced aviation maintenance facilities, increased aviation fuel capacity, and additional aviation storerooms as compared to the previous Tarawa (LHA 1) class ships. LHA 8 will be designated the first Flight 1 ship and will reincorporate a well deck for operational flexibility. The well deck will enable surface operations while maintaining the aviation capabilities. The FY 2017 program funds construction of LHA 8, outfitting costs, and continuing R&D efforts. Total funding – procurement, research, and development – in the FY 2017 rises significantly from $498 million in FY 2016 to $1.648 billion. The prime contractor is Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Virginia Class Submarine

The Virginia Class Submarine is a multi mission nuclear-powered attack submarine that is characterized by advanced stealth and enhanced features for Special Operations Forces. The FY 2017 funding request funds two ships as part of a multiyear procurement contract, advance procurement for two ships in future years, and outfitting and support items. It also continues funding for the development of the Virginia Payload Module, technology, prototype components, and systems engineering needed for design and construction. Total funding – procurement, research, and development – in the FY 2017 drops from $5.742 billion in FY 2016 to $5.322 billion. The prime contractors are General Dynamics Corp. in Groton, Connecticut, and Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News, Virginia.

Ohio Replacement Program

The Ohio Replacement Program (ORP) is designed to replace the current Ohio class of Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN), delivering 12 SSBNs with the necessary capability and capacity to meet the sea based strategic deterrence mission beyond retirement of the current submarines force and with sufficient mission capability to counter credible threats through the 2080, according to the DoD. The platform is currently in the research and development stage, but the ORP requirements and specifications are being refined. The ships will begin construction in FY 2021 for FY 2028 delivery when the first Ohio class ships are due to be decommissioned. The nuclear propulsion systems for the ORP will be acquired from the nuclear industrial base under the direction of Naval Reactors, under U.S. Department of Energy authorities. The program included the development and construction of a Common Missile Compartment capable of hosting the existing TRIDENT II missile system, which is conducted jointly with the United Kingdom to support its SUCCESSOR Class SSBN. The FY 2017 program provides funding for advance procurement of long-lead items, detail design, and research and development of nuclear technologies and ship systems such as the propulsion system, combat systems technology, and the common missile compartment. Total funding – procurement, research, and development – in the FY 2017 rises from $1.391 billion in FY 2016 to $1.864 billion. A prime contractor still has yet to be named.

For more FY 2017 MDAPs and MAIS coverage, click the following links:

Major aircraft systems.

Ground system platforms.

Space-based systems.