Surface & submarine program budget highlights
NewsFebruary 28, 2018
WASHINGTON. Funding slated for major shipbuilding and maritime systems totals $33.4 billion under the Department of Defense (DoD) Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 acquisition funding request, an increase of $2.7 billion over the FY 2018 request. Included below are updates on programs such as the CVN 78 Gerald R. Ford Class aircraft carrier, Arleigh Burke class destroyers, the Columbia class submarine, and more.
This funding request is covered in the DoD’s “Program Acquisition Cost by Weapons System” booklet, which lists funding for programs that have been designated as Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs). Of the Trump Administration’s $236.7 billion FY 2018 budget request, $92.3 billion is designated for key MDAP programs.
The shipbuilding portfolio for FY 2018 includes funding for the the construction and service life extension of 18 vessels. Ten ships are part of the battle force fleet: 2 SSN 774 Virginia Class nuclear attack submarines; 3 DDG 51 Arleigh Burke Class destroyers; 1 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS); 2 Fleet Replenishment Oilers; 1 Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship (T-ATS); and 1 Expeditionary Sea Base. Eight ships are support vessels: 5 Ship to Shore Connectors; 2 Landing Craft, Utility; and 1 LCAC Service Life Extension. In addition, the FY 2019 request includes funding for Advance Procurement to support detail design activities and long lead items for the Columbia Class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) and long lead item for the Refueling and Complex Overhaul of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Program highlights are below. To read the entire booklet, click here.
The CVN 78 Gerald R. Ford class ships will include new technologies and improvements to improve efficiency and operating costs as well as reduced crew requirements. These ships will be the premier forward asset for crisis response and early decisive striking power in a major combat operation. The FY 2019 program funds the second year of construction costs for USS Enterprise (CVN 80); outfitting, training, and continued development of ship systems. FY 2019 funding requested is $1.766 billion down from $4.638 billion spent in FY 2018.
The DDG 51 Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface, and subsurface environments. The FY 2019 program calls for funding three Flight III DDG 51 class destroyers as part of a multiyear procurement contract for ten ships from FY 2018 – FY 2022 (with potential options for additional ships), outfitting costs, cost-to-complete for prior year ships, and continued development of ship systems. FY 2019 funding requested is $5.986 billion up from $4.014 billion spent in FY 2018.
The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a small surface combatant capable of operations close to shore. The FY 2019 program funds Funds construction of one LCS seaframe, outfitting, trainers, support
equipment, cost-to-complete for prior year ships, modernization efforts, and development costs
for a new class of small surface combatant. FY 2019 funding requested is $1.254 billion down from $1.654 billion in the FY 2018 request.
The Columbia Class Ballistic Missile Submarine is designed to replace the current Ohio class of Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN). The FY 2019 program funds Funds advance procurement for 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. FY 2019 funding requested is $3.710 billion up from $1.885 billion in the FY 2018 request.
The Virginia Class Submarine is a multi-mission nuclear-powered attack submarine. The FY 2019 program calls for funding two ships in the first year of multiyear procurement contract from FY 2019 to FY 2023 for ten ships, Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), advance procurement for two ships in future years, and outfitting and support equipment. It also continues funding the development of the Virginia Payload Module, technology, prototype components, and systems engineering required for design and construction. FY 2019 funding requested is $7.446 billion up from $5.546 billion in the FY 2018 request.
The Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) is the functional replacement for the existing fleet of Landing Craft, Air Cushioned (LCAC) vehicles, which are nearing the end of their service life. The FY 2019 program continues construction funding of LHA 8, outfitting costs, and continuing research and development efforts. FY 2019 funding requested is $362.4 million up from $245.1 million in the FY 2018 request.
