Retention of FRAM Destroyers May Be Impractical

A request was made to review the Navy's reasons for retiring Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) destroyers in the Naval Reserve Force. Specifically, GAO was requested to: (1) evaluate the material condition of the ships; (2) determine if these ships could be provided with mission essential equipment to enable them to perform a useful mission through 1985; and (3) determine if these ships could be overhauled and upgraded to extend their useful life at a reasonable cost. Also, the habitability aboard the ships was reviewed. The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations agreed in conference that the Navy should retain 12 of the 20 Naval Reserve Force destroyers programmed for decommissioning in fiscal year 1980, while a careful review of the practicality of retaining the remaining ships was conducted. As an interim measure the Committees provided funds and directed the overhaul of three destroyers in fiscal year 1979 and two in fiscal year 1980. The fiscal year 1980 appropriation for these overhauls amounted to $34 million. These overhauls have not yet begun. The House Committee on Appropriations, on several occasions, expressed concern about the Navy's decision to decommission the reserve destroyers in light of the fact that a severe shortage of escort ships existed through 1985. However, the Navy has recently reexamined force level objectives and has determined that the number of escort ships is sufficient to meet minimum escort force level objectives.