Skip to main content

Navy Shipbuilding Programs: Nuclear Attack Submarine Requirements

T-NSIAD-95-120 Published: Mar 16, 1995. Publicly Released: Mar 16, 1995.
Jump To:
Skip to Highlights

Highlights

GAO discussed the requirements for continued production of nuclear attack submarines, focusing on: (1) less costly alternatives for maintaining the required submarine force structure; and (2) the adequacy of the Department of Defense's (DOD) justification for building the SSN-23 submarine. GAO noted that: (1) there is currently no competition to build nuclear attack submarines and DOD has not clarified what it means by long-term industrial base and national security needs; (2) under one alternative, the Navy could maintain a sustained low-rate production or defer SSN construction until early in the next century; (3) the Navy could also extend the service life of 9 refueled SSN-688, which would save $17 billion in procurement costs; (4) these alternatives demonstrate that the Navy can maintain its approved force levels by acquiring fewer than 31 submarines through 2014 as currently planned; and (5) preserving the industrial base would not threaten competition because only one shipyard produces nuclear submarines.

Full Report

Office of Public Affairs

Topics

Antisubmarine warfareCost analysisMilitary budgetsMilitary cost controlMilitary vesselsNaval procurementNuclear armed submarinesNuclear weaponsProcurement planningShipbuilding industry