SUBMARINE PROGRAMS IN THE FY97 BUDGET

An extract from Highlights of the Department of the Navy FY 1997 Budget.

The submarine shipbuilding program has been structured to ensure a successful recapitalization of our Submarine Force. The FY 1997 budget reflects our continued commitment to support the necessary replacement of our aging Submarine Force in the next decade and sustain the submarine industrial base. The FY 1996 Seawolf class submarine (SSN 23) will bridge the gap in submarine construction until the New Attack Submarine is introduced in FY 1998. The FY 1997 budget for SSN 23 includes the balance of funds required to complete the submarine authorized in FY 1996. While we continue to refine the cost estimates for the New Attack Submarine program, the overall objective continues to be the delivery of an affordable yet capable platform. In this spirit, the budget has been revised to reflect the development and procurement of the Lightweight Wide Aperture Array for the New Attack Submarine. Our budget reflects the addition of funding provided in FY 1996 for a second NSSN. At the direction of Congress, the Future Years Defense Program reflects the procurement of four New Attack Submarines, two to be constructed by Electric Boat in FY 1998 and FY 2000 and two to be constructed by Newport News Shipbuilding in FY 1999 and FY 2001. The funding required to finance construction of the FY 1999 and FY 2001 submarines, which would include $513 million in FY 1997, is not accommodated in the President’s Budget.

To ensure strategic deterrence, the annual procurement rate for the Trident II (D-5) missile program continues to be seven missiles across FYs 1997-1999 and 12 missiles in FY 2000 and FY 2001. The budget reflects the assumption that the United Kingdom will continue to procure five missiles a year in FY 1997-FY 1999. This budget reflects the addition of a fourth Trident navigation suite to be procured in FY 1997. This action assures that C-4 Tridents are fully supported until inactivation as well as supporting the D-5 backfit for four C-4 Tridents.

Mk48 ADCAP torpedo performance upgrades began in FY 1995 and continue through the FYDP. The quantity budgeted for procurement over the FYDP has been reduced from 1,386 kits to 1,110 kits, reflecting decreased requirements as a result of new Non-Nuclear Ordnance Requirements (NNOR). Additionally, the budget reflects the cost savings which resulted from a recent contract award and reflects a more economical quantity.