Newsgroup: it.cultura.militare
Titolo: US Navy Shipbuilding Plans for Fiscal Year 2005

Per chi fosse interessato riporto il discorso tenuto dal sottosegretario
alla ricerca, sviluppo e acquisizioni della marina americana riguardo ai
futuri piani di acquisizione della US Navy.
(Source: Senate Armed Services Committee; issued March 4, 2004)
 SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE; SEAPOWER SUBCOMMITTEE
Statement of The Honorable John J. Young, Jr.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition)
at the hearing on Future Navy & Marine Corps Capabilities and Requirements
March 3, 2004
SHIPBUILDING PROGRAMS
Our FY 2005 Budget request calls for construction of nine ships: three
ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51) Class destroyers; one VIRGINIA (SSN 774) Class
submarine; one SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) Class Amphibious Transport Dock ship;
two LEWIS & CLARK (T-AKE) Class Auxiliary Cargo & Ammunition ships; one
DD(X); and one Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). If approved, this would increase
to 38 the total number of ships authorized and under construction.
The FY 2005 Budget request represents an increase of two ships over the
seven ships in the FY 2004 program. In addition, we have requested funding
for advance procurement of the eighth and ninth VIRGINIA Class submarines,
Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) material procurement for the eighth, ninth,
and tenth VIRGINIA Class submarines, advance procurement for CVN 21
construction and CVN 70 refueling complex overhaul (RCOH), continued funding
for SSGN Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO) and conversion, continued
funding for LHD 8, funding for TICONDEROGA Class cruiser modernization, and
the service life extension for five Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) craft.
These shipbuilding programs are the leading edge of our Naval transformation
to the Seabasing concept, which is modularly constructed on four capability
pillars. Those pillars are SEA SHIELD, SEA BASE, SEA STRIKE and ForceNet.
SEA SHIELD is made up of those components that provide protection and
assured access to our forces.
SEA BASE is the pillar of capabilities that allows naval forces to exploit
the maneuver space provided by U.S. control of the sea.
SEA STRIKE includes all of the capabilities within the force that provide
offensive fires and maneuver in a complementary synergistic fashion. This
includes strike aircraft, missiles, surface fires, and expeditionary
maneuver elements.
ForceNet is the network that ties these disbursed platforms together through
C4ISR nodes to provide robust battle space awareness, precise targeting,
rapid and precise fires and maneuver and responsive logistics.
We have grouped our shipbuilding programs into each of the four seabasing
pillars based on their primary weapon systems however each platform has the
ability to perform functions of other pillars as well.
1. SEA SHIELD
ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51) Class Destroyer
The FY 2005 Budget request includes $3.445 billion for the procurement of
the final three ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51) Class destroyers. These ships are
part of a 10 ship, FY 2002 through FY 2005 Multi Year Procurement (MYP)
contract awarded in 2002, which finalized the DDG procurement profile and
sustains our industry partners until we transition to DD(X)
production.
TICONDEROGA (CG 47) Cruiser Modernization Plan
The FY 2005 Budget request includes $166 million for systems that will add
new mission capabilities and extend the combat system service life of the
TICONDEROGA (CG 47) Class. The upgrade of these ships will add new, and
enhance existing, combat system capabilities to improve compatibility in
joint and coalition warfare environments. Furthermore, these improvements
will upgrade the quality of life for our Sailors and lower the operating
costs for those ships.
Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)
The LCS will be a networked, agile, mission focused, stealthy surface
combatant with capabilities optimized for responsiveness to threats in the
littorals. LCS will utilize core onboard sensors and weapons combined with
reconfigurable mission packages employing manned and unmanned vehicles and
modular sensors and weapons to execute assigned tasks and operate as a node
in a network centric battle force.
Primary missions for the ship will include littoral Mine Warfare, littoral
Surface Warfare and littoral Anti Submarine Warfare to ensure access of
friendly forces in littoral regions. The LCS program awarded contracts to
three industry teams in July 2003. The FY 2005 Budget request includes $352
million of RDT&E funding for LCS platform and mission system development and
initial ship procurement.
The LCS spiral development acquisition strategy will support construction of
multiple flights of focused mission ships and mission packages with
progressive capability improvements. Flight 0 is comprised of four ships,
with the first ship requested for authorization in FY 2005 using RDT&E, N
funds with detail design and construction commencing in FY 2005. Mission
modules will deliver in support of the Flight 0 seaframe delivery in FY
2007. Flight 0 will develop and demonstrate several new approaches to Naval
warfare including suitability of large-scale modular mission technologies
and new operational concepts in the littoral.
The industry teams submitted their proposals for final system design and
detail design and construction phase in January 2004. The down select to one
or two teams for final system design and detail design and construction of
Flight 0 is anticipated in late Spring 2004.
VIRGINIA (SSN 774) Class Attack Submarines
With current construction progressing on schedule, the FY 2005 Budget
request includes $2.5 billion for the seventh ship, advance procurement for
the eight and ninth ships of the VIRGINIA Class, and Economic Order Quantity
(EOQ) material procurement for the eighth, ninth, and tenth VIRGINIA Class
submarines. There are a total of ten VIRGINIA Class submarines under
contract. This year's ship will be the second ship in the five-ship MYP.
This MYP contracting approach provides the Navy savings of $80M per ship for
a total savings of $400M compared to "block buy" procurement. These ships
will continue to be built under the teaming approach adopted by Congress in
1998, which maintains two capable nuclear submarine shipbuilders. In
accordance with FY 2004 Congressional direction, procurement of two VIRGINIA
Class submarines per year is delayed until FY 2009.
2. SEA STRIKE
DD(X) Destroyer
The FY 2005 Budget request includes $1,432 million in RDT&E funds for DD(X)
with $221 million for lead ship detail design and construction. The Navy is
two years into the competitively awarded DD(X) design and technology
development effort. The winning contractor has organized a National Team of
industry experts to achieve the most innovative and cost-effective solutions
for development of the DD(X) through spiral development of technologies and
engineering, with promising systems being employed on existing platforms and
other future ship classes. DD(X) will dramatically improve naval surface
fire support capabilities. Planned technologies, such as integrated power
system and total ship computing environment in an open architecture, will
provide more affordable future ship classes in terms of both construction
and operation. In a noteworthy partnership with industry, the Navy shifted
the DD(X) volume search radar to S-band, providing increased capability and
the future potential to support missile defense operations.
SSGN
The FY 2005 Budget requests $517 million of procurement funding for the
continued conversion of the third OHIO Class submarine, and the Engineered
Refueling Overhaul of the fourth and final submarine to be converted to
SSGN. When completed, these submarines will provide transformational
warfighting capability carrying up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles and
support deployed special operating forces. The four SSGN conversions will be
executed utilizing a public-private partnership conducting the work in Naval
Shipyards, and are scheduled for delivery in FY 2007.
3. SEA BASE
CVN 21 Class
The CVN 21 program is designing the aircraft carrier for the 21st Century,
as the replacement for the NIMITZ Class nuclear aircraft carriers. CVN 21
will be the centerpiece of tomorrow's Carrier Strike Groups and a
contribution to every capability pillar envisioned in Sea Power 21. CVN 21
will be a primary force in Sea Strike with enhancements such as a future air
wing which will include the Joint Strike Fighter and Joint Unmanned Combat
Air Systems. CVN 21's transformational command centers will combine the
power of FORCEnet and a flexible open system architecture to support
multiple simultaneous missions, including integrated strike planning,
joint/coalition operations and Special Warfare missions. The CVN 21 based
strike group will play a major role in Sea Shield protecting United States
interests, while deterring enemies and reassuring allies. CVN 21 will
provide the United States the capability to quickly project combat power
anywhere in the world, independent of land based support.
Overall, CVN 21 will increase sortie generation rate by nearly 20 percent,
increase survivability to better handle future threats and have depot
maintenance requirements that could support an increase of up to 25 percent
in operational availability. The new design nuclear propulsion plant and
improved electric plant together provide three times the electrical
generation capacity of a NIMITZ Class carrier. This capacity allows the
introduction of new systems such as Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching
System, Advanced Arresting Gear, and a new integrated warfare system that
will leverage advances in open systems architecture to be affordably
upgraded. Other features include an enhanced flight deck, improved weapons
handling and aircraft servicing efficiency, and a flexible island
arrangement allowing for future technology insertion.
The FY 2005 Budget request includes $626 million for continued development
of CVN 21. The Construction Preparation Contract, planned for 3rd quarter FY
2004, will be for design, advance planning, advance construction,
non-nuclear advance procurement, and continuation of research studies to
further reduce CVN 21 manpower requirements and total ownership costs.
The construction contract is scheduled for award in 1st quarter FY 2007,
with ship delivery in 2014. The program is currently working toward a
Milestone B review in 3rd quarter FY 2004.
NIMITZ Class
Refueling and Complex Overhauls (RCOH) provide a bridge between maintaining
current readiness requirements and preparing the platform for future
readiness initiatives in support of Sea Power 21 by leveraging developing
technologies from other programs and platforms that support RCOH planning
and production schedules for advantageous insertion during this major
recapitalization effort.
The Navy negotiated a modification to the RCOH contract for USS DWIGHT D.
EISENHOWER (CVN 69) in December 2003. The renegotiated contract provides
incentives for Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN) and the Navy team to
work together to manage the completion of this complex availability. The
Navy and NGNN created a better incentive contract structure to contain cost
risk and maintain schedule. It is expected that this improved acquisition
model will be used in future contracts for aircraft carrier construction and
overhaul. USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER overhaul is scheduled to complete by
November 2004.
The USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) RCOH start was delayed one year to November
2005. USS CARL VINSON will remain available for operations until Summer
2005. This added availability enables the Navy to maintain a flexible
defense posture and at the same time bring increased capability to project
credible, persistent Naval combat power globally. Other advantages for the
move included maintaining a balanced and stabilized industrial base for Navy
ship maintenance in both public and private yards and providing additional
near-term funding for ongoing recapitalization efforts. The FY 2005 Budget
request includes $333 million in advance procurement funding for the USS
CARL VINSON overhaul.
Lastly, the Navy commissioned USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) in July 2003, and
laid the keel for GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77) in September 2003.
MPF(F)
Most prominent in highlighting the value and power of the nation's naval
expeditionary capability was the Marine Corps' participation in Operation
IRAQI FREEDOM. Success in this operation was due to our naval dominance, our
expeditionary nature, and our flexibility and adaptability to defeat the
challenges posed by enemy threats. Among other naval assets, eleven
strategically located Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) ships were
unloaded in 16 days to provide the equipment and sustainment required for
two Marine Expeditionary Brigades.
Exploiting the operational speed, reach, and inherent flexibility of
seapower, the Navy-Marine Corps team achieved a rapid buildup of sustained
warfighting power that was combat ready to support US Central Command.
We continue to revolutionize this invaluable capability. We are currently in
the process of analyzing potential platform replacements. The Analysis of
Alternatives for MPF(F) is complete.
Current guidance requires MPF(F) to provide the combatant commander highly
flexible operational and logistics support for missions projecting power
ashore from a sea base, or during independent operations. Unlike current
pre-positioning ships, MPF(F) will greatly improve our forces' flexibility
by allowing operations that are fully interoperable with Naval and joint
forces.
MPF(F) represents the link between forward deployed forces and their
reach-back bases both in CONUS and overseas, and will be a crucial element
to Enhanced Networked Seabasing both for Naval and joint forces. Unlike any
other prepositioning ship, the MPF(F) will not be reliant on a port
facility, greatly reducing our dependence on international support. The
ability to rapidly close and employ a large force dramatically increase the
flexibility and utility of the seabased force and present the Combatant
Commander with more response options than ever before. A formal report of th
e results is expected in Spring 2004.
Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)
Our fleet LCACs saw dramatically increased operational tempo supporting
worldwide operations during the past year, underscoring the need for the
LCAC Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). The program, designed to extend
the service life of LCACs to 30 years, had several notable accomplishments
during the past year: LCAC 25 delivered on time in November 2003, and LCAC 2
delivered on time in February 2004. We awarded a contract to Textron Marine
and Land Systems New Orleans for the FY 2002 and 2003 SLEPs (six craft
total) in December 2002 and all craft are currently on schedule. The award
of the FY 2004 contract for four craft is anticipated in the second quarter
of FY 2004. The FY 2005 Budget request includes $90 million for SLEP of five
craft. We are continuing with our revised acquisition strategy to refurbish
vice replace the buoyancy boxes and will competitively select the FY 2005
SLEP work.
The revised acquisition strategy will deliver the required LCAC capability
and service life while providing a cost savings of $104 million through the
FYDP for the program.
LPD 17
The SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) Class of amphibious transport dock ships represents
a critical element of the Navy and Marine Corps future in expeditionary
warfare. The FY 2005 Budget request includes $966 million to fully fund the
construction of the seventh ship. Four additional LPD 17s are included in
the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP), with the final ship of the 12-ship
Class planned beyond the FYDP. The FY 2005 Budget request reflects
rephrasing of one ship from FY 2006 to FY 2005 that will result in a more
efficient workload profile as well as a total FYDP savings of approximately
$40M. Lead ship detail design is complete, lead ship fabrication is
approximately 85% complete, and the lead ship was launched and christened in
July 2003. Current efforts are focused on managing schedule and cost. LPD 18
construction began in February 2002. LPD 19/20 construction commenced in
July 2001 and October 2002, respectively. We awarded the contract for LPD 21
in November 2003, named NEW YORK to honor the victims of the World Trade
Center attack, and plan to award the contract for LPD 22 in 3Q FY 2004.
LHD 8
In accordance with Congressional direction to incrementally fund LHD 8, the
FY 2005 Budget requests $236M for continued construction. LHD 8 will be the
first big deck amphibious ship that will be powered by gas turbine
propulsion, and all of its auxiliary systems will rely on electrical power
rather than steam. This change is expected to realize significant lifecycle
cost savings. The ship, recently named MAKIN ISLAND, had its keel laying
ceremony on February 14, 2004.
LHA(R)
The FY 2005 Budget requests $44.2 million in R&D for LHA(R). LHA(R) concept
designs are being evaluated within the context of Joint Seabasing and power
projection. This ship will be the centerpiece of the Expeditionary Strike
Group, a contributor to the Expeditionary Strike Force, and will carry
expeditionary warfare through the middle of this century. The ship will
leverage the future Sea Based environment and greatly enhance command and
control capabilities and at sea training for embarked forces. The resulting
design is planned to provide a transformational capability that is
interoperable with future amphibious and Maritime Prepositioning Force
ships, high-speed vessels, and advanced rotorcraft like the MV-22 and
CH-53X, and the Joint Strike Fighter. This funding supports design
development leading to a planned ship construction award in FY 2008.
Auxiliary Dry Cargo Ammunition Ship (T-AKE)
The FY 2005 Budget request includes $768 million for the seventh and eighth
ships. The first four ships have been authorized and appropriated and are
under contract with NASSCO for construction. Exercise of the option for the
fifth and sixth ships occurred in January 2004. Lead ship construction
commenced in September 2003, with a projected delivery date of October 2005.
The second ship is projected to deliver in FY 2006, while the third and
fourth ship deliveries are projected for FY 2007.
Cobra Judy
The Navy successfully contracted with industry to develop and build a
replacement for the aging Cobra Judy surveillance platform. Working in
partnership with industry and leveraging Missile Defense Agency investments
in radar technology, the Navy developed an innovative strategy which
accelerated the acquisition of this essential capability while also creating
the possibility to leverage the Cobra Judy program to create a competition
for the radar for the Navy's future cruiser, CG(X).
COMPLETION OF PRIOR YEAR SHIPBUILDING CONTRACTS
I am pleased to report that the Navy experienced zero growth on ship
construction contracts over the last year. The management actions instituted
to address shipbuilding contract shortfalls have been effective. Elimination
of the prior year shipbuilding budget line is within our grasp. We are
continuously working to review the scope and cost of ships under
construction to avoid new bills. We are also working diligently to set valid
cost targets for new ships and combining this with contract terms and
conditions that reward good performance. The Congress provided $636 million
in FY 2004 to address cost growth for ships contracted in 1999 and 2000.
The FY 2005 Budget request reflects $484 million to address similar
shortfalls, resulting in a Prior Year Cost to Complete remaining balance of
$46 million dollars. However, we are still reviewing the projected
completion cost for CVN-77, a ship that was budgeted and contracted for
under previous procedures. To avoid future prior year completion bills, it
is essential that ships be budgeted at targets which reflect the material
and labor cost escalation experienced by U.S. industry.
SUMMARY
Our Naval forces are unique in their contribution to the Nation's defense.
Versatile Naval expeditionary forces are the nation's first responders,
relied upon to establish the tempo of action, control the early phases of
hostilities, and set conditions for decisive resolution. America's ability
to protect its homeland, assure our friends and allies, deter potential
adversaries, and project decisive combat power depends on maritime
superiority. The transformation of Naval forces is dedicated to greatly
expanding the sovereign options available worldwide to the President across
the full spectrum of warfare by exploiting one of our Nation's asymmetric
advantages - control of the sea. The transformation of our Naval forces
leverages enduring capabilities for projecting sustainable, immediately
employable joint combat power by facilitating the accelerated deployment and
flexible employment of additional joint capabilities through a family of
systems and assets afloat. Our FY 2005 Shipbuilding Budget request seeks to
accelerate our investment in Naval Power 21 to transform our force and its
ability to operate as an effective component of the joint war fighting team.
Congressional support of this shipbuilding plan is essential to achieving
this vision.
I thank you for your consideration.
-ends-

 futuri piani di acquisizione della US Navy.
...e postare il solo link proprio non si poteva, eh ?
Saluti,
---------------------------
      Luca Morandini
 
lmora...@ieee.org
http://www.lucamorandini.it
---------------------------

 Saluti,
Il server ti avrebbe chiesto user id e password :P

 Il server ti avrebbe chiesto user id e password :P
Azz... mi hai fregato ;)
