The Navy in FY2005 wants to finish procuring Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class destroyers and begin procuring two new classes of surface combatants - a new destroyer called the DD(X), and a smaller surface combatant called the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). These objectives, if implemented, would represent the most significant shift in Navy surface combatant procurement in 20 years. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, modify, or reject the Navy's proposals. In marking up the FY2005 defense budget, the House Armed Services and Appropriations committees have recommended deferring the start of construction of the lead DD(X) beyond FY2005, while the Senate Armed Services and Appropriations committees have recommended that construction start in FY2005. The House and Senate Appropriations committees have stated that they view the first LCSs as prototypes and have recommended deferring the design and construction of follow-on LCSs until these prototypes are built and tested. The Navy wants to acquire a total of up to 24 DD(X)s at a cost of up to roughly $40 billion (using Navy cost estimates) or roughly $54 billion (using CBO cost estimates). The Navy wants to acquire a total of up to 60 LCSs at a potential cost of up to $14 billion or perhaps more. The Navy's proposals raise oversight issues for Congress concerning the surface combatant force-structure goal; mission requirements for the DD(X) and LCS; whether the DD(X) and the LCS represent the best approach for satisfying these mission requirements; the Navy's proposed acquisition strategies for the DD(X) and LCS; the potential affordability of the DD(X) and LCS programs; and the potential industrial-base implications of the DD(X) and LCS programs. Views developed on these issues can influence decisions on the DD(X) and LCS programs.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Navy DD(X) and LCS Ship Acquisition Programs: Oversight Issues and Options for Congress


    Contributors:
    R. O'Rourke (author)

    Publication date :

    2004


    Size :

    110 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English