Navy Ships: Status of SSN-21 Design and Lead Ship Construction Program
NSIAD-93-34
Published: Nov 17, 1992. Publicly Released: Nov 25, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Navy's Seawolf Nuclear Attack Submarine construction program, focusing on the: (1) status of the Seawolf's design; (2) status of major subsystem development efforts and their potential impact on the construction program; (3) cost, schedule, and performance status of the construction program; and (4) Seawolf's impact on the nuclear-powered attack submarine force and the U.S. submarine shipbuilding industrial base.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
Matter | Status | Comments |
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If Congress decides to continue with more than one SSN-21 class submarine, it may wish to consider restricting the use of funds already appropriated for the second and third submarines. Further, Congress may wish to delay funding additional submarines until the design has stabilized and planned modifications to the MK-48 advanced capability torpedo's propulsion system and the AN/BSY-2 combat system development efforts have matured. |
Closed – Not Implemented
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Contract for SSN-22 was awarded. No request for SSN-21 class submarine funding was included in the FY 93 budget or planned for FY 94 budget. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
---|---|---|
Department of Defense | If Congress decides not to approve the administration's request to rescind funds appropriated for construction of follow-on SSN-21s, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Navy to provide Congress an assessment of the effect that problems in the lead ship design and construction and in subsystem and weapons system development will have on the cost, schedule, and performance of the follow-on SSN-21. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The contract for SSN-22 was awarded. No funds were requested for SSN-21 class submarines in the FY 1993 budget or planned for in the FY 1994 budget.
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Topics
Construction contractsConstruction costsContract administrationCost overrunsNaval procurementNuclear armed submarinesNuclear powered submarinesShipbuilding industryWeapons systemsSocial security numbers