Navy Carrier Battle Groups: The Structure and Affordability of the Future Force
NSIAD-93-74
Published: Feb 25, 1993. Publicly Released: Feb 25, 1993.
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Highlights
GAO provided information on policy considerations, future requirements, and force structure of carrier battle groups, focusing on: (1) the size and makeup of future naval carrier forces in response to reduced defense spending; and (2) alternatives for meeting national security requirements with fewer carriers.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| In the context of the agreement on the size and affordability of the carrier force, Congress should consider the extent the other, less costly force options could satisfy many national security needs and reduce the requirements for carrier battle groups before approving full funding for the new nuclear carrier in the planned FY 1995 request. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Congress provided full funding for construction of the CVN-76 nuclear aircraft carrier in the Fiscal Year 1995 National Defense Appropriations Act. |
| Congress and the Department of Defense should reach early agreement on the size and affordability of the carrier force needed to meet future national defense requirements. Reaching such an agreement during deliberations on the fiscal year (FY) 1994 budget submission is important because the number of carriers and their role in the new security environment directly affect: (1) the Navy's plans to acquire carriers, surface combatants, attack submarines, and combat logistics ships; and (2) the affordability of developing and procuring a full complement of costly new tactical aircraft. |
Closed – Implemented
|
Congress delayed several force level decisions until the fiscal year 1995 budget to permit DOD to issue its Bottom Up Review. It appears that Congress will appropriate funding in the fiscal year 1995 budget to build the CVN-76 nuclear carrier and maintain DOD's planned force level of 12 carriers. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | Congress and the Department of Defense (DOD) should reach early agreement on the size and affordability of the carrier force needed to meet future national defense requirements. Reaching such an agreement during deliberations on the fiscal year (FY) 1994 budget submission is important because the number of carriers and their role in the new security environment directly affect: (1) the Navy's plans to acquire carriers, surface combatants, attack submarines, and combat logistics ships; and (2) the affordability of developing and procuring a full complement of costly new tactical aircraft. |
Closed – Implemented
Congress delayed several force level decisions until the fiscal year 1995 budget to permit DOD to issue its Bottom Up Review. It appears that Congress will appropriate funds in the fiscal year 1995 budget to build the CVN-76 nuclear carrier and maintain DOD's planned force level of 12 carriers (11 active and 1 reserve).
|
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Topics
Weapons systemsCombat readinessDefense capabilitiesDefense contingency planningDefense cost controlIndustrial mobilizationNaval aircraftNaval procurementNaval warfareStrategic mobility forces