DoD FY 2018 Navy ship and submarine modernization & procurement funding

News

June 30, 2017

This funding request is detailed in the DoD’s “Program Acquisition Cost by Weapons System” booklet, which details programs that have been designated as Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs). Of the Trump Administration’s $208.6 billion FY 2018 budget request, $94.9 billion, or 46 percent is designated for key MDAP programs.

The shipbuilding portfolio for FY 2018 includes funding for the construction of 12 ships (two SSN 774 Virginia Class nuclear attack submarines; one CVN 78 Gerald R. Ford Class aircraft carrier; two DDG 51 Arleigh Burke Class destroyers; one Littoral Combat Ships (LCS); one Fleet Replenishment Oiler; one Towing, Salvage, and Rescue (TATS(X) ship; one Landing Craft, and three Ship to Shore Connectors and the second year of incremental construction funding for one Amphibious Assault ship, USS Bougainville (LHA 8). In addition, the FY 2018 request has funding for advance procurement to support detail design activities and long lead items for the Columbia Class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) and long lead item for the refueling and complex overhaul of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Program highlights are below. To read the entire booklet, click here.

The CVN 78 Gerald R. Ford class ships will include new technologies and improvements to improve efficiency and operating costs as well as reduced crew requirements. These ships will be the premier forward asset for crisis response and early decisive striking power in a major combat operation. The FY 2018 program funds the first year of construction costs for USS Enterprise (CVN 80); the final year of construction costs for USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), outfitting, training, and continued development of ship systems. FY 2018 funding requested is $4.638 billion up from $2.791 billion in the FY 2017 request.

The DDG 51 Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface, and subsurface environments. The FY 2018 program calls for funding two Flight III DDG 51 class destroyers as part of a multiyear procurement for ten ships from FY 2018 – FY 2022, outfitting costs, and continued development of ship systems. FY 2018 funding requested is $4.013 billion up from $3.498 billion in the FY 2017 request.

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a small surface combatant capable of operations close to shore. The FY 2018 program funds construction of one LCS seaframe, outfitting, trainers, and development costs for a new class of small surface combatant. FY 2018 funding requested is $1.152 billion down from $1.598 billion in the FY 2017 request.

The Virginia Class Submarine is a multi-mission nuclear-powered attack submarine. The FY 2018 program calls for funding two ships as part of a multiyear procurement contract, advance procurement for two ships in future years, and outfitting and support equipment. It also continues funding the development of the Virginia Payload Module, technology, prototype components, and systems engineering required for design and construction. FY 2018 funding requested is $5.546 billion up from $5.322 billion in the FY 2017 request.

The Columbia Class Ballistic Missile Submarine is designed to replace the current Ohio class of Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN). The FY 2018 program funds advance procurement for long-lead items, detail design, and research and development of nuclear technologies and ship systems such as the propulsion system, combat systems technology, and the common missile compartment. FY 2018 funding requested is $1.884 billion up from $1.864 billion in the FY 2017 request.

USS America class ships are large-deck, amphibious assault ships designed to land and support ground forces. The FY 2018 program continues construction funding of LHA 8, outfitting costs, and continuing research and development efforts. FY 2018 funding requested is $1.748 billion up from $1.648 billion in the FY 2017 request.