Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress
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Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress Ronald O'Rourke Specialist in Naval Affairs December 23, 2009 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL32109 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress Summary Consistent with a proposal announced by the Navy in July 2008, the Administration’s FY2010 defense budget proposed ending procurement of DDG-1000 (Zumwalt) class destroyers with the third ship, which was authorized and partially funded in FY2009, and restarting procurement DDG-51 (Arleigh Burke) class Aegis destroyers, which were last procured in FY2005. The proposed FY2010 defense budget requested procurement funding to complete the cost of the third DDG-1000 and to procure one DDG-51, and advance procurement funding for two more DDG- 51s that the Navy wants to procure in FY2011. The Navy’s plans for destroyer procurement in FY2012 and beyond have been unclear. The Navy since July 2008 has spoken on several occasions about a desire to build a total of 11 or 12 DDG- 51s between FY2010 and FY2015, but the Navy also testified to the Seapower subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee on June 16, 2009, that it is conducting a study on destroyer procurement options for FY2012 and beyond that is examining design options based on either the DDG-51 or DDG-1000 hull form. A January 2009 memorandum from the Department of Defense acquisition executive called for such a study. A November 2009 press report stated that the study was begun in late Spring 2009, that it was nearing completion, that it examined options for equipping the DDG-51 and DDG-1000 designs with an improved radar, and that preliminary findings from the study began to be briefed to “key parties on Capitol Hill and in industry” in October 2009. On December 7, 2009, it was reported that the Navy wants to cancel its planned CG(X) cruiser and instead procure an improved version of the Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class Aegis destroyer. The improved DDG-51 that the Navy reportedly now wants to procure would be considerably less expensive to procure than the CG(X). The improved DDG-51 would have more AAW and BMD capability than the current DDG-51 design, but less AAW and BMD capability than what was envisioned for the CG(X). Potential issues for Congress arising from the Navy’s reported new plan include the following: • Is there an adequate analytical basis for canceling the CG(X) and instead procuring improved DDG-51s? Should an analysis of alternatives (AOA) or the equivalent of an AOA be performed before committing to this course of action? • Is there adequate stability in Navy planning for acquisition of surface combatants? • Would an improved DDG-51 be an adequate substitute for the CG(X)? • What would be the potential operational implications of a Navy equipped with improved DDG-51s instead of CG(X)s? • What would be the potential industrial-base consequences of canceling the CG(X) and instead procuring improved DDG-51s? • What would be some potential alternatives to canceling the CG(X) and instead procuring improved DDG-51s? Congressional Research Service Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................1 Background ................................................................................................................................2 Navy Destroyer and Cruiser Acquisition Programs ................................................................2 DDG-51 Program............................................................................................................2 DDG-1000 Program........................................................................................................4 CG(X) Program ..............................................................................................................6 Shifts in Navy Destroyer and Cruiser Acquisition Plans.........................................................9 Rationale for 2008-2009 Shift in Destroyer Procurement Plans........................................9 Study of Destroyer Procurement Options for FY2012 and Beyond ................................12 Reported Plan to Stop CG(X) in Favor of Procuring Improved DDG-51s ......................15 Surface Combatant Construction Industrial Base .................................................................18 Shipyards......................................................................................................................18 Combat System Manufacturers......................................................................................18 Supplier Firms ..............................................................................................................18 FY2010 Funding Request....................................................................................................18 DDG-51 Program..........................................................................................................18 DDG-1000 Program......................................................................................................19 CG(X) Program ............................................................................................................19 Issues for Congress ...................................................................................................................19 Analytical Basis for Canceling CG(X) in Favor of Improved DDG-51s ...............................20 Stability in Navy Surface Combatant Acquisition Planning..................................................21 Adequacy of Improved DDG-51 as Substitute for CG(X)....................................................22 Potential Operational Implications.......................................................................................23 Potential Industrial-Base Consequences ..............................................................................24 Radar and Combat System Makers................................................................................24 Shipyards......................................................................................................................24 Nuclear Propulsion Component Manufacturers..............................................................24 Potential Alternatives to Reported Navy Plan ......................................................................25 Continue CG(X) program..............................................................................................25 Procure a More Highly Modified DDG-51 ....................................................................25 Procure a Modified DDG-1000 .....................................................................................25 Procure a Cost-Constrained New-Design Destroyer.......................................................25 Backfit Existing DDG-51s with Improved Radars .........................................................27 FY2010 Legislative Activity .....................................................................................................27 Summary of Action on Funding Request .............................................................................27 FY2010 Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2647/P.L. 111-84) ...............................................28 House ...........................................................................................................................28 Senate...........................................................................................................................28 Conference....................................................................................................................32 FY2010 DOD Appropriations Act (H.R. 3326/P.L. 111-118)................................................34 House ...........................................................................................................................34 Senate...........................................................................................................................34 Final Version.................................................................................................................35 Congressional Research Service Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress Figures Figure D-1. Near-Surface Bow Bulb Design for DDG-51 ..........................................................59 Tables Table 1. [In Navy letter to Congress] Acquisition Costs for DDG-51s and Modified DDG- 1000s.....................................................................................................................................10 Table 2. [In Navy Letter to Congress] Annual O & S Costs for a DDG-51 and a Modified DDG-1000............................................................................................................................. 11 Table 3. Possible Approach for a Cost-Constrained New-Design Destroyer ...............................26 Table 4. Summary of Action on FY2010 Funding Request.........................................................27 Table C-1. DDG-1000 Capabilities Relative to DDG-51 Capabilities.........................................50 Table D-1. DDG-1000 and DDG-51 Annual O&S Costs............................................................60 Table D-2. 1997 Navy Information on DDG-51