DOD Seeks 'Alternative Concepts' To Cut Cost Of New Nuclear Subs

Inside Defense ^ | 6/04/2010 | Christopher J. Castelli

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The Defense Department is seeking "alternative concepts" to cut the huge cost of acquiring new submarines armed with nuclear ballistic missiles that would patrol the world's oceans for decades to come, according to DOD's No. 2 policy official. Defense Secretary Robert Gates questioned the program's affordability last month, days before launching a broad push to find savings across the department. The new SSBN(X) subs would replace the existing Ohio-class boomers that DOD considers the most survivable leg of the nuclear triad.

The Navy estimates the lead SSBN(X), slated for purchase in 2019, would cost $9 billion, and a dozen would cost $86 billion. But the Congressional Budget Office projects the first sub would cost $13 billion, and a dozen would cost $99 billion, not including $10 billion to $15 billion for research and development.

DOD is “looking at all aspects of the program,” James Miller, the No. 2 official in the Pentagon's policy shop, said today during a lunch with reporters. With the fiscal year 2012 budget cycle under way, it is time to “make some initial decisions about SSBN(X),” he said. “I think the signal from the secretary of defense, consistent with his recent speech -- and the follow-on activity that's under way now -- about various types of efficiencies, is that nothing escapes a hard look and SSBN(X) is getting that hard look,” Miller said.

He noted questions about how many missile tubes each sub should have and how much should be spent to make the subs stealthy. But adjustments in those areas, even if they save hundreds of millions of dollars per sub -- which is “not chump change” -- are unlikely to take a big bite out of the cost of the multibillion-dollar boats, he said.

[bunkerhill7]

North Koreans have some El Cheapos for sale, combat-tested too.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

LOL

[cpdiii]

The Navy estimates the lead SSBN(X), slated for purchase in 2019, would cost $9 billion, and a dozen would cost $86 billion. But the Congressional Budget Office projects the first sub would cost $13 billion, and a dozen would cost $99 billion, not including $10 billion to $15 billion for research and development.

A weapons system that has the ability to reach out from the deep ocean and destroy any enemy that attacks us is worth 396 dollars per citizen of the United States. These subs can do this even if the United States is utterly and totally destroyed. They are the doomsday weapon to our enemies. They are the weapon to be used as a last resort. Our enemies know this. Unless they are stark raving insane they will not start a nuclear war with us as long as this harbinger of annihilation prowls the oceans.

[Pollster1]

A weapons system that has the ability to reach out from the deep ocean and destroy any enemy. . . .

Keep in mind that this only works against foreign enemies. We still have to contend with domestic enemies, and America today faces the most dangerous enemy in our country's history. We need to make teaching American children (not just our own children but also children from our communities) to value freedom a much higher priority, and we need more patriotic Americans teaching in public schools. The alternative, whether Sharia or communism, will not be pretty.

[NavxWife]

Yes our subs are worth it to the american people and the safty of our county BUT SSBN(X) Is not a must in our naval force to continue to keep it safe. the Multi-billion dollars we are spending is simply to make the womens rights activist happy. i am a woman married to the militar for some time....and the reason they added the X is because they are having to spend billions and billions of dollars to make the submarines sutable for both MEN and WOMEN sense the showers and birthing areas are NOT Sutable for both sexes...simply to integrate women into this fleet is a waste of the tax payers money at this point of our economy and wo be it to any woman who puts her EGO above the betterment of the country should NOT call herself a sailor!!! But selfish. IF only we had BILLIONS to spend on the children who NEED healthcare or the poor, or homeless or the poverty stricken society. spend the money or promoting more effciant cars or heating/ solar power for homes.but NO we are willing to fork out BILLIONS just to make a few women happy that THEY can say they are equal. if all they care about is their OWN AGENDA They are not who i want fighting for our contry or MY freedom...or the SAKE of my children and the economy they will have to die trying to save.