Marine Log - March 2008 - (Page 22)

NAVYSHIPBUILDING extension upgrades. The FY 2009 budget includes funding for the long lead-time procurements for the backfit modernization of three DDGs in FY 2011. The DDG-51 modernization plan is, in fact, likely to prove crucial to the Navy’s 30-year goal of achieving a 313-ship Navy. The budget provides for procurement of two Auxiliary Cargo and Ammunition ICE CLASS TANKERS Ships (T-AKE) in the National Defense Sealift Fund (NDSF). They will be the eleventh and twelfth ships of the class. The NDSF budget also continues funding for the development of future sea basing ships. The Maritime Prepositioning Force (Future) (MPF(F)) squadron of ships, a central part of the Sea Base operational concept, leverages current designs and production lines where possible, such as modified Large, Medium Speed RollOn/Roll-Off (LMSR) ships and LHA(R) ships. The FY 2009 budget includes advance procurement funds for the MPF Aviation ship. MPF(F) new construction commences in FY 2010 and includes one MPF Aviation ship and one Mobile Landing Platform (MLP). MPF(F) ships will be interoperable with current and planned Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) craft and Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV). The LCAC modernization program continues with a service life extension for six craft in FY 2009. The budget request also includes funding in FY 2009 for one JHSV which will provide COCOMs high-speed intratheater sealift mobility. The budget also provides for the commencement of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Refueling Complex Overhaul in FY 2009. SUBMARINE PROGRAMS The Navy continues the effort to modernize the fleet of SSN, SSGN, and SSBN submarines. Virginia class fast attack submarines are joining the existing fleet of Los Angeles and Seawolf Class submarines and Virginia Class construction continues to be performed under a teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding Company. FY 2008 funded the fifth of five Virginia Class submarines under a multiyear procurement contract awarded in January 2004. A follow-on multiyear procurement will be pursued to continue construction of the class beginning in FY 2009. The proposed contract would increase the Virginia Class build rate to two submarines per year beginning in FY 2011. This budget also annually funds an SSBN Engineered Refueling Overhaul for an Ohio Class submarine throughout the FYDP. THE WISH LIST So, what’s on the wish list that CNO Admiral Gary Roughead submitted just in case Congress can come up with a little more funding? Items numbers one and three are aviation related. But unfunded priority number two is funding the tenth LPD17 while number four is funding the final two T-AKE to accelerate Maritime Prepositioning Force requirements— and leverage the hot production line at NASSCO. ML 22 MARINE LOG MARCH 2008 www.marinelog.com http://www.csdsealingsystems.com http://www.csdsealingsystems.com http://www.marinelog.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Marine Log - March 2008

Marine Log - March 2008 Contents Editorial Second Thoughts Update Inside Washington Navy's Toughest Battle Building Future Fleet Less Fuel, Lower Emissions A New Generation of Mariners Training for the Future LNG Security: Resources Needed Models of Perfection Tech News Newsmakers Contracts Events Infodirect Website Directory ML Marketplace Opinion

Marine Log - March 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.