By Geoff Fein
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead has tasked Rear Adm Frank Pandolfe, director, surface warfare division (N86), to draw up a plan and timeline describing how N86 will establish a “whole warfighting perspective on the future surface force,” to include surface combatants, amphibious ships, and support ships.
“Today’s surface force is more capable and in greater demand than ever before, yet our fleet capacity remains challenged. As we have discussed, the fiscal environment demands that every dollar invested in building the Navy of tomorrow be spent effectively. As we introduce new ship classes, restart proven production lines, and modernize our existing fleet, we must concentrate on the whole ship,” Roughead said in his Aug. 3 memo, which was obtained by Defense Daily.
“Operational concepts should inform design and integration of ship hull, weapons and communication systems, mission modules, manning and training plans, and infrastructure requirements. We must understand how these factors, individually, and as a whole, impact lifecycle costs of our surface fleet,” Roughead said.
According to the memo signed by both Roughead and Vice Adm. Barry McCullough, deputy CNO of integration of capabilities and resources (N8), within 30 days, Pandolfe should present his plan specifically addressing how he will accomplish:
- An end-to-end assessment of each surface ship class in production, starting with the Littoral Combat Ship and restart of the DDG-51 class, across all aspects of doctrine, organization, training, material, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities to ensure alignment among operational concepts, afloat and ashore requirements, and acquisition decisions, validate assumptions underlying each of these factors are still relevant to how we operate today. Given assessment results, identify decisions senior leadership must make and recommend a timeline and process for obtaining these decisions.
- Identify total ownership costs for each surface ship class in production, starting with the Littoral Combat Ship and restart of the DDG-51 class, to include costs related to research and development, procurement, manpower, operations, sustainment, and disposal. Recommend where Navy could reduce total ownership costs without compromising on warfighting effectiveness.
- Articulate how Navy requirements officers can best participate in and/or support requirements and acquisition oversight processes, including Resources, Requirements Review Board and the 2-Pass/6-Gate Review, to ensure decisions related to surface ship procurement are properly vetted and total ownership costs are well understood.
U.S. Fleet Forces Command, along with DCNO Manpower & Personnel (N1), Director of Naval Intelligence (N2), DCNO Plans, Policy & Operations (N3/N5), DNCO Fleet Readiness & Logistics (N4), and DCNO Communications Networks (N6) are to assist to Pandolfe to develop and execute his plan, according to Roughead’s memo.