By Geoff Fein
Now is the time for the Navy to begin investing in research and development to build the replacement for the current Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), according to the service’s top submarine commander.
The timing is essential if the Navy plans to buy a new ballistic missile submarine before 2020, Vice Adm. John Donnelly, commander, submarine force, told attendees yesterday at the annual Naval Submarine League symposium in McLean, Va.
“It is necessary to properly support a 2019 lead ship procurement,” he said.
The cost, return on development, and survival of the SSBN replacement requires that the Navy fund research and development today to ensure that the nation maintains its continuous and current capability, Donnelly added.
The Navy also continues to support the United Kingdom, and looks to leverage that country’s resources as the Royal Navy moves ahead on a similar effort to recapitalize its SSBNs, he added.
The requirement to maintain a SSBN force will continue, Donnelly said. That was proven out when all of the analysis of alternatives options the Navy considered pointed to submarines he added.
Additionally, Donnelly noted that Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead is chairing a meeting for a gate two review today for the Sea Based Strategic Deterrent.
While the Navy is working hard to design and build the future fleet, the service is also modernizing and maintaining the submarine force, he said.
“Our vision in the future is that all boats will have the same basic tactical systems–communications, sonar, and fire control,” Donnelly said.
The Common Radio Room (CRR) is a great of example of that, he added.
“The training and technology across all the submarine hull forms and logistics support will help lower life cycle costs,” Donnelly said.
And CRR will also enable easier training and qualification, he added.
“It provides better integration of our communications systems into the fire control and sonar systems,” Donnelly said. “All Virginia-class, all Seawolf and all SSGNs have the common submarine radio room.”
The last two SSBNs will receive their installs at the end of second quarter FY ’11, he added.