President's Budget SND Quadrennial Defense Review Recognize Increasing Role Of Submarines

Press Release

President's Budget Snd Quadrennial Defense Review Recognize Increasing Role Of Submarines

Today during a press conference call with reporters, Congressman Joe Courtney welcomed President Obama's proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Department of Defense budget request, which upholds the Connecticut lawmaker's effort to begin building two submarines per year beginning this coming October.

The budget includes $5.4 billion in funding for the Virginia-class attack submarine program, including $3.4 billion to build two submarines in 2011, and advanced funding to prepare to build two each in 2012 and 2013. This is the first time since the late-1980s that two submarines were funded in the same budget, when Electric Boat was building Los Angeles class submarines.

"Since entering Congress, I have fought to increase submarine production in order to ensure that we meet the needs of our nation's security both now and in the future," Courtney said. "I am proud that the President's budget reflects this effort and provides the funding necessary to build two submarines a year starting in 2011. In a tight budget environment, this is a clear reflection not only of the tremendous job that the Electric Boat workforce has done in delivering new submarines ahead of schedule and below budget, but the central role that submarines will continue to play in our overall defense strategy."

In 2007, Congressman Courtney secured $588 million in advanced procurement funding to increase submarine production to two a year starting in 2011, rather than 2012 as then planned by the Navy. Although the Virginia class submarine program was originally slated to ramp up to two a year in 2002, that milestone was pushed further into the future by successive budgets, eventually settling at 2012 before Congressman Courtney's successful efforts to reverse that trend.

The budget also includes significant investment in the next generation of SSBN submarines, which are being designed by Electric Boat. The program will begin the replacement of the aging Ohio-class submarines.

"The SSBN is, and will continue to be, a central element of our nation's strategic deterrent policy," said Courtney. "Electric Boat designers and engineers are already hard at work developing the replacement of our aging fleet of Ohio-class SSBNs, leveraging their decades of skill and experience into this new submarine. There are many challenges head for this critical program, and I will continue to work closely with key leaders in Congress and the Navy to advocate for it."

The Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) was also released Monday with the budget. Click here to download final QDR. The (QDR) is completed at the start of every new administration and provides the overall framework for the national security and defense budgeting priorities for the next four years. The QDR release today reflects the central role the attack submarine plays in our national security.

The QDR continues to reflect the growing investment in military development in China and other nations, especially in the realm of submarines.

"As part of its long-term, comprehensive military modernization, China is developing and fielding large numbers of advanced medium-range ballistic and cruise missiles, new attack submarines equipped with advanced weapons, increasingly capable long-range air defense systems, electronic warfare and computer network attack capabilities, advanced fighter aircraft, and counter-space systems. China has shared only limited information about the pace, scope, and ultimate aims of its military modernization programs, raising a number of legitimate questions regarding its long term intentions."

"U.S. power projection forces also confront growing threats in other domains. In recent years, a number of states have acquired sophisticated anti-ship cruise missiles, quiet submarines, advanced mines, and other systems that threaten naval operations. In addition to these weapons, Iran has fielded large numbers of small, fast attack craft designed to support "swarming" tactics that seem to overwhelm the layers of defenses deployed by U.S. and other nations' naval vessels."

The QDR also recognizes the possibility that Virginia class submarines can play new and unique roles in future joint military operations. For example, the QDR indicates that the Navy is investigating the use of submarines for long-range strike needs, which would greatly enhance the submarine's already critical role in meeting front line security needs.

"Expand future long-range strike capabilities. Enhanced long-range strike capabilities are one means of countering growing threats to forward-deployed forces and bases and ensuring U.S. power projection capabilities. Building on insights developed during the QDR, the Secretary of Defense has ordered a follow-on study to determine what combination of joint persistent surveillance, electronic warfare, and precision-attack capabilities, including both penetrating platforms and stand-off weapons, will best support U.S. power projection operations over the next two to three decades. Findings from that study will inform decisions that shape the FY 2012-17 defense program. A number of related efforts are underway. The Navy is investigating options for expanding the capacity of future Virginia-class attack submarines for long-range strike."

"It is also slated to conduct field experiments with prototype versions of a naval unmanned combat aerial system (N-UCAS). The N-UCAS offers the potential to greatly increase the range of ISR and strike operations from the Navy's carrier fleet. The Air Force is reviewing options for fielding survivable, long-range surveillance and strike aircraft as part of a comprehensive, phased plan to modernize the bomber force. The Navy and the Air Force are cooperatively assessing alternatives for a new joint cruise missile. The Department also plans to experiment with conventional prompt global strike prototypes."

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