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| Image: Wiki Commons |
By Franz-Stefan Gady
A contract for one of the U.S. Navy’s most expensive shipbuilding programs could be awarded by the end of 2016.
The U.S. Department of Defense approved the request for proposals (RFP) for the design of the U.S. Navy’s Ohio-class Replacement Program, USNI News reports. The U.S. Navy has initiated an Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) replacement program in 2007 to guarantee the existence of an adequate sea-based strategic nuclear force in the future, given that its 14 Ohio-class SSBNs will be decommissioned at a rate of one per year starting in 2027.
“On Dec 21, the Navy sought Defense Acquisition Executive authorization to proceed with release of the Integrated Product and Process Development Request for Proposal for the Ohio Replacement program,” Pentagon spokeswoman Maureen Schumann toldUSNI News this week.
Initial design and prototyping phases have been completed by the prime contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat. Schumann added:
At the DAB, [Pentagon acquisition chief Frank] Kendall reviewed the status of technology development, program schedule, the execution of the current contract and the Ohio Replacement acquisition strategy, and approved the release of the Development RFP. (…) The contract will produce the diagrams, drawings and information necessary to design, build, test and operate a submarine, enabling the shipbuilder(s) to start construction in 2021.
Read the full story at The Diplomat