the Nimitz class carriers. The Nimitz was funded in fiscal years 1967 at an estimated cost of $427.5 million and the current estimated cost is $544.2 million. The Nimitz and the recommended ship will be 1,088 feet long with an overall beam of 252 feet and have a displacement (combat load) of 94,400 tons. It will have two nuclear reactors with a core life of 13 years, a crew of 6,280 (including the air wing), and will carry 3,000 tons of aviation ordnance and 3.7 million tons of aviation fuel. The recommended ship will be completed in 1974. These carriers are being built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company under a multiship contract calling for the construction of three identical ships. However, the committee desires to make it clear that no funds are recommended that are associated with the third ship under this contract. Nuclear propulsion spares for Nimitz class carriers.-$48 million is recommended for the procurement of nuclear propulsion spares for Nimitz class aircraft carriers. In view of the unique character of the various components of the Nimitz class nuclear propulsion systems, it is mandatory that essential required spares be produced along with the initial equipment for these ships. Attack submarines (Nuclear) SSN.-$504.5 million is recommended for the construction of three of the new class high-speed nuclear-powered attack submarines. The sum recommended and $31.5 million advance procurement provided in fiscal 1969 will provide $536 million for the construction of these three submarines-$230.6 million for the lead submarine and $152.7 million each for the second and third submarines. This new class-the SSN 688 class-of attack submarines will in addition to high-speed capability, have an improved sensor system, improved acoustic countermeasures, an advanced fire control system, a central computer complex, improved navigation capabilities, and an advanced electronic countermeasures receiver. Attack submarines (nuclear) SSN, advance procurement.-$90 million is recommended for advance procurement for the support of the planned fiscal 1971 nuclear attack submarine construction program. Guided missile frigate (nuclear) DXGN.-$196 million is recommended for the construction of one nuclear-powered guided missile frigate (DXGN) of a new class. The sum recommended and advance procurement of $26 million provided in fiscal year 1969 will provide a total of $222 million for the construction of this ship. Currently approved plans call for the construction of four of these ships. These ships will be equipped with improved sensors and weapons systems which will provide earlier warning, reduced reaction time and improved coordination and control over those installed on earlier nuclear frigates. For this reason, and the advantages of nuclear propulsion, this new class of ship will be well suited for deployment either as an escort for nuclear attack carriers or for independent missions. This ship is expected to be completed early in fiscal year 1975. Guided missile frigate (nuclear) DXGN, advance procurement.— $77.9 million is recommended for advance procurement to support the fiscal years 1971, 1972, and 1973 construction of the new class nuclearpowered guided missile frigates. DD-963 destroyer.-$317.7 million is recommended for the initiation of construction of the new DD-963 destroyer class (formerly referred as the DX). The sum recommended and $25 million advance procurement provided in fiscal year 1969 will provide a total of $342.7 million for the construction of the first five of these new class destroyers. The estimated cost of the first ship is $101.2 million and the next four will average approximately $60.4 million each. This new class of destroyer will be a replacement for a substanital number of the older World War II destroyers which are approaching the end of their useful life. They will be considerably heavier than existing destroyers and will be fast enough to support attack aircraft carriers. They will be equipped with guns for shore bombardment missions and a missile system for close-in air defense and the latest in antisubmarine warfare equipment. DD-963 destroyer, advance procurement.-$17.6 million is recommended for advance procurement to support the planned fiscal 1971 DD-963 destroyer construction program. Guided missile frigate (DLG) conversion, advance procurement.-$19 million is recommended for advance procurement to support the fiscal year 1971 conversion program of guided missile frigates. The recommended funds and $20 million available from fiscal year 1969 will provide a total of $39 million for the conversion of four of these ships in fiscal 1971. Guided missile frigate (DLG) conversion.-$24 million is recommended for the conversion of the missile system on one guided missile frigate (DLG). The sum recommended and advance procurement of $15 million provided in fiscal year 1969 will provide a total of $39 million for the conversion of this ship. The purpose of this conversion is to replace the old "beam-rider" Terrier missile system with the improved "homing" Terrier missile system. AMPHIBIOUS SHIPS The recommended program includes $287.7 million for the activity entitled, "Amphibious Ships." This activity provides for the construction and conversion of ships capable of transporting and landing troops, equipment, and supplies in amphibious operations. The recommended program for this activity includes the following: General purpose assault ship (LHA).-$270.7 million is recommended for the general purpose assault ship (LHA). The sum recommended and advance procurement of $17 million provided in fiscal 1969 will provide a total of $287.7 million for the construction of two of these ships. These ships will be 820 feet long, with a beam of 106 feet. They will have a displacement of 39,300 tons. The mission of these ships is to transport and land troops and their essential combat equipment and supplies by means of embarked helicopters, amphibious craft, and amphibian vehicles in an amphibious assault. General purpose assault ship (LHA), advance procurement.-$17 million is recommended for advance procurement for the support of the planned fiscal 1971 construction of two of these ships. MINE WARFARE AND PATROL SHIPS The recommended program includes $43.7 million for the activity entitled, "Mine Warfare and Patrol Ships." This activity provides for the construction and conversion of ships with minesweeping capability, and for the procurement of small, fast gunboats to support counter-insurgency operations. Each of the ships included in the recommended program is discussed below. Ocean minesweeper (MSO), conversions.-$40.7 million is recommended for the conversion of ocean minesweepers. The sum recommended and $7.2 million advance procurement provided in fiscal 1969 will provide a total of $47.9 million for the conversion of 10 of these ships. These conversions will provide for new engines, installation of the AN/SQQ 14 variable depth, minehunting sonar; installation of updated communications equipment; and minor habitability improve ments. 100-Foot motor gunboat (PGM).—$1.1 million is recommended for the procurement of two 100-foot motor gunboats. These two boats are for the South Vietnamese Navy. They are designed to engage in antishipping and small craft actions and to support troops in shallow, coastal, or restricted waters. They are capable of performing counterinsurgency, patrol, blockade, and reconnaissance missions. Submarine Chaser (PC), Cost Sharing.-$1.9 million is recommended for the Navy's share of the cost of a submarine chaser for one of the Free World Forces countries. The total estimated cost of this boat is $3.8 million. AUXILIARIES AND CRAFT The recommended program includes $249.4 million for the activity entitled, "Auxiliaries and Craft." This activity provides for the construction and conversion of auxiliary ships capable of performing a variety of missions in the support of major fleet warships and the transportation of cargo. Funds are also included for the procurement of various service and landing craft. In addition this activity includes funds for outfitting material, post delivery requirements, and claims and other cost increases for ships funded in prior years. Each of the projects and programs funded in this activity is discussed below. Landing craft.-$7.6 million is recommended for the procurement and construction of various types of landing craft. The recommended program includes the following: $2.7 million for the procurement of 40 LCM-6 craft, each of which lands payloads of 30 tons and may be carried on board several of the amphibious type ships: $0.3 million for the procurement of two LCM-8 landing craft, which have a heavy landing capability, for transfer to the South Vietnamese Navy: $2.9 million for the procurement of two LCU landing craft, which have the capability to land large numbers of vehicles and nearly 200 tons of heavy equipment and are carried in amphibious well-deck ship types: and $1.7 million for the procurement of 31 LCPL landing craft control and personnel boats, which are also used for patrol operations. Outfitting material.-$51.7 million is recommended for "outfitting material" for ships funded in prior fiscal years. This program provides for the procurement of all Government-furnished onboard repair parts, other secondary items, equipage, and general use consumables as defined in the ship's initial allowance. The following are illustrative of some of the major items included in the recommended program: 36 destroyer escorts (DE) funded in fiscal year 1964, 1965, and 1966, $16.1 million; 12 nuclear attack submarines funded in fiscal years 1965 and 1966, $3.9 million; 5 amphibious transport docks (LPD) funded in fiscal years 1964 and 1965, $1.9 million; and one attack aircraft carrier conversion funded in fiscal year 1966, $1.5 million. Post delivery charges.-$23.1 million is recommended for post delivery charges. These funds provide for all work, including related design, planning, and Government furnished material required for the correction of defects and deficiencies indicated during the acceptance or underway trials or during the shakedown period for new ships. Claims and other cost increases.-$167 million is recommended to cover claims and other cost increases that are expected to mature during fiscal year 1970 on ships funded in prior fiscal years. During fiscal year 1969 there were a number of adjustments made in the "Shipbuilding and conversion" appropriation, including the cancellation of some ships, in order to obtain $182.7 million to cover claims and cost increases that matured during that fiscal year. On June 12, 1969 the Secretary of Defense advised the committee: The total deficit in the shipbuilding program, computed on a cost-to-completion basis for all ships approved and funded, is now estimated at $600 million to $700 million. About $138 million of this total is expected to mature before June 30, 1969, another $167 million in fiscal year 1970, and the balance some time after June 30, 1970. (Department of Defense hearings, fiscal year 1970, part 1, page 122.) The ships involved in the fiscal year 1970 claims and cost increases are set out in the following tabulation: SHIPBUILDING AND CONVERSION, NAVY-CLAIMS AND OTHER COSTS INCREASES, FISCAL YEAR 1970 OTHER PROCUREMENT, NAVY 1969 appropriation___. Senate committee recommendation_. $2,505, 600, 000 2,271, 000, 000 2,022, 700, 000 1, 461, 800, 000 1, 524, 600, 000 The committee recommends an appropriation of $1,524,600,000 for, this appropriation. The sum recommended is a reduction of $498,100,000 in the revised estimate, an increase of $62,800,000 in the House allowance, and a reduction of $981 million below the appropriation for fiscal year 1969. The committee recommends concurrence in the following House reductions: Ships support equipment_--_- Civil engineering support equipment_ Personnel and command support equipment--- Total Amount 46, 400, 000 70, 900, 000 134, 800, 000 60, 400, 000 2,300,000 5,900, 000 320, 700, 000 Ordnance support equipment.-The House made a reduction of $240,200,000 in the budget activity entitled, "Ordnance support equipment," of which $75,700,000 was applied to the request of $174,200,000 for the two versions of the Mark-48 torpedo. The committee recommends restoration of $27,800,000 of this reduction. This action represents a reduction of $212,400,000 in the revised budget estimate. Polaris submarine overhaul.-The committee has recommended the overhaul of four Polaris submarines in lieu of conversion as requested in the revised budget. This matter is discussed on page 7 of this report. The committee recommends an increase of $40 million in this appropriation to cover that portion of the cost of these four overhauls that is funded under this appropriation. The action represents an increase of $40 million in the revised budget estimate. Communications and electronics.-As indicated above the committee has recommended concurrence in the House reduction of $70,900,000 in the budget activity entitled, "Communications and electronics." The committee recommends a further reduction of $5 million in this budget activity. The recommended appropriation of $1,524,600,000 plus $333,693,000 estimated to be available from other sources will provide a total program of $1,858,293,000. PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES The budget programs and activities included in this apropriation are discussed below. The sums referred to are intended to reflect the magnitude of the various programs and activities and are not to be considered as specific recommendations. |