Fantasy Shipbuilding FYDP

My answer to the previous post. Blast away!

FY10 - 11 ships $11.65 billion + $2 billion CVN = Over budget $.6 billion

1 Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) (1 v .9)
3 LCS (3 x .55)
2 Virginia class (SSN) (2 x 2.0)
1 Joint High Speed Vessel (1 x .2)
2 LPD-17s (2 x 1.7)
1 LCS MMC (GD) (1 x .75)
1 LCS MMC (LM) (1 x .75)

FY11 - 9 ships $12.75 billion + $2 billion CVN = Over budget $1.75 billion

3 LCS (3 x .55)
2 Virginia class (SSN) (2 x 2.0)
1 Joint High Speed Vessel (1 x .2)
1 LHA-5 (1 x 3.5)
2 LPD-17s (2 x 1.7)

FY12 - 15 ships $13.05 billion + $2 billion CVN = Over budget $2.05 billion

1 Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) (1 v .9)
1 Large Medium-Speed Roll-On/Roll-Off (LMSR) (1 x .5)
2 LCS MMC (GD) (2 x .6)
2 LCS MMC (LM) (2 x .6)
2 Virginia class (SSN) (2 x 2.0)
1 Joint High Speed Vessel (1 x .2)
2 LPD-17s (2 x 1.7)
1 CVN78
3 LCS (3 x .55)

FY13 - 12 ships $12.1 billion + $2 billion = Over budget $1.1 billion

1 Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) (1 v .9)
2 Virginia class (SSN) (2 x 2.0)
1 Joint High Speed Vessel (1 x .2)
2 LPD-17s (2 x 1.7)
6 LCS MMC (6 x .6)

FY14 - 13 ships $15.2 billion + $2 billion = Over budget $4.2 billion

1 Large Medium-Speed Roll-On/Roll-Off (LMSR) (1 x .5)
2 Virginia class (SSN) (2 x 2.0)
1 LHA-5 (1 x 3.5)
2 LPD-17s (2 x 1.7)
6 LCS MMC (6 x .6)
1 Joint High Speed Vessel (1 x .2)

I'm over budget by $9.7 billion over 5 years (assuming budget is $13 billion), meaning I'm basically over budget the cost of 1 CVN.

The idea here is to build 1 LPD-17 in FY09, and have 19 by FY14, purchasing towards a force of 8 LHDs, 4 LHAs, 19 LPD-17s, and 8 LSD-41s for a total amphibious force of 39, as it requires 17 ships for 1 MEB. The 4 LSD-49s would be utilized as Naval offshore staging bases, Global Fleet Stations, unmanned systems support platforms, manned systems support vessels, soft power projection, and other naval roles as primary duty but would retain optional amphibious capacity as necessary.

1 ESG = 1 LHD, 3 LPD-17s each
7 ESG = 1 LHD, 2 LPD-17s each
4 ERG = 1 LHA, 2 LSD-41s each

This gives us time to assess the platform requirements for amphibious forces (traditional platforms may not be the way ahead in the future). It has been said the amphibious requirement is 31, if true then all LSDs can be retired without replacement during a time period where money is tight and priority includes large surface combatants and SSBN(X).

Additionally, this plan builds only up to a total of 14 Littoral Combat Ships, but also builds 18 small sixth rate frigates based on the LCS hull. The intent is to provide 14 LCS for the MIW requirement (with other modular options), but have real frigates for other roles to free up destroyers for the larger roles. CG(X) would begin construction in FY15 at BIW.

Essentially this trades large surface combatants and more LCSs for 10 LPD-17s, 18 sixth rates, and only 14 LCS. I also push back 1 JCC replacement, opt for real LHAs instead of civilian LHAs, and keep the lift portion of the Sea Base for at sea transfer (ignoring the aviation component) to support 12 LHDs/LHAs and extra LPD-17s. I also choose to build 1 extra SSN in FY10. A total of 60 ships over 5 years.

I shift as much CG and DDG modernization as possible to Bath, and build as many small combatants as possible at Bath, both of which are industry sustainment directives. I also build parts of LPD-17s at Bath where possible.