Concerning its FY2020 budget, the US Navy proposed to include a $10 billion top line increase, in comparison to the proposed reduction in projected fleet size. The Navy intends to prioritize more up-to-date vessels, retiring the carrier USS Truman two decades early and skipping the planned service life extension for the Ticonderoga-class cruisers.
Specifically, under the proposed budget, the US Navy is expected to have in five years 314 hulls, a dozen more to what was previously expected.
The Navy stated that as the rest of DoD, it aspires to invest in new systems. In light of modern investments, the Navy proposes a $20 billion R&D program, up by 10% over FY19, with new investments in weapons, hypersonics, jamming, unmanned systems, lasers, digital warfare, applied artificial intelligence and analytics.
Moreover, the Navy reported that it hopes to improve its shipbuilding program. The shipbuilding component of the FY2020 request comes to nearly $35 billion, and it is the largest in two decades and includes:
- $2.2 billion for the new Columbia-class Ballistic Missile Submarine;
- $2.6 billion towards the Ford-class carrier program;
- $10.2 billion for three Virginia-class attack submarines;
- $5.8 billion for three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers;
- $1.3 billion for the first new FFG(X) frigate ;
- $1.1 billion for two Fleet Replenishment Oilers;
- $200 million for two salvage tugs;
- $450 million for two large unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).
Yet, the FY2020 request moves far away from the funding for Independence- or Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), in comparison to previous announcements.
The Navy conducts a competition for a better-designed frigate (the FFG(X)), and it intends to phase out further LCS construction.
However, Congress will have the final decision on whether the Navy will stop purchasing Littoral Combat Ships: last year, appropriators ordered three LCS vessels instead of the single, final hull that the Navy had requested.
Despite the Navy’s goal on enhancing technology, emphasis will be given to Operations and Maintenance category, as it will receive the largest boost – up by $5.6 billion, an increase larger than that for all the Navy’s other budget categories combined.