 MILNET Brief Congress Hits the Navy UUV Program, 1/26/2005 "The Committee believes that institutional reluctance has contributed to delays in the transition of UUVs to operational status in support of fleet requirements. While technological challenges are not insignificant in this program, it appears these challenges are not quickly resolved, exacerbating other program delays and increasing costs." - Recommendations reported out of the House Appropriations. |
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Fiscal year 2004 appropriation $4,941,098,000
Fiscal year 2005 budget request 4,834,278,000
Committee recommendation 4,980,325,000
Change from budget request +146,047,000
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This appropriation provides funds for the procurement of major equipment and weapons other than ships, aircraft, missiles and torpedoes. Such equipment ranges from the latest electronic sensors for updates naval forces, to trucks, training equipment, and spare parts.
The Committee recommends eliminating the request for procurement of the Long-term Mine Reconnaissance System (LMRS) Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV), a reduction of $61,235,000. The Committee understands that the Navy is pursuing a complete restructure of this program and the funding requested for the procurement of two ship sets of LMRS will not be executed in fiscal year 2005, and is, therefore, in excess of need.
The Committee strongly supports the need for a robust UUV program. The Committee believes many missions currently performed by expensive manned systems, especially those associated with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) preparation of the battlespace, could be more effectively performed by UUVs. The Committee encourages the Navy to aggressively pursue a UUV program that increases capability and expands the mission flexibility of the platforms.
The Committee also directs the Navy to review the program management of the UUV program. The Committee believes that institutional reluctance has contributed to delays in the transition of UUVs to operational status in support of fleet requirements. While technological challenges are not insignificant in this program, it appears these challenges are not quickly resolved, exacerbating other program delays and increasing costs.