[Llarry]

In testimony before Congress on Thursday, July 24th, Admiral Daryl Caudle, nominee for Chief of Naval Operations (i.e., head of the U.S. Navy) stated that in order to meet the requirements of the U.S. and Royal Australian Navies, the production of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) must be effectively doubled.

The current production of SSNs averages 1.2 boats per year, but Admiral Caudle stated the need is for 2.2-2.3 boats per year. These numbers do not include the Columbia-class strategic ballistic missile submarines, which are the USN's top shipbuilding priority.

It's difficult to see how that doubling can be accomplished without building submarines at a third shipbuilding yard. Adding a third yard would be very, very expensive.

The replacement for the current Virginia class SSNs will be the SSN(X). The first of this new class is now planned to be ordered in 2040 instead of 2025.