CNO Navigation Plan 2015-2019

CNO Navigation Plan


CNO_Navigation_Plan.pdf

SEAPOWER CNO’s Navigation Plan Steers Steady Course Between Readiness and Modernization

In the “CNO’s Navigation Plan 2015-2019,” ADM Jonathan Greenert acknowledged that the fiscal climate “compelled the Navy to make tough choices. … Our Navy will do its part to ‘put our fiscal house in order,’ but we will do so in a responsible way. Despite likely sequestration in [fiscal] 2016, our priority is to operate forward where it matters, when it matters, and be ready to address a wide range of threats and contingencies.”

Strategic deterrence retains is place as the top priority, with sustaining a credible, survivable and modern sea-based deterrent with the 14 Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs) and the Trident D5 ballistic missile, plus developing the Ohio Replacement SSBN, which will make its first patrol in 2031. Sustaining the U.S. advantage in undersea warfare will be aided by the delivery of nine Virginia-class attack submarines and building up to approximately 80 P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft by 2019.

CNO Greenert releases the Navy's "Navigation Plan" for 2015-2019
Planning to navigate without considering how much money or fuel you have is planning to get lost in the middle of nowhere. 

• Ohio Replacement program. Begin construction in 2021, deliver first unit to Navy in 2028, enter service in 2031. Maintain 14 SSBN's. They may be able to do this.
• Take delivery of the twelfth Virginia class attack submarine in 2015, with eight more by 2019. Additionally, take delivery of 8 P-8A Poseidon's in 2015, with a total of 80 by the end of 2019. I can tell you for sure that THIS ain't happening, not with sequestration still in place.
• Take delivery of four new LCS's in 2015.
• Engage in "phased modernization" of our Cruisers, i.e. lay them up in mothballs for a while because we can't afford the upgrades right now. The report itself all but admits this.
• Increase the forward presence of the Navy from 97 ships in 2014 to 120 in 2020. Yeah, SURE. Sure you will. Perhaps in your dreams.
• Increase Asian presence from 50 to 65 ships and Middle East presence from 30 to 40 ships. Again. Sure you will.

And he mentions plenty of other stuff, some of which might happen, but not near the extent the CNO might wish. The 306 ship Navy is a pipe dream. Carrying out all the stuff in this Navigation Plan is also a pipe dream, unless the Congress truly goes nuts and opens up the purse.