Ship Service Life and Naval Force Structure

The Naval Sea Systems Command has conducted several interdisciplinary studies recently, motivated by a need to address the high cost and extended duration of naval vessel design and construction. Naval architecture and force structure studies have been key components of these efforts. Two general approaches are available: development of alternative future fleet design and programming concepts, and changes in ship expected service life policy. These are not mutually exclusive alternatives, service life is a key variable in future force planning regardless of any other variables considered. In this paper, issues associated with both approaches are described and discussed. Potential implications for future naval force structure planning are identified and recommendations for future work are suggested.