Stargoat's Journal: Virginia costs

The Virginia class SSNs are quite expensive when compared to the Sea Wolfs they were supposed to replace. The original savings of somewhere near a billion per boat have been reduced to less than 100 million. Some information here. The Sea Wolfs have been said to be faster, stronger and better able to operate under the polar ice caps. Maybe quieter as well. But supposedly, each Virginia will have the ability to function in a manner similar to the Jimmy Carter / Parche. If that is the case, then the cost overruns are probably worth it.

Suppose it's true?

My brother works on them

[Ethelred Unraed]

...and apparently there is some seriously stupid shit going on with them, mainly because of meddling by Congress. Apparently the contractors are mandated by Congress to build the subs in various locations (good old pork) and assemble them, and the logistical problems have become a complete nightmare -- which would explain the cost overruns.

AIUI apparently the Texas was manufactured in this way -- but because of the daft demands placed on them by Congress, the Texas was built in such a way that its reactor

Re:My brother works on them

[Stargoat]

I heard something about that, trying to keep Electric Boat and Newport News both in business. I did not realize that replacing the reactor would be such a problem. IIUC, replacing the reactor is supposed to be a fairly common event, happening generally at least once over a ship's life.

Yeah, that's just super.

Polar Ice Caps? Don't need 'em...

[illumin8]

Which polar ice caps? You mean the ones that will no longer exist in a few years? (I'm joking of course)... problem solved...

Re:Polar Ice Caps? Don't need 'em...

[edinjapan]

Overall the Virginia class seems to be an inferior boat. You mention that the Sea wolf's are faster, quieter and more robust. The new boats are less so and may make better targets for the Chinese navy and their used Russian subs.