Corporate Benefactor Speakers Outline Process for Getting to Two Submarines Per Year

Since 03-10-04

From NSL UPDATE 02-20-2004

Over 130 representatives of our Corporate Benefactors, Navy leadership and League officials met Monday evening and Tuesday for our annual Corporate Benefactor Recognition Days at the Hilton Alexandria Hotel at Mark Center in Alexandria, VA. Speakers included Admiral Skip Bowman, Director, Naval Reactors, VADM Kirk Donald, Commander Naval Submarine Forces, RADM Paul Sullivan, COMSUBPAC, RADM Mike Tracy, Director, Submarine Warfare, VADM Stan Szemborski, Principal Deputy Director, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Program, Analysis and Evaluation, The Honorable Michael W. Wynne, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and VADM Phil Balisle, Commander Naval Sea Systems Command.

The Submarine Force leadership stressed the need to get to a two ship per year building rate to meet current and future demands on the force. Admiral Balisle discussed the acquisition processes being followed by different shipbuilding programs in NAVSEA and how they were related in getting new technology, increased capability and operational availability into the fleet to meet the CNO's goals. He noted that the DD(X) program was the key to getting electric propulsion to sea. However, Admiral Szemborski gave the audience an excellent overview of the process of bringing programs into the budget and the rather straight forward, yet soul searching questions about return on investment and operational availability that make the case for each program. Mr. Wynne reviewed his views of how the VIRGINIA Class can be fielded in the near term to demonstrate that the technologies are mature and worthy of Congress investing in the two ships per year needed to satisfy the Combat Commanders requirements.

Over 60 Corporations were represented at this year's event. Fourteen new benefactors have signed on since January 2003, including two new benefactors so far in 2004. Chairman, Admiral Bruce DeMars, thanked the benefactors for their support of League initiative, and being the "engine that pulls the train." We truly could not do all that we do without their support and encouragement.