Navy statement by Lt. Tim Pietrack, a Navy spokesman
“Operating constraints experienced during CRs lasting beyond the first quarter are further
exacerbated as the duration of the CR grows longer. Programs impacted by a longer CR in FY20
include:
O&M (Operations and Maintenance) funding shortfalls due to an extended CR are highly
detrimental to the Navy’s mission and will curtail 14 ship availabilities, cancel ship underway
training, shutdown non-deployed CVW (carrier air wing)/expeditionary squadrons, defers ship
maintenance periods, and restricts Fleet flying and steaming for training and deployments.
The USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) RCOH (refueling and complex overhaul) new start program
requires funding in FY20 for advance planning efforts and long lead-time material purchases in
order to meet the planned start date in January 2021. Failure to fund the CVN 74 RCOH will cause a
month-for-month slip, increase costs, and delay the return of CVN 74 to the fleet.
A CR beyond three months delays delivery of one VIRGINIA SSN, one Fleet Ocean Tug, and two
Landing Craft Utility vessels. All of these assets are critical to our ability to pace threats and deter
and defeat near-peer adversaries. A CR beyond thee months also severely degrades our ability to
outpace our adversaries and stifles 17 new start research and development efforts including large
and medium Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV), AI (artificial intelligence) development, and ship
preliminary design and feasibility studies.
As the CR extends, the Navy’s momentum to rebuild our capabilities slows as asset production rate
increases cannot be awarded, including the 22 F-5’s, 3 MQ-9A’s, 5 JSFs (CV variants) and one KC130J.
Based on required progress payments, the CVN 80/CVN 81 Carrier Replacement Program will not
have sufficient funding to make a required payment on May 1, 2020. This could result in required
renegotiation of the contract and higher end costs for both CVN 80 and CVN 81.
WPN (weapons procurement-Navy) funding shortfalls will suppress production rate increases for
Tomahawk, AMRAAM, RAM, JAGM, LRASM, LCS OTH missile, ESSM, MK-48 torpedo, and LCS
module weapons critical to maintaining our competitive advantage.
If a CR extends beyond six months, the Department of the Navy would be forced to reduce strength,
curtail PCS moves, and eliminate some bonuses and awards. This will dramatically impact
workforce morale, and impact Sailors and their families at a time when the Services are competing
to retain a trained and professional workforce, during a period of record low unemployment.
MILCON shortfalls due to an extended CR halts 33 new MILCON projects slated to start in 2020
eroding the Navy’s readiness recovery effort.”