(U) Mission Description: In the Arsenal Ship project, DARPA will identify and develop high leverage technologies and acquisition improvements to support future surface ships with an emphasis on littoral missions. The objectives of this new project have far-reaching implications for the future of surface ships for the US Navy. The project is currently structured in two parts:

(U) Arsenal Ship is a high priority joint Navy/DARPA program to acquire a new capability for delivery of large quantities of ordnance (approximately 500 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells) in support of land and littoral engagements. Key to both arsenal ship's affordability and operational flexibility is off-board integration of all but the most rudimentary C4I. The ships are to be theater assets that will operate under the authority of the joint Commanders-In-Chief (CINC's) and will receive their targeting along with command and decision information from other assets. Early in arsenal ship's life this control will be exercised through an Aegis platform, though as other assets mature, control will transition to aircraft such as AWACS or an E-2 with Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) and eventually to the Marine or Army shooter on the ground. Thus, the Arsenal Ship will not be fitted with long range surveillance or fire control sensors, but will be remotely controlled via robust data links. The data links will be secure, redundant and anti-jam in order to provide high reliability in the connectivity of the Arsenal Ships in high jamming operational scenarios. The overall program is an attempt to leverage the significant joint investment in Link 16 and CEC. The Arsenal Ship's survivability will be primarily achieved through passive design techniques. While active systems are not ruled out, they must be consistent with overall cost and manning goals. These design goals will allow the Arsenal Ship to have a very small crew (potentially, none at all) which will be a key ingredient in minimizing its life cycle costs.

(U) This demonstration program is a non-ACAT (Acquisition Category) program to design, construct, and test one arsenal ship demonstrator (ASD) to evaluate this new capability while minimizing the risks in acquisition of approximately six ships (to include conversion of the arsenal ship demonstrator to a fleet operational unit).

(U) As a result of studies that DARPA has performed, it is very clear that we should expect significant re-trenching from overseas deployments by US forces. This, coupled with the growing unaffordability of maritime pre-positioned logistics, will require that future forces be deployable from CONUS. The large travel distances suggest

major payoffs for achieving speeds in excess of 50 or 60 knots and, in fact speeds of 75 knots or greater show major payoffs. We will explore the potential for sealift deliveries at speeds up to 100 knots to determine the breakpoints for cost and feasibility.

(U) Program Accomplishments and Plans:

(U) FY 1996 Accomplishments: N/A

(U) FY 1997 Program:

• Select three industry teams from Phase I arsenal ship concept studies to begin Phase II development of the functional baseline. ($18.6M)

• Perform initial evaluation of hydrodynamics for high speed regime. ($1.0M)

(U) FY 1998 Program:

• Complete arsenal ship Phase II functional designs by three industry teams and downselect to one team for detail design and construction of the arsenal ship demonstrator. ($47.2M)

(U) FY 1999 Program:

• Continue Phase III construction of arsenal ship demonstrator. ($50.0M)

(U) Program Change Summary: (In Millions) FY 1996 FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999

President's Budget N/A 16.4 65.0 40.0

Appropriated N/A 16.0 N/A N/A

Current Budget N/A 19.6 47.2 50.0

(U) Change Summary Explanation:

FY 1997 The $3.6 million increase reflects a below threshold reprogramming for the selection of three vice two industry teams for Phase II development of the functional baseline.

FY 1998-99 Change reflects realignment of funding profile to match the joint Navy/DARPA arsenal ship memorandum of agreement.

(U) Other Program Funding Summary Cost:

Cost to Total

FY 1996 FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003 Complete Cost

Navy Funding PE 0604310N 3.9 24.0 103.0 139.5 79.7 11.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 361.4

(U) Schedule Profile:

Plan Milestones

Jan 97 Award three industry teams Phase II arsenal ship contracts.

Jun 97 Complete initial 100 knot speed feasibility evaluation.

Jan 98 Award one industry team Phase III contract to start Arsenal Ship Demonstrator (ASD) detail design/construction.

Feb 99 ASD keel laid.

Aug 00 ASD launched.

Oct 00 Begin ASD Demonstration/Testing Phase.

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