ASDS: Stick a fork in it, it's done

By Bull Nav

After the fire last November, and the fact that the hull had to be sealed for several hours before it stopped, I wondered what they were going to do with this one-of-a-kind system.

Now we know.

The career of a small, one-of-a-kind mini-submarine intended to carry U.S. special operations troops for covert operations has come to an apparent end, a victim of the high cost of repairs after an accidental fire burned out the vessel’s interior.

As you can probably guess, repair costs were the reason.

Although an investigation still hasn’t determined what caused the fire, the Navy estimates repairs to the 60-ton craft would cost $237 million, or $180 million more than the craft’s operating budget, and take nearly three years to complete.

A great idea, the ASDS unfortunately was a disaster. I remember back in the mid-90's when we were told that there would be several of these and that Submarine Officers would be the pilots. It was delivered 13 years late, waaaay over budget, and ended at one hull.

My hope would be that something like this would be the exception, but I am afraid that with the way our weapons systems development/procurement processes are going, it is the norm.

July 28, 2009 07:22 AM Navy ~ Submarine Warfare

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Comments

Thats a shame,especially as another tool
for covert and special missions,which
could of added to their flexability!

canopfor · July 28, 2009 10:45 AM

Now there is a "commercial" sub in Monterey, CA that would do just fine. A lot cheaper and easily modified....unless the Govt. does it :)

Tom · July 28, 2009 11:59 AM

ASDS was, indeed, a poster child for what's wrong with acquisition. As you know, my current NOSC CO, CAPT Japs, was the first ASDS pilot and when it worked it was the tits.Can't say for sure, but heard the rumor it got "nuked" to death and at first they even tried to make it SUBSAFE.

I just hope there's a good replacement plan, as the SSGN w/ ASDS is a whole level of deadly than without.

submandave · July 28, 2009 12:13 PM

In the beginning, both of the big sub builders told the navy it would cost a lot more than the 66m.(NNS-Newport News Ship & EB-Electric Boat both had prices way in excess of100M.) The winning bid was Westinghouse, later acquired by Northrop-Grumman, who also later acquired NNS.

pilipo · July 29, 2009 09:11 AM

Let Deep Flight design a submersible or other submersible companies.
Make bids & compete for Next Gen ASDS.
Overahul for Spec Force use.
Very doable.
& Job creating alone.
Test in HI waters or FL.

stephen russell · July 30, 2009 04:30 PM

If the government plans on using the same cost control mechanisms for health care that it uses for military procurement, we're all fucked.

John · August 3, 2009 09:29 AM

It was a very nice idea! Just wanna say thank you for the information you have shared. Just continue writing this kind of post. I will be your loyal reader. Thanks again.

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