§8695 Navy battle force ship assessment and requirement reporting

Summary

The Chief of Naval Operations must send Congress a battle force ship assessment and a force requirement report within 180 days after a covered event. The assessment must review current government, Defense, and Navy guidance; identify steady peacetime maritime security needs; list force options to meet theater campaign plans; analyze day-to-day global ship posture for peacetime tasks; model how the force can fight Department of Defense–approved scenarios; and calculate how many ships and where they must be to meet peacetime presence and warfighting response timelines. The force requirement must use that assessment and show, for the fiscal years five, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years after the covered event, the total number of battle force ships, the number in each category, the ship classes in each category, and the number in each class. Categories include aircraft carriers; large and small surface combatants; amphibious warfare ships; attack and ballistic missile submarines; combat logistics force; expeditionary fast transport; expeditionary support base; command and support; and other. A battle force ship is a commissioned U.S. warship or a Navy ship that directly supports warfighting or support missions. A covered event is a big change in strategic guidance, force laydown, operating concepts (like crewing or tempo), or assigned missions that affects presence or force type. The Commandant of the Marine Corps must develop the amphibious and Marine-transport ship requirements.