Oceanographic Ships

The Oceanographic Ships program, detailed in Line Item 5087 of the Navy's Shipbuilding and Conversion budget, focuses on procuring and completing specialized vessels designed to support the Navy's oceanographic research and data collection missions. The primary objective is to deliver ships capable of conducting deep ocean and coastal surveys, oceanographic sampling, and data collection of surface, midwater, and ocean floor parameters. These ships are essential for advancing the Navy's understanding of the maritime environment, directly supporting operational readiness and strategic planning.

A key goal of the program in recent years has been the completion of the T-AGS 67 vessel, a repeat platform of the T-AGS 66 class, with enhancements such as the Moon Pool Launch and Recovery System. The T-AGS 67 is designed to operate remotely operated vehicles and hydrographic survey launches, and to process oceanographic data and samples onboard. The vessel's capabilities include shipboard oceanographic data processing, sample analysis, and the deployment of advanced survey equipment. This makes it a critical asset for both scientific and defense-related missions.

The Detail Design and Construction (DD&C) efforts for T-AGS 67 were initiated following a Congressional add in the FY 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Act. The DD&C contract was awarded in June 2021 to Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding, following their acquisition of VT Halter Marine Inc. in November 2022. The ship's production schedule includes a contract award in June 2021, construction start in May 2022, and a planned delivery date of December 2026, with fitting out to be completed by March 2027.

The program's budget objectives for FY 2026 include funding the government's portion of shipbuilding contract overruns, additional Hull, Mechanical, and Electrical (HM&E) funds for shipyard oversight due to program delays, and increased costs for Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) driven by inflation. These allocations are intended to cover contract overruns, HM&E oversight, and inflation-related GFE cost increases, such as the Sediment Velocimeter and Moving Vessel Profiler.

The Plan Costs and Basic Construction for T-AGS 67 include funding for electronics, change orders, and HM&E. The program also incorporates inflation funding and cost-to-complete adjustments to ensure that the vessel is delivered on schedule and meets all technical requirements. These financial allocations address unforeseen construction challenges and equip the ship with state-of-the-art oceanographic instruments.

The Outfitting and Post Delivery phase is another important component of the program, with additional funds requested for FY 2026 to support final outfitting and post-delivery activities. This phase ensures the vessel is fully mission-capable upon entering service. These activities are essential for integrating new technologies and completing final system checks before the ship is declared service-ready.

The Oceanographic Ships line item supports the Navy's strategic objective of maintaining a robust capability for maritime research and environmental data collection. The program's goals are closely aligned with operational requirements for oceanographic support, and its objectives are justified by the need to enhance the Navy's ability to operate in diverse and challenging maritime environments. Continued investment in this line item ensures that the Navy remains at the forefront of oceanographic science and technology, supporting both national defense and broader scientific initiatives.