Reactor Power Units

The Reactor Power Units program is a critical line item within the Navy's Other Procurement budget, specifically supporting the acquisition of reactor refueling cores and associated reactor plant equipment. The primary goal of this program is to ensure the continued operational readiness of the Navy's nuclear-powered ships, including submarines and aircraft carriers, by providing the necessary nuclear fuel assemblies and structural components required for scheduled refueling operations. This procurement activity is essential for maintaining the strategic capabilities and longevity of the Navy's nuclear fleet.

The objectives of the Reactor Power Units line item center on the procurement of reactor refueling cores, which are complex assemblies consisting of nuclear fuel, structural supports, and reactivity control equipment. These components are vital for the safe and efficient refueling of naval nuclear reactors, which power the Navy's most advanced and strategically significant vessels. The Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for the fabrication of these units, leveraging its expertise and facilities as the sole remaining manufacturer of naval reactor cores. The procurement process is governed by the Economy Act of 1932, as amended, allowing interagency collaboration between the Navy and DOE.

One of the specific goals of this program is to support the scheduled refueling of operational ships, which is planned on a lead-time basis to ensure that reactor cores are available when needed. This approach helps preserve workload stability and manufacturing efficiency at the DOE production lines, mitigating risks associated with supply chain disruptions or production delays.

By budgeting for these procurements well in advance, the Navy can maintain a predictable and reliable schedule for ship maintenance and refueling, which is crucial for fleet readiness. Another objective is to complete the core assembly required for select submarine and aircraft carrier refueling cycles. This includes not only the procurement of the nuclear fuel itself but also the integration of structural and control equipment necessary for reactor operation.

The program justification emphasizes the importance of these procurements in sustaining the Navy's nuclear propulsion capabilities, which provide unmatched endurance, speed, and operational flexibility compared to conventionally powered ships. The Reactor Power Units line item does not include research and development activities; rather, it is focused exclusively on procurement. The program does not have associated Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) or Major Automated Information System (MAIS) codes, reflecting its status as a mature, service-ready procurement activity.

There are no related program elements for non-service-ready items, and the budget justification is solely tied to the acquisition of operational reactor cores. In terms of budget execution, the line item shows significant prior year obligations, with a much smaller amount in FY 2024, followed by no new requests in FY 2025 and FY 2026. This pattern reflects the cyclical nature of reactor core procurement, which is driven by the Navy's long-term refueling schedule and the need to balance production workloads at the DOE facility. The absence of new requests in future years may indicate that current procurements are sufficient to meet scheduled refueling needs for the near term.