Submarine Batteries

The LI 0945 - Submarine Batteries program is a critical component of the Navy's Other Procurement budget, specifically under Ships Support Equipment. Its primary objective is to procure and maintain Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries for all active classes of U.S. Navy submarines, including the LOS ANGELES, SEAWOLF, OHIO (SSBN/SSGN), and VIRGINIA classes. These batteries serve as the main storage units, providing essential backup power to ensure ship and reactor plant safety. They are a vital consumable item scheduled for periodic replacement to maintain operational readiness.

Funding for the LOS ANGELES Class Main Storage Battery is allocated for the procurement of VRLA battery shipsets, installation trays, replacement cells, and installation materials specific to the LOS ANGELES class. The program supports the purchase of battery shipsets and associated installation equipment. Procurement is managed through a dual vendor contract, with pricing determined by cell quantity, boosting intervals, and packaging requirements. The goal is to ensure each LOS ANGELES class submarine maintains sufficient battery capacity for deployment and safe operation.

The OHIO Class Main Storage Battery program focuses on the OHIO class SSBN/SSGN submarines, with funding supporting the purchase of battery shipsets and installation trays. This program ensures that strategic deterrence and force protection missions can be sustained by maintaining reliable backup power. The procurement strategy leverages fixed-price contracts and bulk purchasing opportunities to optimize costs and logistics for the OHIO class fleet.

The SEAWOLF Class Main Storage Battery program addresses the unique requirements of the SEAWOLF class, with funding supporting the procurement of battery shipsets. Given the limited number of SEAWOLF submarines, the program tailors procurement quantities to match operational needs and service life projections. This ensures that SEAWOLF submarines remain available for sensitive Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions and other high-demand operations.

The VIRGINIA Class Main Storage Battery program supports the largest procurement quantity, with funding for battery shipsets and installation trays. The VIRGINIA class represents the newest and most numerous attack submarines in the fleet, necessitating a robust battery replacement schedule to maintain high operational availability. The program also procures installation trays to streamline logistics and enable flexible scheduling of battery replacements, minimizing downtime.

Production Engineering, Test Equipment, SUBEC, and ABMS Tech Refresh funds the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane, which acts as the Acquisition Engineering Agent (AEA) and In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA). NSWC Crane leads root cause analysis teams to address battery performance issues, conducts qualification testing, and implements corrective actions to improve battery reliability and lifespan. Additional funding supports battery installation test equipment, the Submarine Battery Evaluation Center, and battery monitoring systems, all of which contribute to enhanced safety, predictability, and maintenance efficiency.

The LI 0945 - Submarine Batteries line item is justified by the need to sustain the operational readiness of the submarine fleet in a demanding geopolitical environment. The program's procurement quantities are based on historical battery service life and fleet requirements, with a goal of replacing battery shipsets annually. Funding also supports inventory management, maintenance, and storage activities at Puget Sound and Portsmouth Naval Shipyards. The request reflects a reduction in advisory and assistance services to promote cost efficiencies in alignment with executive policy directives.