Tagos Surtass Ships

The TAGOS Surtass Ships program is a Navy shipbuilding initiative focused on the procurement and recapitalization of Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance (T-AGOS) vessels. These ships are designed to gather underwater acoustical data in support of the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS), providing a platform for theater anti-submarine acoustic passive and active surveillance. The primary objective of this line item is to ensure the continued operational capability of the Navy's undersea surveillance fleet, which is critical for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions conducted by the commanders of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.

The program specifically targets the recapitalization of four Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) T-19 Class ships and one SWATH T-23 Class ship. These vessels are operated by the Military Sealift Command and are equipped with the Surveillance Towed-Array Sensor System (SURTASS), which is essential for collecting and transmitting undersea acoustic data. The ships also feature advanced electronic systems to process and relay information via satellite to shore-based evaluation stations, supporting both tactical and strategic intelligence requirements.

Funding for TAGOS Surtass Ships in FY 2026 is allocated primarily for procurement activities, including basic construction, electronics, hull, mechanical, and electrical components. The budget supports the construction of one ship and the acquisition of associated government-furnished equipment (GFE). The program has experienced schedule adjustments, notably a four-year delay in the delivery of T-AGOS 25 due to design complexities inherent to SWATH vessels, workforce shortages, and integration challenges with outsourced design products. The Navy is prioritizing a robust design phase to mitigate risks before commencing full-scale construction.

The Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) component is a key objective within the TAGOS Surtass Ships line item. The C4I suite includes systems such as the Global Command & Control System-Maritime (GCCS-M), Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES), Global Positioning Navigation and Timing Service (GPNTS), Automatic Identification System, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), Commercial Broadband Satellite Program (CBSP), Digital Modular Radio (DMR), and Advanced Digital Networks System (ADNS). These systems are procured to ensure the ships can effectively communicate, navigate, and integrate with broader fleet operations and intelligence networks.

The Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) is another major procurement objective. SURTASS consists of active and passive acoustic arrays, a processing segment, and a C5I segment to deliver tactical mission data to fleet and intelligence community users. The FY 2026 budget includes updated procurement estimates for both program-of-record GFE and T-AGOS 25 Class-specific interfaces, reflecting cost increases due to new contract prices, government labor adjustments, and inflationary pressures. The system is critical for the ships' primary mission of undersea surveillance and data collection.

The recapitalization of the TAGOS fleet is necessary to replace aging vessels and maintain the Navy's ability to conduct effective undersea surveillance. The SWATH hull design offers enhanced stability and acoustic performance, which are vital for the operation of towed array sensors in challenging ocean conditions. The program's objectives align with broader Department of Defense goals to modernize the fleet, sustain ASW capabilities, and support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

The TAGOS Surtass Ships budget line item supports the Navy's strategic goal of maintaining a technologically advanced and operationally effective undersea surveillance fleet. The program encompasses ship construction, integration of advanced electronic and sensor systems, and a focus on robust design and risk mitigation. These objectives are intended to ensure the Navy can meet current and future ASW and ISR requirements in support of national defense priorities.