Keeping Major Naval Ship Acquisitions on Course: Key Considerations for Managing Australia's SEA 5000 Future Frigate Program

Synopsis

This Study Provides A Program Overview Of Acquisition Options Available For The Commonwealth Of Australia's Next Generation Naval Surface Combatant And Identifies Internal And External Factors That Can Influence A Major Ship Acquisition Program. The Authors Address Questions Relating To Available Ship Design And Build Options; Various Phases, Options, And Decisions; And Aspects That Can Contribute To The Success Of An Acquisition Program. Three Broad Options For Designing And Building The New Ship Include A New Design, Tailor-made To Royal Australian Navy Specifications And Requirements; A Military Off-the-shelf Design, Which Would Involve Making Only Minor Modifications To An Existing Ship Design; And An Evolved Military Off-the-shelf Design, Which Would Involve Making More Significant Modifications To An Existing Ship Design. The Authors Discuss Lessons Learned As They Apply To Different Phases Of A Shipbuilding Program And Highlight The Lessons Most Applicable To The Acquisition Strategy Selected.--back Cover. John F. Schank, Mark V. Arena, Kristy N. Kamarck, Gordon T. Lee, John Birkler, Robert E. Murphy, Roger Lough. Rr-767-aus Rand National Security Research Division. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 187-193).