Book Description
The U.S. Navy is currently in the process of designing its next generation aircraft carrier, termed CVX. One technological advance for the CVX, compared with the current Nimitz class of carriers, is a new propulsion system. To help in deciding between a nuclear and non-nuclear propulsion system for CVX, the Navy asked RAND to determine the effects of the CVX propulsion choice on the industrial bases supporting nuclear propulsion systems and those supporting conventional propulsion systems. RAND began the research in April 1998 and, because of the time frame of the CVX propulsion system decision, provided the results of the analyses to the CVX program office in August 1998. Shortly thereafter, the decision was made that the CVX class would use nuclear propulsion. The research findings described in this document helped influence that decision. This document offers the briefing presented to the program office along with accompanying annotation. The research was based on understanding the various propulsion system options being considered and contacts with suppliers and integrators of key system components to establish how a CVX decision would affect their company and their industry, as well as other Navy programs. This research and its documentation should be of interest to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and Navy policymakers and planners who must face the propulsion system decisions for future Navy ship programs. It may also interest industrial decisionmakers involved in construction and supply of Navy ships and parts.
