New US SecNav: "Contractor" civvy-staffed subs for training, R&D work?

[The Bread Guy]

If I'm understanding the concept correctly, the new guy thinks there's room for a civvy-staffed (and owned?) sub fleet to train crews & do other work while freeing up "fighting" subs to get out there and fight.

Submarines “As-a-Service” Will Get More Players on the Field Today - Naval News

A “submarines-as-a-service” model—leveraging private industry and allied diesel-electric submarine producers—presents a way to quickly field Navy-trained, civilian-crewed undersea vessels that can fill critical training and development gaps.

www.navalnews.com

Quick summary from the piece:

... The process is straightforward: The Navy partners with an innovative commercial entity that has relationships with allied submarine builders. This partner purchases and refits the submarines, which the Navy then leases for training and RDT&E. If the model proves successful, it could eventually support ISR and clandestine logistics in key theaters. While this would require a shift in thinking about operational authorities and employment, it would ensure the capability exists when needed.

The financial case for this approach is clear. According to Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates, operating a Virginia-class SSN costs approximately $1.6 million per operational day. In contrast, a conventionally powered diesel-electric submarine can operate at a significantly lower daily cost—approximately 40% less than an SSN. The math is simple: more submarines at a lower cost translate directly into increased readiness and strategic flexibility. Integrating conventionally powered submarines into the fleet would allow high-end SSNs to focus on their most pressing missions while providing the Navy with more platforms for training, experimentation, and operational support ...

Seems to be a take on flight training models these days.

 

[daftandbarmy]

If I'm understanding the concept correctly, the new guy thinks there's room for a civvy-staffed (and owned?) sub fleet to train crews & do other work while freeing up "fighting" subs to get out there and fight.

Submarines “As-a-Service” Will Get More Players on the Field Today - Naval News

A “submarines-as-a-service” model—leveraging private industry and allied diesel-electric submarine producers—presents a way to quickly field Navy-trained, civilian-crewed undersea vessels that can fill critical training and development gaps.

www.navalnews.com

Quick summary from the piece:

Seems to be a take on flight training models these days.

I think we all know how a private sub company might turn out

 

[The Bread Guy]

I think we all know how a private sub company might turn out

And to be even more pessimistic ...

Titan submersible implosion | Date, Cause, Location, Timeline, Deaths, & Map | Britannica

The Titan submersible implosion was a disaster in which a submersible imploded on June 18, 2023, while traveling to the Titanic wreckage. All five people on board the Titan were killed.

www.britannica.com

In all seriousness, though, I'd be interested in hearing from folks more in the know than me (like, anyone on the planet) about the feasibility of diesel-powered subs being staffed by Haliburton/Callian/Whoever Corp. people. How much would, say, former submariners be willing to give this a go after retirement?

 

[daftandbarmy]

And to be even more pessimistic ...

Titan submersible implosion | Date, Cause, Location, Timeline, Deaths, & Map | Britannica

The Titan submersible implosion was a disaster in which a submersible imploded on June 18, 2023, while traveling to the Titanic wreckage. All five people on board the Titan were killed.

www.britannica.com

In all seriousness, though, I'd be interested in hearing from folks more in the know than me (like, anyone on the planet) about the feasibility of diesel-powered subs being staffed by Haliburton/Callian/Whoever Corp. people. How much would, say, former submariners be willing to give this a go after retirement?

Who says they'd be retired RCN folks?

They might wind up competing with the RCN for scarce skilled crews.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Who says they'd be retired RCN folks?

They might wind up competing with the RCN for scarce skilled crews.

So far, only the U.S. is floating that trial balloon, but the same thing might happen in the U.S., too - think pilots & airlines?

 

[Spencer100]

Top Aces new "navy sub" division....Bottom Feeders?