Navy Aegis Cruiser and Destroyer Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress

Ronald O'Rourke
Specialist in Naval Affairs


The Navy has begun a program modernize its 84 existing Aegis cruisers and destroyers over a period of more than 20 years. The program's estimated total cost is about $16.6 billion in constant FY2010 dollars. The Navy's proposed FY2010 budget requests $674.8 million in funding for Aegis ship modernization. The modernizations are intended to ensure that the ships can be operated cost-effectively throughout their entire 35-year intended service lives. The program poses several potential oversight issues for Congress, including the issue of which shipyards should perform the work, and how the modernization program fits into the Navy's larger plans for the future of its surface combatant force. 

The explanatory statement for the final version of the FY2010 DOD appropriations act (H.R. 3326/P.L. 111-118 of December 19, 2009) reduces by $1.2 million the Navy's FY2010 request for $315.3 million in Other Procurement, Navy (OPN) funding for Aegis cruiser modernization and increases by $2.5 million the Navy's FY2010 request for $142.3 million in OPN funding for Aegis destroyer modernization.

Date of Report: December 22, 2009
Number of Pages: 12
Order Number: RL31384
Price: $29.95

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