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PSAD-77-89 1 (1977-04-29)

handle is hein.gao/gaobacsip0001 and id is 1 raw text is: This is an unclassified digest furnished in lieu of a report containing classified security information. COMPTROLLER GENERAL'S THE EFFECTIVENES3 OF THE REPORT TO THE CONGRESS ATTACK SUBMARINE IN THE DIRECT SUPPORT ROLE Department of the Navy DIGEST The major threat to the successful completion of the Navy's sea control mi-sion is the So- viet general puipose submarine force equipped with long range antiship missiles and torpedoes. The Navy considers the nuclear powered attack submarine to oe one of its most effective anti- submarine warfare weapons and has developed a new role for its use--the direct support role. In this role, the attack submarine is intended to perform antisubmarine warfare operations in support of U.S. surface ship formations. GAO found that in the direct support role, the nuclear attack submarine does add to the capa- bility of other systems in the surface force by being able to detect enemy submarines at long ranges. The results of studies and exercises indicate, however, that operational limitations exist which have a severe impact on its ef- fectiveness. As a result, the question is raised as to whether direct support could be more effectively provided by other systems in development such as the Light Airborne Multi- purpose System or ships equipped with the tactical towed array sonar. (See ch. 4.) The Navy plans to achieve and maintain a force level of 90 nuclear attack submarines, a large part of which is justified for its direct sup- port role. (See ch. 3.) The remainder of the force is justified on the basis of two other roles, the blockading of enemy submarines (the barrier role) and the searching out and de- stroying of submarines patrolling shipping areas (the surveillance aided intercept role). If the submarine is only marginally effective in the support role, the question arises whether such a force level is required. (See ch. 2.) *i trend in the design of the nuclear attack submarine is toward larger, faster, more PSAD-77-89 i

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