Overview
- The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released its analysis Wednesday and estimated the 15-ship Trump‑class program would cost about $275 billion in 2026 dollars with the lead ship at roughly $23.4 billion and later hulls averaging about $18 billion each.
- CBO found switching the design to nuclear propulsion raises procurement costs by about 13 percent compared with a conventional design while noting nuclear power could lower long‑term fuel spending and that its figures are highly uncertain because they assume a 2028 lead‑ship order, 15 ships through 2056, and final assembly at a single yard.
- The office modeled a roughly 35,000‑ton fully loaded ship that would be the largest U.S. surface combatant since World War II and would carry heavy armament including 128 Mk 41 VLS cells and the sea‑launched cruise missile‑nuclear (SLCM‑N), which would give the ship nuclear strike capability.
- CBO warned the Navy’s 2027 shipbuilding plan would force shipyards to more than double large‑surface tonnage by 2035, highlighted that only HII Newport News is certified for nuclear final assembly, and said the tight schedule makes delays and cost growth likely given recent shipbuilding performance.
- The Trump administration has requested early procurement and R&D funds for the program and the House included Golden Fleet money in its defense bill, but senators, budget watchdogs and analysts are pressing back and congressional action on funding and schedule remains in flux.