Sea Change

Spiraling expenses in the private sector and federal government mean ships often come in over budget.

Ship Initial Cost
(in billions)
Current Cost Projected Cost Change
LPD 17
Amphibious transport dock
$0.95 $1.76 $1.91 100.5%
LPD 18 $0.76 $1.01 $1.13 48.3%
SSN 775
Nuclear-propulsion attack submarine
$2.19 $2.50 $2.67 21.6%
CVN 77
Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
$4.98 $5.02 $5.9 12.3%
DDG 91
Guided missile destroyer
$0.92 $0.98 $1.04 12.0%
SSN 774 $3.26 $3.68 $3.64 11.5%
CVN 76 $4.27 $4.60 $4.60 7.9%
DDG 92 $0.93 $0.98 $0.99 7.0%

Source: Government Accountability Office (GAO-05-183), February 2005

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