Affordability in the Submarine Force.

There are at least three pre-requisites that are necessary to sustain an affordable submarine force over the long term. The first of these is production of a submarine design that meets the mission requirements and has sufficient provisions to incorporate growth over the life of the platform. The second is skillful execution of the acquisition program - thinking about the long run, where we are headed and how. And third, making prudent investments in the sustaining science and technology base. It is my sense that the Department and the Navy are on the right path in all three areas. The New Attack Submarine is the right design for todays evolving and more complex threat environment. The acquisition program is being wisely executed and planned investments in submarine science and technology are enabling continued improvements in capability if we can simply reach out and create entry ramps for them to find their way into the program. I believe submarines are a vital part of this nations defenses. Thanks to many of you in the audience, our U.S. submarine force today is second to none. You can be assured of the top-down commitment from the Secretary of Defense, from myself, from Assistant Secretary Douglass and the whole top leadership in the Department that we will keep it that way in the future.