Navy still pays billions to crew attack subs that cannot dive, after promising in 2018 to clear idle time by FY 2023 and setting an 80 percent 2027 readiness target
GAO’s August 27, 2026 public report finds more than 15,000 lost operational days and $3.4 billion in operating-and-support costs on delayed or idle active attack submarines over FY 2016–2025, with public shipyards finishing depot work on time only about 11 percent of the time — against CNO Navigation Plan 2024’s 80 percent combat-surge-ready goal by 2027 and the FY 2026 budget’s stated case for on-time Virginia deliveries, in-service maintenance, and AUKUS.