Design and construction of new Global-class auxiliary general oceanographic research ships

(a) Strategy Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a strategy detailing how the Department of the Navy will complete expedited design and construction of new Global-class auxiliary general oceanographic research (AGOR) ships to replace Global-class AGOR 23–25 ships after funding is provided for such new ships, including a cost estimate and an estimated delivery timeline. (b) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report that includes the following: (1) The strategy of the Department of the Navy with respect to the replacement of Global-class AGOR 23–25 ships. (2) If the strategy described in paragraph (1) provides for the replacement of the last of the Global-class AGOR 23–25 ships on a date that is more than five years after the date of the enactment of this Act, a plan to maintain the operational capabilities of the fleet of such ships until the date on which such fleet is projected to be replaced. (3) An explanation of how the plan described in paragraph (2) specifically implements the goals of Executive Order 14269 (relating to restoring America's maritime dominance). (4) An explanation of— (A) the limitations of Global-class AGOR 23–25 ships for operating in the Arctic region; and (B) how a new Global-class oceanographic research ship design would improve the Navy’s overall operational and warfighting capability in the Arctic region. (5) An assessment of the feasibility of converting current civilian or military operational ship designs to meet the Global-class oceanographic research vessel mission, including the feasibility of adapting the Pathfinder oceanographic ship design or converting retired or obsolete littoral combat ships for that purpose. (6) An identification of funding in the future-years defense program by appropriation and fiscal year for the annual operation and recapitalization of the Navy’s oceanographic research fleet. (7) An assessment of the feasibility of transferring a retired littoral combat ship to the National Science Foundation to begin to address the Foundation’s ocean floor drilling platform requirement to replace the JOIDES Resolution, including an estimate of the costs necessary to make such a retired ship seaworthy again.