Ship-to-Shore Connector costs nearly double as schedule slips
The Navy's Ship-to-Shore Connector program is now expected to reach initial operational capability in early 2027, almost seven years later than its original August 2020 target. Procurement costs have risen 97% above the original baseline, and initial operational test and evaluation is projected for November 2026.
The Navy’s SSC program is now slated to reach initial operational capability in early 2027, according to a September Modernized Selected Acquisition Report. Its original target was August 2020, leaving a delay of nearly seven years.
The article reports that initial operational test and evaluation is projected for November 2026, more than eight years later than first expected. It also says procurement costs are 97% above the original cost benchmark.
The cost growth and schedule slip could affect taxpayers through higher procurement bills and may reduce resources available for other Navy priorities. Delays could also shape when Navy personnel and units receive the connector, potentially affecting training and deployment planning. For the defense industrial base, continued program instability may influence supplier confidence and workforce planning, though the exact effects are uncertain.