scope:

The FMP was established to provide a structure for the orderly identification, approval, design, planning, programming, budgeting, and accomplishment of improvements that increase the capability or reliability of a ship to perform its assigned mission. This instruction covers alterations to commissioned ships and service craft of the U.S. Navy except as noted below:

a. Strategic Systems Program Alterations (SPALTS) affecting the configuration and/or capabilities of systems and equipment are under the cognizance of the Director, Strategic Systems Programs (DIRSSP).

b. Temporary modifications authorized by the Type Commander required for test and evaluation, research and development programs or in support of mission or exercise requirements.

c. Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) internal equipment changes are under the cognizance of Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (COMNAVAIRSYSCOM).

d. Alterations affecting configuration of hardware, software and support equipment of the TRIDENT System are under cognizance of Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (COMNAVSEASYSCOM) (PMS 396).

e. Alterations to nuclear propulsion plants and nuclear support facilities under the cognizance of the Director Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) Staff NOON/NAVSEA-08). Nuclear Alterations (NUCALTs) under the cognizance of NAVSEA-08 are exempt from the procedures set forth in this instruction. Reference (a) defines the responsibilities within the Navy for the operation of naval nuclear powered ships. Reference (a) specifies, in part, that Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (COMNAVSEASYSCOM) in cooperation with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Naval Reactors, Department of Energy (DOE), shall be responsible for:

(1) The design specification, construction, inspection, certification, test, refueling, overhaul and conversion of naval nuclear propulsion plants.

(2) The design, specification, development, procurement, test, installation, maintenance, and disposition of all nuclear systems and components used in naval nuclear propulsion plants, and any special maintenance and service facilities related thereto.

(3) All aspects of reactor plant safety related to nuclear propulsion plants. Reference (a) more specifically assigns, within the Department of the Navy, these and other responsibilities for technical matters pertaining to nuclear propulsion in U.S. naval ships and craft to COMNAVSEASYSCOM, Director Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, NAVSEA-08. Consistent with this policy, the Director Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is responsible for all modifications to nuclear portions of naval nuclear propulsion plants (e.g., the reactor plants and the tender nuclear support facilities) for which responsibility has not been transferred by agreement to other COMNAVSEASYSCOM Directorates. The Director Naval Nuclear Propulsion also has responsibility for oversight of modifications to those portions of naval nuclear propulsion plants (e.g., nonreactor plant systems add equipment defined in reference (b)) which affect reactor plant safety or safe and reliable operation of nuclear propulsion plants. This responsibility includes:

(a) Developing, approving, and issuing all alterations to naval nuclear reactor plants and tender nuclear support facilities.

(b) Determining COMNAVSEASYSCOM nuclear ship alteration programming and budget requirements.

(c) Directing the execution of COMNAVSEASYSCOM nuclear ship alteration funds.

(d) Authorizing advance planning and accomplishment of Title K nuclear ship alterations. As necessary, requesting Type Commanders to authorize accomplishment of Title D and Title F nuclear ship alterations.

(e) Planning, programming, budgeting for, and procurement and control of COMNAVSEASYSCOM (NAVSEA-08) managed materiel for nuclear ship alterations.

(f) Tasking reactor plant planning yards, reactor plant prime contractors, and other COMNAVSEASYSCOM (NAVSEA-08) design agencies, as required, for design, logistics, materiel procurement and other designated services to support development and accomplishment of nuclear ship alterations.

(g) Managing the development and maintenance of ship alteration procedures for nuclear ship alteration approval status reports, and other alteration documentation as required.

(h) Tasking COMNAVSEASYSCOM Directorates and Ship Program Managers (SPM) responsible for non-nuclear portions of naval nuclear propulsion plants with development and programming of modifications to non-reactor plant systems and equipment where those modifications are necessary for reactor safety or for safe and reliable operation of nuclear propulsion plants or associated reactor safeguards systems and features.