ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR FUTURE SURFACE COMBATANTS.

SEC. 128. ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR FUTURE SURFACE COMBATANTS.(a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings:(1) Securing and maintaining access to affordable and plentiful sources of energy is a vital national security interest for the United States.(2) The Nation’s dependence upon foreign oil is a threat to national security due to the inherently volatile nature of the global oil market and the political instability of some of the world’s largest oil producing states.(3) Given the recent increase in the cost of crude oil, which cannot realistically be expected to improve over the long term, other energy sources must be seriously considered.(4) Alternate propulsion sources such as nuclear power offer many advantages over conventional power for major surface combatant ships of the Navy, including—(A) virtually unlimited high-speed endurance;(B) elimination of vulnerable refueling; and(C) reduction in the requirement for replenishment vessels and the need to protect those vessels.(b) Sense of Congress.—In light of the findings in subsection (a), it is the sense of Congress that the Navy should make greater use of alternative technologies, including expanded application of integrated power systems, fuel cells, and nuclear power, for propulsion of future major surface combatant ships.(c) Requirement.—The Secretary of the Navy shall include integrated power systems, fuel cells, and nuclear power as propulsion alternatives to be evaluated within the analysis of alternatives for future major surface combatant ships.