Summary: This report discusses the Navy's compliance with battleship readiness requirements contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996. GAO evaluates the Navy's compliance with the requirements to (1) list and maintain at least two Iowa class battleships on the Naval Vessel Register that are in good condition and able to provide adequate fire support for an amphibious assault; (2) retain the existing logistical support necessary to keep at least two Iowa-class battleships in active service, including technical manuals, repair and replacement parts, and ordnance; and (3) keep the two battleships on the register until the Navy certifies that it has within the fleet an operational surface fire support capability that equals or exceeds the fire support capability that the Iowa-class battleships would be able to provide for the Marine Corps' amphibious assaults and operations ashore. The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody or titled by the Navy and includes those assigned to the Military Sealift Command.
