GAO Says Northrop Mini-Sub Is Late

Northrop Grumman Corp.’s program to develop a mini-submarine for U.S. Navy commandos has nearly quadrupled in cost and is six years behind schedule, the U.S. General Accounting Office said.

The program to build six vessels and two stowage facilities was projected in 1994 to cost $524 million.

The cost now is estimated at more than $2 billion, and the first submarine is due this year, instead of 1997, the agency said.

“Both the government and the contractor” are to blame, GAO said.

Northrop Grumman is assessing the report and had no comment, a spokeswoman said.