House and Senate appropriators have crafted a compromise Fiscal 2007
defense budget supplemental that eliminates a number of aircraft
requests – including the Joint Strike Fighter and Armed Reconnaissance
Helicopter. And while some combat losses were replaced, industry
analysts say they only paper over some systemic shortages.
For example, the sophisticated discipline of airborne electronic attack (AEA) received support in the form of adding another EA-18G Growler to the program approval for low rate initial production. In addition, the addition of the ICAP-III electronic attack system to the Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler was made a program of record. Also approved is appropriate software, Mids/Link-16 datalinks, communications jammer upgrades and the very important low band transmitters which are crucial for protecting stealth aircraft from detection.
However, it leaves dangerous gaps.
There needs to be development of a new transmitter technology that will cover new radar and communications threats. Also, the Air Force is no closer to closing its electronic warfare and attack gap predicted for 2012 and beyond. Moreover, there’s little Pentagon investment to counter the growing impact on U.S. forces of wireless technology favored by insurgents and terrorists.
Finally, stealth technology is being overtaken by improving radars. If the U.S. doesn’t improve its airborne electronic attack force, stealth may lose its ability to penetrate sophisticated air defenses.
The lawmakers and staff say they deleted requested Defense Department funding for procurement items better suited to the normal budget process.
"The department is reminded that supplemental funding should not be requested for items that can not be executed in a timely fashion," according to the conference agreement.
Conferees agreed to fund procurement of several aircraft to replace combat losses. The deal includes $192 million for three F/A-18E/F aircraft to directly replace F/A–18 aircraft lost in combat, and $75 million for a single EA–18G aircraft, which is a "functional replacement" for a lost EA–6B Prowler, they said. Another $178.5 million goes to upgrades to other EA-6Bs.
Likewise, lawmakers provided funding to bolster the readiness and capabilities of aviation assets operating at extremely high rates. To that effect, the conferees funded six UH–60 helicopters and five C–130 airlifters, they explained.
Congressionally mandated DOD research, development, test and evaluation funds include $52 million to integrate advanced targeting pods on B-1 and B-52 aircraft and Hellfire missiles on A-10 aircraft to improve performance of these various aircraft in Iraq and Afghanistan. The deal also provides $20 million to improve targeting of Predator unmanned aircraft.
--David Fulghum, with Michael Bruno
Comments