|
|
|
In the News
|
|
Press Release Archive
February 7, 2003
Akin Says President’s Budget Plan Includes Nearly $570 Million for Super Hornet “Growler”
Project championed by Akin would mean the production of additional Super Hornets
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Bush Administration’s proposed budget includes nearly $570 million over the next two years for further research and development of a project, championed over the last several years by House Armed Services Committee member Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO).
“This is tremendous news both for the future security of our country and for the greater St. Louis area,” said Akin. “Obtaining funding for the Prowler has been a high priority and focus of great energy for me since my term in Congress began. We began with funding levels at the ten million dollars several years ago when it was obvious that the Prowler fleet was becoming unsustainable because of age. With actual procurement of the Growler starting in 2006, this is great news for our pilots. It literally means greater survivability in combat.”
The funding proposed by the President would provide for research, development and testing for a Super Hornet version of a radar jamming aircraft called the Growler, which is produced by Boeing in St. Louis. The Growler would replace the Navy’s fleet of aging radar jamming “electronic attack” aircraft known as “Prowlers”. The Super Hornet Growler would essentially be a Super Hornet equipped to provide essential radar jamming capability and to electronically counter attempts to attack U.S. aircraft during combat.
The proposal for Growler research funding in the President’s budget is $210 million in fiscal year 2004 and $359 million in fiscal year 2005, with procurement scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2006.
 Return to Press Release Archive listing
|
|
|
