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In the News
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Press Release Archive
May 22, 2003
U.S. House Passes 2004 Defense Authorization
H.R. 1588 includes Akin Amendment and Support for Boeing’s E-18G Growler, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Future Combat Systems
WASHINGTON- The United States House of Representatives today passed H.R. 1588, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, which includes key programs requested by Congressman Todd Akin, (R-MO). The Town and Country Republican is a member of the Armed Services Committee.
“This measure is vital to the security of our country and great news for the economy of the greater St. Louis region,” said Akin. “My colleagues on the Armed Services Committee recognize the importance of the programs endorsed today, and St. Louis can be proud of the role our companies and their employees play in keeping America strong.”
The authorization includes $2.5 Billion for 12 Boeing C-17 airlift aircraft, a multi-year program to procure 234 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, $1.7 Billion for Future Combat Systems. Boeing recently announced that it is moving of its Future Combat Systems Headquarters to St. Louis.
The authorization also includes funding for further development of Boeing’s E-18G Growler, a project long championed by Akin. The Growler, a Super Hornet version of a radar jamming aircraft, will replace the Navy’s aging fleet of Prowlers that are used to jam enemy radar and electronically counter attempts to attack U.S. aircraft during combat.
“This bill recognizes the sacrifices made by our military personnel and ensures that they have the proper tools and training they need,” said Congressman Akin. “I am also pleased that the authorization includes funding for the development of a system I have long supported and that is absolutely essential to America’s security. When produced, Boeing’s EA-18G Growler will enhance the safety of American pilots and significantly extend the Super hornet production line in St. Louis.”
Also included in the authorization is Congressman Akin’s amendment to ensure that repairs to certain old and excess military aircraft that are purchased by foreign governments will be repaired or maintained within the U.S. prior to their transfer.
“When the U.S. transfers older, excess military aircraft to foreign governments it makes sense to ensure that the costs for repair and maintenance benefit U.S. businesses and employees,” said Congressman Akin.
The amendment expands the existing list of aircraft to include T-2 Buckeye and the T-37 Tweet as additional aircraft to be covered by Section 2581, Title 10, U.S. Code. Sabreliner, headquartered in St. Louis, currently holds a contract for repair and depot maintenance of the T-2 Buckeye and owns the tooling and specifications for the T-37.
Other funding affecting the St. Louis region that was advanced by Akin in his two Armed Services subcommittees (the Tactical Air and Land Subcommittee and the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee) include:F-15 C/D Radar Block Upgrade to continue development of the next generation for Boeing’s F-15CD aircraft;
An additional $19.1 million for the T-45TS Goshawk training system (the Goshawk is the Boeing built jet trainer for Navy and Marine Corps aviators);
$312.2 million for Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle Program intended to prove the feasibility of an effective and affordable unmanned combat system that is capable of operation from an aircraft carrier;
Continuation of the Air National Guard E-kit upgrade for the F-15;
$42.1 million for Hypersonic Flight Demonstration Program (HyFly) - a program demonstration hypersonic (mach 6) missile that will lead to a strike capability against time-critical deeply buried targets;
$28.5 million for the Knight precision targeting platform for field artillery;
The man portable Chemical/Biological Electrostatic Decontamination Systems (EDS) provides a fast method of decontamination surfaces in chemical and biological environments, and
$31 million for Chemical Biological Protective Shelters (CBPS), which provide highly mobile, contamination free and environmentally controlled work area for field medical treatment, forward surgical teams, and battalion medical units.
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