Levin announces Michigan-related provisions of National Defense Authorization Act
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
WASHINGTON – Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Senate Armed Services committee, today announced Michigan-related provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act for FY15 agreed to by Senate and House negotiators.
“This bill once again highlights the Michigan role in our national defense from our history as World War II’s ‘Arsenal of Democracy’ until today,” Levin said. “Once again, Michigan’s manufacturing excellence, technical know-how and academic excellence will help our troops carry out their missions, and this bill includes important improvements for Michigan’s National Guard members and reservists.”
The bill includes $182.9 million for Army research on combat vehicle and automotive technologies through the Army Tank and Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center in Warren. TARDEC is the Department of Defense’s leading laboratory for research and development of advanced military vehicle technologies, including efforts to protect Army vehicles against rocket propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices and explosively formed projectiles; advanced materials for tactical vehicle armor; more efficient engines; fuel cell and hybrid electric vehicles; unmanned ground vehicles; computer simulations for vehicle design and training of Army personnel; and technology partnerships with the automotive industry.
The bill also includes funding for the programs of the Army’s TACOM Life Cycle Management Command in Warren. TACOM LCMC is the Army’s lead organization for the development and acquisition of ground vehicle combat, automotive and armaments technologies and systems. TACOM LCMC-managed systems include the Abrams main battle tank, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Stryker Armored Vehicle, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, and all Army tactical vehicles, such as the HMMWV and Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.
House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on the NDAA late Monday. The House is expected to take up the bill this week, with Senate consideration to follow.
Other programs funded in the bill and issues that impact Michigan are as follows:
A-10 Aircraft
The bill includes a provision that would reverse the Air Force’s proposal to begin retiring its fleet of A-10 aircraft in fiscal year 2015. Selfridge Air National Guard Base (ANGB) in Harrison Township is home to 21 A-10 aircraft. The bill would allow a reduction in active duty A-10 flying hours under limited circumstances. In particular, if the Secretary of Defense, after receiving an independent review by the Director of the office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, determines that it would be necessary to avoid unacceptable reductions in readiness or unacceptable delays in the F-35 activation program, he may authorize the Air Force to reduce flying hours for active-duty A-10s by placing up to 36 aircraft on “backup flying status” for the duration of the year.
National Commission on the Future of the Army
The bill includes a provision that would create a commission to study the size and force structure of the Army, including active-duty forces, the Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard and freeze Army end strength at the FY 2015 budget request levels. The bill would allow the Army to transfer up to 48 Apache helicopters from the Army National Guard to the regular Army beginning in FY16.
Military Construction
$35.1 million for replacement of the fuel distribution facilities at Selfridge ANGB. The rapid refueling of wide-bodied and fighter aircraft is essential to support contingency operations, training-sortie turnarounds, and aircraft missions at Selfridge ANGB. Without this project, the base would be hampered by delays in refueling wide-bodied aircraft.
$6 million to support the beddown of an MQ-9 Remote Split Operations (RSO) unit at Battle Creek ANGB. The installation requires a properly sized and configured facility to support this new mission.
Procurement
$1.4 billion for Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) construction. Marinette Marine, just across the Michigan border in Wisconsin, is one of two shipyards building LCS and employs several hundred Michigan residents and relies on many Michigan suppliers.
$435.1 million, including $50 million above the budget request, for the Army’s Stryker double-v hull (DVH) armored vehicle. Additional funds will help the Army accelerate production to create a fourth DVH Stryker brigade. General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights is the prime contractor for the Stryker program and more than 200 Michigan companies serve as suppliers.
$308.7 million, including $82 million above the budget request, for the Tomahawk cruise missile. Williams International in Walled Lake manufactures the engines for these missiles.
$357 million, including $120 million above the budget request, for the Abrams Main Battle Tank program. General Dynamics Land Systems of Sterling Heights is the prime contractor for the Abrams program and more than 200 Michigan companies serve as suppliers.
$144.5 million, including $37 million above the budget request, for Bradley Fighting Vehicle modifications. Funds will be used for the modification and upgrade of Bradley Fighting Vehicles and to manage risk in the armored vehicle industrial base. This program is important to BAE, L-3, and other military vehicle suppliers around Michigan.
$126.4 million, including $75.9 million above the budget request, for the Improved Recovery Vehicle. Funds will be used to accelerate modernization of the vehicles and to mitigate the risk of lost capability and capacity in the armored and tactical vehicle industrial base. This program is important to BAE, L-3, and other military vehicle suppliers around Michigan.
$78.4 million, including $50 million above the budget request, for the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles. Funds will be used for procurement of additional vehicles and to mitigate the risk of lost capability and capacity in the armored and tactical vehicle industrial base. Detroit Diesel manufactures and supplies the engine for this program.
$145.6 million, including $50 million above the budget request, for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV). Funds will be used for procurement of additional vehicles and to mitigate the risk of lost capability and capacity in the armored and tactical vehicle industrial base. Meritor of Troy, AAR Mobility of Cadillac, and a number of other Michigan companies are involved in the production of FMTVs.
$4.5 million for the Lightweight 155mm Howitzer. Howmet Castings of Whitehall is a major contractor for the Lightweight 155mm Howitzer program.
Research and Development Initiatives
More than $2 billion, including an increase of nearly $100 million, for merit-based basic research to support the military at American universities and government laboratories. Many Michigan universities perform high quality basic research for the DOD in all fields of science and technology.
$269.6 million for DOD manufacturing research activities, including funding to support 5 manufacturing innovation institutes. The President recently announced the establishment of the DOD Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing Innovation Institute, headquartered in the Detroit area.
$75 million for the Department of Defense Rapid Innovation Program (RIP). The RIP was established by the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 as a competitive, merit-based program designed to fund innovative technologies, reduce acquisition or life cycle costs, address technical risks, improve the timeliness of test and evaluation outcomes, and rapidly insert technologies needed to meet critical national security needs. Funding authorized for the RIP could provide significant opportunities for Michigan companies, universities, and other organizations to further research and development efforts with the DOD.
$92.4 million for continued development of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle. AMPV will replace the M113 armored personnel carriers in the Army's armored brigades. This program is important to BAE, L-3, and other military vehicle suppliers around Michigan.
$49.2 million for a next generation infantry fighting vehicle. General Dynamics Land Systems and BAE, both of Sterling Heights, are contractors who have been involved in this technology development program.
DOD Laboratory Hiring. Authorizes DOD laboratories, including TARDEC, to rapidly hire qualified science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students into research and engineering jobs to support defense technology development.
DOD STARBASE
$25 million for the DOD STARBASE program. STARBASE is a STEM education program run by the Department of Defense for elementary school students. The STARBASE program is designed to excite students about STEM topics through exposure to the technological foundations of national security. STARBASE currently operates 76 locations in 40 states. Michigan has three DDD STARBASE programs located at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, where the program originated in 1991; Kellogg Air National Guard Base in Battle Creek; and Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena.
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