Pennsylvania Sen. Robert Casey (D) made it clear he’s a strong supporter of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, speaking April 23 to suppliers of the BAE Systems’ heavy armor vehicle on their annual visit to Washington.
“Eliminating production of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle could cost the military more money and critical capabilities in the long run by eroding the well-skilled and experienced industrial base,” Casey said in a statement provided by his office. “The skills and capabilities of the individuals who make this equipment are not easily replicated or quickly generated. It takes years of experience and training. It’s critical that we maintain this capability and our advantage in producing high end technologically advanced equipment to protect our troops.”
One of Casey’s main priorities is sustaining jobs and increasing financial security for his constituents.
BAE Systems produces the Bradley in York, Pa., and has a total of 586 large and small suppliers in 44 states–with 100 of them in Pennsylvania.
As suppliers made the rounds of House and Senate offices yesterday, they used a White Paper on the balanced use of $140 million additional fiscal year 2013 Bradley modernization funds to maintain the industrial base. The additional funds—authorized and appropriated–plus the $148 million base request would provide a total of $288 million.
The balanced plan would address suppliers concerns that any shutdown of the Bradley line would automatically have implications for cost increases on programs produced at the same York plant–the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program and the M88A2 HERCULES, including significant cost increases.
The balanced plan suppliers are urging for member support would use the $140 million to accelerate conversion of 93 excess Bradley M3 Cavalry vehicles to the M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle configuration with an engineering change proposal. This would move conversions planned for FY ’15 and ’16 to FY’14. This would provide the Army the vehicles they require sooner, and keeps the production line open. It also would provide work for suppliers so they can keep their skilled workforce employed. The funds also would pay for a software update, sensor refresh, fielding and testing and additional training aids.
Every year, BAE invites suppliers to Washington to discuss the state of the business, and this trip, suppliers met yesterday with members of Congress.
On April 23, some 70 representatives met at the National Guard Association Headquarters on Capitol Hill, hearing from speakers such as Maj. Gen. Wesley Craig, Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, Ervin Bieber, president of BAE Systems Land and Armaments business, and the President Gus Hargett, president of the National Guard Association, a retired general.