House Action. The House is set to take up the fiscal year 2010 defense authorization bill this week, with the House Rules Committee slated to set the parameters for debate during a hearing at 5 p.m. tonight. House members must submit proposed amendments to the Rules panel by 3 p.m. today. HASC Chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.) says in a May 17 “dear colleague” letter that he will request the Rules committee not allow House floor debate on amendments that violate the HASC’s earmark guidance. “Chairman McKeon’s request is consistent with the earmark policy adopted by the House majority, and I will recommend that the Rules Committee honor the Chairman’s request,” Rules Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) says in a May 17 letter. 


…Definition. McKeon cites the Rules of the House of Representative’s definition of a “congressional earmark,” which is: “a provision or report language included primarily at the request of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Senator providing, authorizing or recommending a specific amount of discretionary budget authority, credit authority, or other spending authority for a contract, loan, loan guarantee, grant, loan authority, or other expenditure with or to an entity, or targeted to a specific State, locality or Congressional district, other than through a statutory or administrative formula-driven or competitive award process.”
…Definition. McKeon cites the Rules of the House of Representative’s definition of a “congressional earmark,” which is: “a provision or report language included primarily at the request of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Senator providing, authorizing or recommending a specific amount of discretionary budget authority, credit authority, or other spending authority for a contract, loan, loan guarantee, grant, loan authority, or other expenditure with or to an entity, or targeted to a specific State, locality or Congressional district, other than through a statutory or administrative formula-driven or competitive award process.”
Budget Resolve. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) says on May 19 that his panel has put off a mark-up session of its FY ’12 budget resolution “because of the high-level bipartisan leadership negotiations that are currently underway.” He says Democrats on the Budget panel are “close to an agreement.” Yet he is waiting for White House-led budget-deficit talks to end. A version of Conrad’s budget, circulating on Capitol Hill two weeks ago, reportedly calls for $900 billion in defense budget cuts over the next 10 years. The House passed a FY ’12 budget resolution April 15 that had no major defense cuts. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans for his chamber this week to take up that House resolution, which was crafted by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). President Barack Obama, meanwhile, is calling for cutting $400 billion in security spending by 2023.
NASA Vs. Hill. Some senators are calling on NASA to give them details by June 3 on how the space agency is complying with direction in the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 to build a new heavy-lift rocket and crew capsule. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) also want bi-monthly meetings on NASA’s progress, they write in a May 18 letter to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. “NASA’s current inaction and indecision in implementing this transition could impact our global standing and take many years and billions of dollars to repair,” they say in the letter, also signed by Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), the chairman and ranking member of the committee’s Science and Space subcommittee. NASA was delayed in beginning work because the agency’s FY ’11 budget-setting appropriations legislation was not passed by Congress until April, more than six months late.
WTO Win. The World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body determines Airbus received $18 billion in subsidies that harmed the United States as well as Boeing, its workers, and its suppliers, United States Trade Representative General Counsel Tim Reif announces May 18. “This report confirms that for decades the European Union member states France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom, have provided massive amounts of market-distorting launch aid and other subsidies that were inconsistent with WTO rules,” he says. Reif says the “definitive victory” will help U.S. aerospace workers “who for decades have had to compete against a heavily subsidized Airbus.” The Pentagon in February awarded a $3.5 billion contract for 18 aerial-refueling tankers awarded to Boeing over EADS, an Airbus company.
Grant Guidance. The Department of Homeland Security last week released its FY ’11 grant guidance and application kits for 12 grant programs totaling $2.1 billion, $780 million less than Congress funded in FY ’10. “In today’s tight fiscal environment, we are maximizing limited grant dollars by setting clear priorities and focusing on the areas that face the greatest risk,” says Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Some of the big ticket grant programs and their FY ’11 amounts include $526 million for the State Homeland Security Grant Program, $662 million for the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), $329 million for the Emergency Management Performance Grants Program, $235 million for the Port Security Grant Program and $200 million for the Transit Security Grant Program.
…Someone’s Not Happy about It. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, says the guidance “shows the devastating and severe consequences of the Republican’s shortsighted cuts to homeland security spending.” Pointing to DHS’ move to fund just 31 urban areas under UASI instead of the 60 in FY ’10, Thompson says this is not the answer to the need for fiscal belt tightening. “The cuts to first responder grant programs will endanger progress made in state and local capabilities at a time when the threat of terrorism continues to test the nation,” he says.
Whither Human Spaceflight. The future of the U.S. human spaceflight program is at a critical juncture, says the Aerospace Industries Association. “Cutting exploration budgets any further threatens our economic growth potential and risks our leadership in space,” the advocacy organization’s vice president for space, Frank Slazer, tells the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Science and Space. “As a nation we can choose to continue our leadership in manned exploration and innovation or inevitably fall behind.” With the retirement of the space shuttle, the United States will have to pay more than $60 million per seat to Russia to transport crews to the International Space Station, Slazer notes. “While cutting the federal deficit is essential to assuring our economic future,” Slazer says, “cutting back on exploration investments is a penny-wise but pound-foolish approach that will have an infinitesimal impact on the budget deficit.”
Italian Tankers. The first two Boeing KC-767 aerial refueling tankers for the Italian Air Force (ItAF) formally enter into service. The ItAF accepts delivery of the two KC-767A tankers on Dec. 29 and March 10. Italian crews then fly the aircraft from Boeing’s tanker modification facility in Wichita, Kan., to the Italian air base at Pratica di Mare. “The configuration flexibility of the KC-767 tanker allows for simultaneous refueling and passenger and cargo transport, with the potential to operate in humanitarian response, disaster relief, and emergency aeromedical evacuation of personnel,” ItAF officials say. “The KC-767 enables a unique and exceptional air projection capability, not only for Italy, but for all of NATO.” Boeing is building four KC-767 Tanker Transport aircraft, designed for in-flight aerial refueling and strategic transport, to replace the ItAF B-707T/T fleet. The third KC-767 is slated for delivery this summer, with a fourth to follow shortly thereafter.
Finnish Rockets. Lockheed Martin receives a $45.3 million contract to upgrade 22 Finnish Army M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers, incorporating the Universal Fire Control System and other enhancements. The upgrade enables the launchers to fire precision GPS-guided munitions for the first time. “Finland has used MLRS products for four years, and the M270 launcher upgrade gives the Finnish Army a modernized fire control system and new artillery options with GPS-enabled precision munitions,” says Scott Arnold, vice president for Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This important upgrade will allow Finland to use the full range of MLRS precision munitions, including GMLRS Unitary and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Unitary.” The agreement takes advantage of current full-rate component production for U.S. MLRS contracts. This is Lockheed Martin’s third international M270 launcher upgrade contract.
Celebrating Continuous Employment. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products celebrates 15 years of continuous employment at the company’s facility May 18 near Camden, Ark., with the delivery of its four-millionth Hydra 70 air-to-ground rocket. General Dynamics has been the sole manufacturer of the Hydra rocket for the U.S. military since 1996. The company continues to deliver Hydra rockets under a contract that, if the U.S. Army exercises all options, will extend through April 2015. “The tremendous effort to produce thousands of rocket motors per month is accomplished only through the efficiency and experience of our highly-skilled employees and our supply partners,” says Russ Klein, vice president and general manager of the company’s weapon systems division. “This team effort has consistently resulted in an effective, affordable weapon for the U.S. military and our allies.” More than 300 employees, suppliers and government officials attended the ceremony.
Green Thunder. Honeywells’ UOP LLC, says Honeywell Green Jet Fuel™ will power two Air Force F-16 aircraft as part of a Thunderbirds demonstration at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. During a Joint Services Open House Saturday and Sunday two Thunderbird aircraft will perform using a 50/50 blend of Honeywell Green Jet Fuel made from camelina and petroleum-based jet fuel. Camelina, grown and harvested for the Air Force by Sustainable Oils LLC, is an inedible, second-generation plant source for biofuels that does not deplete valuable food, land or water resources. This event will mark the first use of an alternative fuel blend by an air demonstration team. To date, the Air Force has fully certified Honeywell Green Jet fuel on the C-17 Globemaster III, the F-16 and successfully demonstrated the fuel on the A-10 Thunderbolt, the F-15 Eagle and the F-22 Raptor platforms.
Three For Three. MBDA says its PARS 3 LR guided antitank missile system had three hits with three shots, in its test firing exercise. For the first time, the test firings with warheads were carried out using a Tiger support helicopter of the German army. All guided missiles hit their targets at the optimum point of impact. The PARS 3 LR firings were part of a MBDA Deutschland export campaign. The guided missile system is on the short list for a procurement project of the Indian Army. The guided missile is manufactured by PARSYS, a joint venture of LFK GmbH (MBDA Deutschland) and Diehl BGT Defence. The German Army has already authorized series production of 680 PARS 3 LR guided missiles. This guided missile system is the future main armament of the Tiger support helicopter.
New Website. As part of their bid to supply aircraft, training and support for the U.S. Air Force’s Light Air Support (LAS) mission, Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) and Embraer have launched a new website–www.BuiltForTheMission.com–to highlight the capabilities of the A-29 Super Tucano and how its selection benefits the warfighter and the U.S. economy. The A-29 Super Tucano would be built in Jacksonville, Fla., by American employees and with parts from American companies, the companies say. Aircraft training will be provided in Clovis, N.M. More than 60 U.S. suppliers in 19 states will supply parts or services for this contract. At least 1,200 U.S. jobs will be supported through this contract. “Selection of the A-29 Super Tucano is a win for the mission, a win for the warfighter, and a win for the American companies and American workers who will contribute to the process,” says Taco Gilbert, SNC’s Vice President of ISR Business Development. “SNC teamed with Embraer to offer the Super T because it is the single best combat-proven platform for the LAS mission.”
Ship Shape? The Navy is getting less than expected for its new amphibious assault ship, the LHA-7, in the upcoming fiscal year, says the new House report on the FY ’12 defense spending bill. Members of the HASC cut $50 million from the program, citing significant delays in the delivery of the LHA-7’s predecessor, the USS America. “These delays have had a cascading effect on LHA-7, which was scheduled to go on contract for detail design and construction in November 2010, but now the Navy estimates the contract will be delayed until the end of fiscal year 2011,” according to the report. The reduced amount authorized by House lawmakers will go toward design and construction of the LHA-7.
Fire Control. House lawmakers are putting the weight of legislation behind an effort to get the Navy and the Marine Corps on the same page regarding fire support. In the HASC’s version of the fiscal year 2012 defense bill, panel members want the Navy to produce a “competitive demonstration” of fire support technologies to meet Marine Corps requirements by 2013. “Navy’s earlier efforts in this area that ended in terminated programs, the requirement still exists…[and] the Marine Corps has repeated the immediate need to fill the requirement for Naval Surface Fires,” the lawmakers write. Additionally, panel members want a new analysis of alternatives on joint fire support for expeditionary operations from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, due one month after the final defense bill is signed.
Steamed. The Navy needs to keep a better eye on its steam-powered large-deck amphibious ships, and members of the House Armed Services Committee wants the sea service to show how they plan to do it. In the committee’s draft of the fiscal year 2012 defense bill, House members want the Navy to conduct a feasibility study, focusing on a “software-based monitoring system” allowing for real-time monitoring of the steam-based engines on board the Wasp-class amphibious ships. Military Sealift Command has already developed monitoring systems for diesel-powered ships in the fleet, “and that the technology is available for real-time monitoring of steam plant systems,” lawmakers say.
Green Light. The Navy moved one step closer to a new multiyear for its MH-60 helicopter fleet, with members of the HASC granting approval for the plan, as part of the panel’s fiscal year 2012 defense bill. The legislative language grants the Army authority to enter into a five-year procurement plan for the Sikorksy-built H-60 family of helicopters. Under the plan, the Army will act as the executive agent for procuring the H-60 airframes, which will be then used to build the Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk and the Navy’s MH-60 Seahawk.
Split Up. Congress wants the Navy to change the way it finances work on the mission module packages for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), directing the service to split the funding between the three variants. The Navy currently finances development for the surface warfare, antisubmarine and countermine warfare modules from a single finding stream. By splitting the funding, lawmakers will “have visibility into the quantity of each type of module and the cost of each type of module that is being requested each year,” the legislation states. Recently, the Navy opted to split its LCS program office into separate entities, one to handle the ship’s development and another focused on standing up the mission modules.
Life Lessons. As work rolls on with the Navy’s LCS, House lawmakers are seeking assurances the next-generation vessel will be with the sea service for years to come. As part of their draft of the fiscal year 2012 defense spending bill, members of the HASC included legislation requiring the Navy to submit “alternative maintenance and sustainability plans” for the LCS. Those plans, according to the legislation, will take into account life and overall cost benefit goals for the burgeoning LCS fleet. “With the commissioning of the USS Freedom and USS Independence, the Navy is now in a position to develop a maintenance and sustainability concept for these ships, which will eventually comprise a large percentage of the fleet,” the legislation states.