Congressional Documents
105th Congress 1st SENATE Report
Session 105-29
_______________________________________________________________________
Calendar No. 84
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998
REPORT
[to accompany s. 924]
on
AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998 FOR MILITARY ACTIVITIES
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, FOR MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AND FOR
DEFENSE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, TO PRESCRIBE PERSONNEL
STRENGTHS FOR SUCH FISCAL YEAR FOR THE ARMED FORCES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
----------
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
UNITED STATES SENATE
<GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
June 17, 1997.--Ordered to be printed
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998
105th Congress SENATE Report
1st Session 105-29
_______________________________________________________________________
Calendar No. 84
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998
REPORT
[to accompany s. 924]
on
AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998 FOR MILITARY ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, FOR MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AND FOR DEFENSE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, TO PRESCRIBE PERSONNEL STRENGTHS FOR SUCH FISCAL YEAR FOR THE ARMED FORCES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
__________
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
UNITED STATES SENATE
<GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
June 17, 1997.--Ordered to be printed
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
(105th Congress, 1st Session)
STROM THURMOND, South Carolina, Chairman
JOHN W. WARNER, Virginia CARL LEVIN, Michigan
JOHN McCAIN, Arizona EDWARD M. KENNEDY, Massachusetts
DAN COATS, Indiana JEFF BINGAMAN, New Mexico
BOB SMITH, New Hampshire JOHN GLENN, Ohio
DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Idaho ROBERT C. BYRD, West Virginia
JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma CHARLES S. ROBB, Virginia
RICK SANTORUM, Pennsylvania JOSEPH I. LIEBERMAN, Connecticut
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, Maine MAX CLELAND, Georgia
PAT ROBERTS, Kansas
Les Brownlee, Staff Director
David S. Lyles, Staff Director for the Minority
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Purpose of the Bill.............................................. 1
Committee overview and recommendations........................... 2
Explanation of funding summary................................... 4
Division A--Department of Defense Authorization
Title I--Procurement............................................. 11
Explanation of tables............................................ 11
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations.................. 12
Section 107. Chemical Demilitarization Program........... 12
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).................... 12
Russian Ratification of the Chemical Weapons
Convention......................................... 13
Subtitle B--Army Programs.................................... 15
Section 111. Army helicopter modernization plan.......... 31
Section 112. Multiyear procurement authority for AH-64D
Longbow Apache fire control radar...................... 31
Other Army Programs.......................................... 31
Army Aircraft............................................ 31
C-XX(UC-35).......................................... 31
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.......................... 32
CH-47 cargo helicopter............................... 32
UH-1 modifications................................... 32
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior................................. 32
Aircraft survivability equipment..................... 33
Training devices..................................... 33
Common ground equipment.............................. 33
Army Missile............................................. 33
Avenger modifications................................ 33
Hellfire missile..................................... 34
Extended range Multiple Launch Rocket System rockets. 34
Multiple Launch Rocket System launchers.............. 34
Army Tactical Missile System......................... 34
Stinger modifications................................ 35
Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles...................... 35
Bradley base sustainment............................. 35
Carrier modifications-M113A3......................... 35
M1 Abrams tank modifications......................... 35
Small arms programs.................................. 35
Army Ammunition.......................................... 36
Army ammunition...................................... 36
Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support......... 37
Other Army Procurement................................... 37
High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle.......... 37
Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles................... 37
Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles.................... 37
Army data distribution systems....................... 38
Echelon Above Corps Communications-Warfighter
Information Network................................ 38
Information system security program.................. 38
Sentinel............................................. 38
Night vision devices................................. 39
Standard Army management information system tactical
computer platform.................................. 39
Reserve component automation system.................. 39
Dump truck........................................... 39
Generators and associated equipment.................. 40
Simulation Network/Close Combat Tactical Trainer..... 40
Special equipment for user testing................... 40
Subtitle C-Navy Programs..................................... 41
Section 121. New attack submarine program................ 62
Section 122. Nuclear aircraft carrier program............ 64
Section 123. Exception to cost limitation for Seawolf
submarine program...................................... 67
Section 124. Airborne self-protection jammer program..... 68
Other Navy Programs.......................................... 68
Navy Aircraft............................................ 68
AV-8B Harrier remanufacture.......................... 68
Aircrew trainer/simulators........................... 69
V-22 Osprey.......................................... 69
EC Hawkeye early warning aircraft.................... 69
T-45 trainer......................................... 69
EA-6B support jamming upgrade........................ 70
Helicopter crash attenuating seats................... 70
P-3C anti-surface warfare improvement program........ 70
Navy Weapons............................................. 72
Tomahawk land attack missile......................... 72
Penguin missile program.............................. 73
Standard missile modification........................ 74
Navy and Marine Corps Ammunition......................... 74
Marine Corps ammunition.............................. 74
Shoulder Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon....... 74
Navy Shipbuilding and Conversion......................... 75
Advanced submarine technology insertion.............. 75
Arleigh Burke class destroyer program................ 75
Oceanographic survey ship............................ 76
Other Navy Procurement................................... 76
Submarine propulsor.................................. 76
AN/WSN-7 inertial navigation system.................. 77
Integrated combat weapons system..................... 77
AN/BPS-15H submarine navigation radar................ 78
Cooperative engagement capability.................... 78
Information Technology-21............................ 79
Integration and test facility command and control
initiative......................................... 80
Sonobuoy procurement................................. 81
NATO Sea Sparrow missile system low light level
television......................................... 81
NULKA anti-ship missile decoy system................. 82
Oceanographic equipment.............................. 83
Marine Corps Procurement................................. 83
Javelin.............................................. 83
Night vision equipment............................... 83
Base telecommunications infrastructure............... 84
Improved direct air support center................... 84
Light Tactical Vehicle Replacement program........... 84
International standards organization truck beds...... 84
Power equipment assorted............................. 84
Shop equipment contact maintenance system............ 85
Combat rubber reconnaissance craft................... 85
Chemical/biological incident response force equipment 85
Combat vehicle appended trainer...................... 85
Items less than $2 million........................... 85
Subtitle D--Air Force Programs............................... 86
Section 131. B-2 bomber aircraft program................. 99
Other Air Force Programs..................................... 99
Air Force Aircraft....................................... 99
F-15E attrition aircraft............................. 99
F-22 requirements................................ 99
F-22 event-based decision making..................... 99
C-130J............................................... 102
Spares and support............................... 102
C-130 remanufacture report....................... 102
WC-130J.......................................... 103
EC-130J.......................................... 103
C-130J........................................... 103
Joint Primary Aircraft Training System............... 103
F-15 PW-220E modifications........................... 103
F-16 targeting/navigation pods....................... 104
Rivet Joint technology transfer...................... 104
SR-71................................................ 104
U-2 Sensor Upgrades.................................. 105
Air Force Missile........................................ 105
Titan IV space boosters.............................. 105
Air Force Ammunition..................................... 105
Air Force ammunition................................. 105
Other Air Force Procurement.............................. 105
Theater deployable communications.................... 105
Defense-Wide Programs.................................... 106
Common automatic recovery system..................... 112
MH-47E helicopter replacement........................ 112
Night firing scopes.................................. 112
Counter proliferation/weapons of mass destruction.... 112
National Guard and Reserve Equipment..................... 112
Subtitle E--Other Matters.................................... 114
Section 141. Prohibition on use of funds for acquisition
or alteration of private drydocks...................... 114
Section 142. Replacement of engines on aircraft derived
from Boeing 707 aircraft............................... 114
Section 143. Exception to requirement for a particular
determination for sales of manufactured articles or
services of Army industrial facilities outside the
United States.......................................... 115
Other Items of Interest...................................... 115
Alternative fuel vehicles................................ 115
Automated data processing equipment.................. 116
Coast Guard port security units.......................... 116
Global Air Traffic Management............................ 117
Tactical aviation........................................ 117
Tactical trailers/dolly sets............................. 118
Title II--Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation............ 119
Explanation of tables........................................ 119
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations.................. 119
Subtitle B--Program Requirements, Restrictions, and
Limitations................................................ 119
Section 211. Joint Strike Fighter program................ 119
Alternative engine program........................... 120
Section 212. F-22 aircraft program....................... 120
Cost analyses........................................ 121
Section 213. High Altitude Endurance Unmanned Vehicle
program................................................ 121
Tier II plus......................................... 122
Section 214. Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile
program................................................ 123
Section 215. Federally funded research and development
centers................................................ 123
Section 216. Goal for dual-use science and technology
projects............................................... 123
Section 217. Transfers of authorizations for
counterproliferation support program................... 125
Chemical and Biological Detection.................... 125
Mission Planning and Analysis........................ 126
Transfer Authority................................... 126
Underground and Deep Underground Structures.......... 126
Section 218. Kinetic Energy Tactical Anti-Satellite
Technology Program..................................... 126
Section 219. Clementine 2 Micro-Satellite development
program................................................ 127
Subtitle C--Ballistic Missile Defense Programs............... 127
Section 221. National Missile Defense program............ 127
Section 222. Reversal of decision to transfer procurement
funds from the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.. 128
Subtitle D--Other Matters.................................... 128
Section 231. Manufacturing Technology program............ 128
Section 232. Use of major range and test facility
installations by commercial entities................... 128
Section 233. Eligibility for the Defense Experimental
Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.............. 129
Section 234. Restructuring of National Oceanographic
Partnership Program organizations...................... 129
Army..................................................... 130
Army research institute.............................. 136
University and industry research centers............. 136
Materials technology................................. 136
National Automotive Center........................... 136
Liquid propellant technology program................. 136
Environmental technology............................. 136
Innovative methods of energy conservation and the
economic efficiency of energy sources.............. 137
Military engineering technology...................... 138
Medical advanced technology.......................... 138
Nutrition research................................... 138
Combat vehicle and automotive advanced technology.... 138
Wave net technology.................................. 138
Vehicular mounted mine detector...................... 139
Missile defense Battle Integration Center............ 139
All source analysis system........................... 139
Force XXI tactical operation centers................. 139
Force XXI architecture............................... 139
Firefinder........................................... 140
Tactical high energy laser program................... 140
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) research
and development.................................... 140
Combat vehicle improvement program................... 141
Aircraft modifications/product improvement program... 141
Force XXI digitization............................... 141
Force XXI battle command............................. 143
Missile/air defense product improvement program...... 143
RDT&E infrastructure support......................... 143
Navy..................................................... 144
Power electronic building blocks..................... 151
Materials technology................................. 151
Second source for carbon fibers...................... 151
Titanium processing technology....................... 151
National oceanographic partnership program........... 151
Undersea weapons technology.......................... 152
Composite helicopter hangar.......................... 153
Commandant's warfighting laboratory.................. 153
Freeze-dried blood research project.................. 153
High frequency surface wave radar.................... 153
Remote minehunting system............................ 154
Advanced submarine technology........................ 154
Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle.................. 155
Navy tactical missile system......................... 155
Land attack Standard missile......................... 156
Naval surface fire support........................... 156
Nonlethal weapons and technologies of mass protection
program............................................ 157
Advanced communications and information technologies. 158
Parametric airborne dipping sonar.................... 158
Helicopter upgrade program........................... 158
Integrated defensive electronic countermeasures...... 159
High power discriminator............................. 159
Maritime fire support demonstrator................... 159
Multi-purpose processor.............................. 161
Seawolf shock test................................... 161
Future surface combatants............................ 162
Infrared search and track system..................... 164
Ship self-defense system............................. 165
Advanced deployable system........................... 165
Classified program reduction......................... 166
Communications interoperability and reliability...... 166
Marine common hardware suite......................... 166
Manufacturing technology program..................... 166
Air Force................................................ 168
Phillips laboratory exploratory development.......... 175
High frequency active auroral research program....... 175
ALR-69 radar warning receiver........................ 175
Missile technology demonstration..................... 175
Military space plane................................. 175
Solar thermionic orbital transfer vehicle............ 176
Geo space object imaging............................. 176
Asynchronous transfer mode program................... 176
Variable stability in-flight simulator test aircraft. 176
F-22 engineering and manufacturing development
program............................................ 177
Cost overruns and restructuring.................. 177
Placeholder status............................... 178
B-2 Multi Stage Improvement Plan (MSIP).............. 178
Situational awareness............................ 178
Maintainability.................................. 178
Minuteman safety enhanced reentry vehicle............ 178
Aging landing gear life extension.................... 179
Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile Block II
upgrade............................................ 179
Theater battle management system..................... 179
Cruise missile defense............................... 179
C-5 Modernization.................................... 180
Measurement and signature intelligence software
development and training facility.................. 180
Defense-Wide............................................. 181
Defense experimental program to stimulate competitive
research........................................... 187
Chemical and biological defense program.............. 187
Medical Defenses against Biological Agents....... 187
Domestic Emergency Response Program.............. 188
Chemical-Biological Response Teams............... 189
Ballistic Missile Defense Organization funding....... 190
Support technology............................... 190
Theater High Altitude Area Defense system........ 191
Navy Upper Tier (Theater Wide)................... 192
Boost phase interceptor.......................... 192
National Missile Defense......................... 192
Joint theater missile defense.................... 193
Reuse technology adoption program.................... 194
Tactical technology.................................. 194
High definition display systems...................... 194
Hard carbon-based coatings........................... 195
Seamless high off-chip connectivity.................. 195
Defense Special Weapons Agency....................... 195
Structural Response and Blast Mitigation......... 195
Vulnerability of electronic technologies and
space systems to radiation and electromagnetic
pulse.......................................... 196
Counterterror technical support...................... 196
Research and Development for Combating Terrorism. 197
Advanced lithography................................. 197
Advanced concept technology demonstrations........... 198
Electronic commerce resource centers................. 199
High performance computing modernization program..... 199
Reductions in new starts............................. 199
Large millimeter-wave telescope program.............. 199
Land warfare technology.............................. 199
Vehicle teleoperation capability development program. 200
Non-acoustic antisubmarine warfare................... 200
Integrated data environment program.................. 200
Technical, studies, support and analysis............. 200
Command Intelligence Architecture/Planning Program... 201
Communications helmet................................ 201
Heavy sniper rifle................................... 201
Improved limpet assembly modular..................... 201
Remote activation munition systems................... 201
USSOCOM joint threat warning system training system.. 202
Operational test and evaluation...................... 202
Other Items of Interest...................................... 203
600 gallon fuel tanks for F-16........................... 203
Flat panel display technology............................ 203
Improved shipbuilding competitiveness.................... 204
Intercooled recuperated gas turbine engine............... 204
Joint experimentation plan............................... 205
Materials for micro system components.................... 205
Minimally invasive surgery............................... 205
National crash survival data............................. 206
National solar observatory............................... 206
Software acquisition management practices................ 206
Terminal guidance systems for small munitions............ 207
Totally integrated munitions enterprise.................. 207
United States-Japan management training.................. 207
Wireless communications for the digital battlefield...... 207
Title III--Operation and Maintenance............................. 208
``The Storm Clouds are on the Horizon''...................... 208
Readiness Crisis?........................................ 208
Causes and Solutions..................................... 209
Overview..................................................... 210
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations.................. 236
Section 303. Armed Forces Retirement Home................ 236
Section 304. Transfer from National Defense Stockpile
Transaction Fund....................................... 236
Section 305. Fisher House Trust Funds.................... 236
Subtitle B--Depot-Level Activities........................... 236
Subtitle C--Environmental Provisions......................... 238
Section 331. Clarification of authority relating to
storage and disposal of nondefense toxic and hazardous
materials on Department of Defense property............ 238
Section 332. Annual report on payments and activities in
response to fines and penalties assessed under
environmental laws..................................... 239
Section 333. Annual report on environmental activities of
the Department of Defense overseas..................... 239
Section 334. Membership terms for Strategic Environmental
Research and Development Program Scientific Advisory
Board.................................................. 239
Section 335. Additional information on agreements for
agency services in support of environmental technology
certification.......................................... 240
Section 336. Risk assessments under the Defense
Environmental Restoration Program...................... 240
Section 337. Recovery and sharing of costs of
environmental restoration at Department of Defense
sites.................................................. 241
Section 338. Pilot program for the sale of air pollution
emission reduction incentives.......................... 242
Section 339. Tagging system for identification of
hydrocarbon fuels used by the Department of Defense.... 243
Subtitle D--Commissaries and Nonappropriated Fund
Instrumentalities.......................................... 243
Section 351. Funding sources for construction and
improvement of commissary store facilities............. 243
Section 352. Integration of military exchange services... 243
Subtitle E--Other Matters.................................... 244
Section 361. Advance billings for working capital funds.. 244
Section 362. Center for Excellence in Disaster Management
and Humanitarian Assistance............................ 244
Section 363. Administrative actions adversely affecting
military training or other readiness activities........ 245
Section 364. Financial assistance to support additional
duties assigned to Army National Guard................. 247
Section 365. Sale of excess, obsolete, or unserviceable
ammunition and ammunition components................... 247
Section 366. Inventory management........................ 247
Section 367. Warranty claims recovery pilot program...... 248
Section 368. Adjustment and diversification assistance to
enhance increased performance of military family
support services by private sector sources............. 248
Additional Matters of Interest............................... 248
Army..................................................... 248
Organizational clothing and individual equipment..... 248
Aviation training.................................... 249
Logistics automation................................. 249
Information systems security......................... 249
Real property maintenance............................ 250
Support of other nations............................. 250
Army enterprise architecture......................... 250
Navy..................................................... 251
Flying hour program.................................. 251
Naval oceanographic program.......................... 251
Marine Corps............................................. 251
Marine Corps initial issue........................... 251
Personnel support equipment.......................... 251
Air Force................................................ 252
KC-135 depot maintenance............................. 252
Office of Special Investigation and Information
Protection......................................... 252
Force protection..................................... 252
Guard and Reserve Components............................. 252
Reserve component training........................... 252
Defense-Wide............................................. 253
Joint exercises...................................... 253
Special Operations Command operations tempo
sustainment........................................ 253
Civilian personnel levels............................ 253
Miscellaneous Programs................................... 254
Full funding of the defense health program........... 254
Cooperative Threat Reduction program................. 254
Chemical Weapons Convention...................... 255
Overseas humanitarian demining and Commander in
Chief initiative activities.................... 255
National Defense Sealift Fund............................ 256
LMSR procurement..................................... 256
National defense sealift fund........................ 256
Maritime prepositioning force recapitalization....... 256
Other Items of Interest...................................... 257
Authorization for the Department of Defense to deposit
funds in the Foreign Military Sales Trust Fund Account
for Canada's purchase of military equipment............ 257
Continued operations at Fort Pickett, Virginia........... 257
Contracted Flight Training Service....................... 258
Defense environmental compliance......................... 258
Defense Commissary Agency produce purchasing............. 259
Department of Defense use of Ada computer language....... 259
Department of Defense use of frequency spectrum.......... 260
Elimination of unnecessary training restrictions imposed
under the Endangered Species Act....................... 260
Environmental cleanup of formerly used defense sites..... 261
Environmental cleanup of lands conveyed by the Department
of Defense............................................. 261
Environmental liabilities at Rocky Mountain Arsenal,
Colorado............................................... 261
Environmental requirements at Department of Defense
demolition, construction, and renovation sites......... 262
Indoor marksmanship training............................. 263
Pollution prevention..................................... 263
Potential depot maintenance savings...................... 264
Proposed revision of the standards for ozone and
particulate matter..................................... 264
Removal of polychlorinated biphenyls from Navy vessels
prior to disposal...................................... 265
Title IV--Military Personnel Authorizations...................... 267
Subtitle A--Active Forces.................................... 267
Section 401. End strengths for active forces............. 267
Section 402. Permanent end strength levels to support two
major regional contingencies........................... 268
Subtitle B--Reserve Forces................................... 268
Section 411. End strengths for Selected Reserve.......... 268
Section 412. End strengths for Reserves on active duty in
support of the reserves................................ 269
Subtitle C--Authorization of Appropriations.................. 269
Section 421. Authorization of appropriations for military
personnel.............................................. 269
Title V--Military Personnel Policy............................... 271
Subtitle A--Personnel Management............................. 271
Section 501. Officers excluded from consideration by
promotion board........................................ 271
Section 502. Increase in the maximum number of officers
allowed to be frocked to the grade of O-6.............. 271
Section 503. Availability of Navy chaplains on retired
list or of retirement age to serve as Chief or Deputy
Chief of Chaplains of the Navy......................... 272
Section 504. Period of recall service of certain retirees 272
Subtitle B--Matters Relating to Reserve Components........... 272
Section 511. Termination of ready reserve mobilization
income insurance program............................... 272
Section 512. Discharge or retirement of reserve officers
in an inactive status.................................. 273
Section 513. Retention of military technicians in grade
of Brigadier General after mandatory separation date... 273
Section 514. Federal status of service by National Guard
members as honor guards at funerals of veterans........ 273
Subtitle C--Education and Training Programs.................. 273
Section 521. Service academies foreign exchange study
program................................................ 273
Section 522. Programs of higher education of the
Community College of the Air Force..................... 273
Section 523. Preservation of entitlement to educational
assistance of members of the Selected Reserve serving
on active duty in support of a contingency operation... 274
Section 524. Repeal of certain staffing and safety
requirements for the Army Ranger Training Brigade...... 274
Subtitle D--Decorations and Awards........................... 274
Section 531. Clarification of eligibility of members of
Ready Reserve for award of service Medal for Heroism... 274
Section 532. Waiver of time limitations for award of
certain decorations to specified persons............... 275
Section 533. One-year extension of period for receipt of
recommendations for decorations and awards for certain
military intelligence personnel........................ 275
Section 534. Eligibility of certain World War II military
organizations for award of unit decorations............ 275
Subtitle E--Military Personnel Voting Rights................. 275
Subtitle F--Other matters.................................... 276
Section 551. Sense of Congress regarding study of matters
relating to gender equity in the Armed Forces.......... 276
Section 552. Commission on Gender Integration in the
Military............................................... 276
Section 553. Sexual harassment investigations and reports 276
Section 554. Requirement for exemplary conduct by
commanding officers and other authorities.............. 277
Section 555. Participation of Department of Defense
personnel in management of non-federal entities........ 277
Section 556. Technical correction to cross reference in
ROPMA provision relating to position vacancy promotion. 277
Other Items of Interest...................................... 278
Findings related to the investigations of deaths of
members of the armed forces from self-inflicted causes. 278
Inspector General investigations of general and flag
officers............................................... 279
Military leave for Federal employees who are members of a
reserve component unit................................. 280
Revisions to missing persons authorities................. 280
Sexual harassment........................................ 281
Virtual education approach to learning for employment.... 281
Title VI--Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits.............. 283
Subtitle A--Pay.............................................. 283
Section 601. Military pay raise for fiscal year 1998..... 283
Subtitle B--Subsistence, Housing, and Other Allowances....... 283
Part I--Reform of Basic Allowance for Subsistence........ 284
Part II--Reform of Housing and Related Allowances........ 284
Park III--Other Amendments Relating to Allowances........ 284
Section 626. Revision of authority to adjust compensation
necessitated by reform of subsistence and housing
allowances............................................. 284
Section 627. Deadline for payment of Ready Reserve muster
duty allowance......................................... 284
Subtitle C--Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays........... 285
Section 631. One-year extension of certain bonuses and
special pay authorities for reserve forces............. 285
Section 632. One-year extension of certain bonuses and
special pay authorities for nurse officer candidates,
registered nurses, and nurse anesthetists.............. 285
Section 633. One-year extension of authorities relating
to payment of other bonuses and special pays........... 285
Section 634. Increased amounts for aviation career
incentive pay.......................................... 285
Section 635. Aviation continuation pay................... 285
Section 636. Eligibility of dental officers for the
multiyear retention bonus provided for medical officers 286
Section 637. Increased special pay for dental officers... 286
Section 638. Modification of Selected Reserve
reenlistment bonus authority........................... 286
Section 639. Modification of authority to pay bonuses for
enlistments by prior service personnel in critical
skills in the Selected Reserve......................... 287
Section 640. Increased special pay and bonuses for
nuclear qualified officers............................. 287
Section 641. Authority to pay bonuses in lieu of special
pay for enlisted members extending duty at designated
locations overseas..................................... 287
Subtitle D--Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related
Matters.................................................... 288
Section 651. One-year opportunity to discontinue
participation in Survivor Benefit Plan................. 288
Section 652. Time for changing survivor benefit coverage
from former spouse to spouse........................... 288
Section 653. Paid-up coverage under Survivor Benefit Plan 288
Section 654. Annuities for certain military surviving
spouses................................................ 288
Subtitle E--Other Matters.................................... 288
Section 661. Eligibility of reserves for benefits for
illness, injury, or death incurred or aggravated in
line of duty........................................... 288
Section 662. Travel and transportation allowances for
dependents before approval of a member's court-martial
sentence............................................... 289
Section 663. Eligibility of members of the uniformed
services for reimbursement of adoption expenses........ 289
Other Items of Interest...................................... 289
Health Professions Scholarship Program.................. 289
Review of the Quadrennial Review of Military
Compensation........................................... 290
Title VII--Health Care Provisions................................ 291
Section 701. Waiver of deductibles, copayments, and
annual fees for members assigned to certain duty
locations far from sources of care..................... 291
Section 702. Payment for emergency health care overseas
for military and civilian personnel of the On-Site
Inspection Agency...................................... 292
Section 703. Disclosures of cautionary information on
prescription medications............................... 292
Section 704. Health care services for certain Reserves
who served in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf
War.................................................... 292
Section 705. Collection of dental insurance premiums..... 293
Section 706. Dental insurance plan coverage for retirees
of uniformed service in the Public Health Service and
NOAA................................................... 293
Section 707. Prosthetic devices for dependents........... 293
Other Items of Interest...................................... 293
Continued operation of the Uniformed Services University
of the Health Sciences................................. 293
Dental research and development.......................... 294
Graduate School of Nursing building at the Uniformed
Services University of the Health Sciences............. 294
Health care provisions................................... 294
Maintenance medication dispensing policy................. 296
Programs related to breast and prostate cancer........... 297
Telemedicine in TRICARE Region 7......................... 297
Title VIII--Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and
Related Matters................................................ 299
Subtitle A--Amendments to General Contracting Authorities,
Procedures, and Limitations................................ 300
Section 801. Streamlined approval requirements for
contracts under international agreements............... 300
Section 802. Restriction on undefinitized contract
actions................................................ 300
Section 803. Expansion of authority to cross fiscal years
to all severable service contracts not exceeding a year 300
Section 804. Limitation on allowability of compensation
for certain contractor personnel....................... 301
Section 805. Increased price limitation on purchases of
right-hand drive vehicles.............................. 301
Section 806. Conversion of defense capability
preservation authority to Navy shipbuilding capability
preservation authority................................. 302
Section 807. Elimination of certification requirement for
grants................................................. 302
Section 808. Repeal of limitation on adjustment of
shipbuilding contracts................................. 302
Subtitle B--Contract Provisions.............................. 302
Section 811. Contractor guarantees of major systems...... 302
Section 812. Vesting of title in the United States under
contracts paid under progress payment arrangements or
similar arrangements................................... 303
Subtitle C--Acquisition Assistance Programs.................. 303
Section 821. Procurement technical assistance programs... 303
Section 822. One-year extension of Pilot Mentor-Protege
Program................................................ 303
Section 823. Test program for negotiation of
comprehensive subcontracting plans..................... 304
Section 824. Price preference for small and disadvantaged
businesses............................................. 304
Subtitle D--Administrative Provisions........................ 304
Section 831. Retention of expired funds during the
pendency of contract litigation........................ 304
Section 832. Protection of certain information from
disclosure............................................. 305
Section 833. Content of limited selected acquisition
reports................................................ 305
Section 834. Unit cost reports........................... 305
Section 835. Central Department of Defense point of
contact for contracting information.................... 305
Subtitle E--Other Matters.................................... 305
Section 841. Defense business combinations............... 305
Section 842. Lease of nonexcess property of Defense
Agencies............................................... 306
Section 843. Promotion rate for officers in an
Acquisition Corps...................................... 306
Other Items of Interest...................................... 307
Multiple award task order and delivery order contracts... 307
Title IX--Department of Defense Organization and Management...... 309
Section 901. Principal duty of Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity
Conflict............................................... 309
Section 902. Professional military education schools..... 309
Section 903. Use of CINC Initiative Fund for force
protection............................................. 309
Section 904. Transfer of TIARA programs.................. 310
Other Items of Interest...................................... 310
Department of Defense Inspector General staffing levels.. 310
Title X--General Provisions...................................... 311
Subtitle A--Financial Matters................................ 311
Section 1003. Authorization of prior emergency
supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 1997....... 311
Section 1004. Increased transfer authority for fiscal
year 1996 authorizations............................... 311
Section 1005. Biennial financial management strategic
plan................................................... 311
Section 1006. Revision of authority for Fisher House
Trust Funds............................................ 311
Section 1007. Availability of certain fiscal year 1991
funds for payment of contract claim.................... 312
Section 1008. Estimates and requests for procurement and
military construction for the reserve components....... 312
Subtitle B--Naval Vessels and Shipyards...................... 312
Section 1011. Long-term charter of vessel for
surveillance towed array sensor program................ 312
Section 1012. Procedures for sale of vessels stricken
from the Naval Vessel Register......................... 313
Section 1013. Transfers of naval vessels to certain
foreign countries...................................... 313
Subtitle C--Counter-Drug Activities.......................... 313
Ongoing Initiatives...................................... 314
Riverine Interdiction Initiative......................... 315
Subtitle D--Reports and Studies.............................. 316
Section 1031. Repeal of reporting requirements........... 316
Section 1032. Common measurement of operations and
personnel tempo........................................ 316
Section 1033. Report on overseas deployment.............. 316
Section 1034. Report on military readiness requirements
of the Armed Forces.................................... 317
Section 1035. Assessment of cyclical readiness posture of
the Armed Forces....................................... 318
Section 1036. Overseas infrastructure requirements....... 318
Section 1037. Report on aircraft inventory............... 318
Section 1038. Disposal of excess materials............... 319
Section 1039. Review of former spouse protections........ 319
Section 1040. Completion of GAO reports for Congress..... 319
Subtitle E--Other Matters.................................... 319
Section 1051. Psychotherapist-patient privilege in the
Military Rules of Evidence............................. 319
Section 1052. National Guard Civilian Youth Opportunities
Pilot Program.......................................... 320
Section 1053. Protection of Armed Forces personnel during
peace operations....................................... 320
Section 1054. Limitation on retirement or dismantlement
of strategic nuclear delivery systems.................. 320
Section 1055. Acceptance and use of landing fees for use
of overseas military airfields by civil aircraft....... 320
Section 1056. One-year extension of international
nonproliferation initiative............................ 321
Section 1057. Assistance for facilities subject to
inspection under the Chemical Weapons Convention....... 321
Chemical Weapons Convention.............................. 321
Emergency Health Care for OSIA Inspectors................ 322
Section 1058. Sense of Senate regarding the relationship
between environmental laws and United States'
obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. (See
report language in Section 107)........................ 322
Section 1059. Sense of Congress regarding funding for
reserve component modernization not requested in the
annual budget request.................................. 322
Section 1060. Authority of Secretary of Defense to settle
claims relating to pay, allowances, and other benefits. 323
Section 1061. Coordination of access of commanders and
deployed units to intelligence collected and analyzed
by the intelligence community.......................... 323
Section 1062. Protection of imagery, imagery
intelligence, and geospatial information and data...... 324
Section 1063. Protection of air safety information
voluntarily provided by a charter air carrier.......... 324
Section 1064. Sustainment and operation of Global
Positioning System..................................... 324
Section 1065. Law enforcement authority for special
agents of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service... 325
Section 1066. Repeal of requirement for continued
operation of the Naval Academy dairy farm.............. 326
Section 1067. POW/MIA intelligence analysis cell......... 326
Section 1068. Protection of employees from retaliation
for certain disclosures of classified information...... 327
Section 1069. Applicability of certain pay authorities to
members of the Commission on Service Members and
Veterans Transition Assistance......................... 327
Section 1070. Transfer of B-17 aircraft to museum........ 328
Section 1071. Five-year extension of aviation insurance
program................................................ 328
Section 1072. Treatment of military flight operations.... 328
Section 1073. Naturalization of foreign nationals who
served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United
States................................................. 329
Section 1074. Designation of Bob Hope as honorary veteran 329
Other Items of Interest...................................... 329
Airborne strategic command and control................... 329
Commercial satellite communications...................... 330
Department of Defense Education Technology Initiative
(DoDETI)............................................... 331
Department of Defense space management................... 331
Department of Defense strategy for curtailing spousal
abuse involving members of the armed forces............ 332
Global Positioning System alternate master control
station................................................ 332
International border security............................ 332
Orbital debris and the environmental restoration of space 333
Safety of strategic nuclear forces....................... 333
Title XI--Department of Defense Civilian Personnel............... 335
Section 1101. Use of prohibited constraints to manage
Department of Defense personnel........................ 335
Section 1102. Employment of civilian faculty at the
Marine Corps University................................ 335
Section 1103. Extension and revision of voluntary
separation incentive pay authority..................... 336
Section 1104. Repeal of deadline for placement
consideration of involuntarily separated military
reserve technicians.................................... 336
Section 1105. Rate of pay of Department of Defense
overseas teacher upon transfer to General Schedule
position............................................... 336
Section 1106. Naturalization of employees of the George
C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies....... 336
Other Items of Interest...................................... 336
Health plan for nonappropriated fund employees........... 336
Leadership............................................... 336
Modernization and regionalization of civilian personnel
management functions................................... 337
Division B--Military Construction Authorities
Committee Action................................................. 339
Base closure and realignment accounts............................ 353
Title XXI--Army.................................................. 361
Summary.......................................................... 361
Section 2101. Authorized Army construction and land
acquisition projects................................... 361
Section 2102. Family housing............................. 361
Section 2103. Improvements to military family housing
units.................................................. 361
Section 2104. Authorization of appropriations, Army...... 361
Section 2105. Authority to use certain prior year funds
to construct a heliport at Fort Irwin, California...... 361
Other Items of Interest...................................... 361
Funding for restoration of Forest Glen Annex, Walter Reed
Army Medical Center.................................... 361
Planning and design, Army................................ 362
Title XXII--Navy................................................. 363
Summary...................................................... 363
Section 2201. Authorized Navy construction and land
acquisition projects................................... 363
Section 2202. Family housing............................. 363
Section 2203. Improvements to military family housing
units.................................................. 363
Section 2204. Authorization of appropriations, Navy...... 363
Section 2205. Authorization of military construction
project at Pascagoula Naval Station, Mississippi, for
which funds have been appropriated..................... 363
Other Items of Interest...................................... 363
Planning and design, Navy................................ 363
Title XXIII--Air Force........................................... 365
Summary...................................................... 365
Section 2301. Authorized Air Force construction and land
acquisition projects................................... 365
Section 2302. Family housing............................. 365
Section 2303. Improvements to military family housing
units.................................................. 365
Section 2304. Authorization of appropriations, Air Force. 365
Section 2305. Authorization of military construction
project at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, for which
funds have been appropriated........................... 365
Title XXIV--Defense Agencies..................................... 367
Summary...................................................... 367
Section 2401. Authorized Defense Agencies construction
and land acquisition projects.......................... 367
Section 2402. Military housing planning and design....... 367
Section 2403. Improvements to military family housing
units.................................................. 367
Section 2404. Energy conservation projects............... 367
Section 2405. Authorization of appropriations, Defense
Agencies............................................... 367
Section 2406. Clarification of authority relating to
fiscal year 1997 project at Naval Station, Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii......................................... 367
Section 2407. Authority to use prior year funds to carry
out certain Defense Agency military construction
projects............................................... 368
Section 2408. Modification of authority to carry out
fiscal year 1995 projects.............................. 368
Section 2409. Availability of funds for fiscal year 1995
project relating to relocatable over-the-horizon radar,
Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico............. 368
Title XXV-North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment
Program........................................................ 369
Summary...................................................... 369
Section 2501. Authorized NATO construction and land
acquisition projects................................... 369
Section 2502. Authorization of appropriations, NATO...... 369
Title XXVI-Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities................... 371
Summary...................................................... 371
Section 2601. Authorized Guard and Reserve construction
and land acquisition projects.......................... 371
Section 2602. Authorization of Army National Guard
construction project, aviation support facility, Hilo,
Hawaii, for which funds have been appropriated......... 371
Other Items of Interest...................................... 371
Army aviation operating facility, Bethel, Alaska......... 371
Planning and design, Guard and Reserve Forces facilities. 372
Air National Guard....................................... 372
Army Reserve............................................. 372
Title XXVII--Expiration and Extention of Authorizations.......... 373
Section 2701. Expiration of authorizations and amounts
required to be specified by law............................ 373
Section 2702. Extension of authorizations of certain fiscal
year 1995 projects......................................... 373
Section 2703. Extension of authorizations of certain fiscal
year 1994 projects......................................... 373
Section 2704. Extension of authorization of fiscal year 1993
projects................................................... 373
Section 2705. Extension of authorizations of certain fiscal
year 1992 projects......................................... 373
Section 2706. Effective date................................. 373
Title XXVIII--General Provisions................................. 375
Subtitle A--Military Construction Program and Military Family
Housing Changes............................................ 375
Section 2801. Increase in ceiling for minor land
acquisition projects................................... 375
Section 2802. Sale of utility systems of the military
departments............................................ 375
Section 2803. Administrative expenses for certain real
property transactions.................................. 375
Section 2804. Use of financial incentives for energy
savings and water cost savings......................... 376
Subtitle B--Land Conveyances................................. 376
Section 2811. Modification of authority for disposal of
certain real property, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.......... 376
Section 2812. Correction of land conveyance authority,
Army Reserve Center, Anderson, South Carolina.......... 376
Section 2813. Land conveyance, Hawthorne Army Ammunition
Depot, Mineral County, Nevada.......................... 376
Section 2814. Long-term lease of property, Naples, Italy. 377
Section 2815. Land conveyance, Topsham Annex, Naval Air
Station, Brunswick, Maine.............................. 377
Section 2816. Land conveyance, Naval Weapons Industrial
Reserve Plant No. 464, Oyster Bay, New York............ 377
Section 2817. Land conveyance, Charleston Family Housing
Complex, Bangor, Maine................................. 377
Section 2818. Land conveyance, Ellsworth Air Force Base,
South Dakota........................................... 378
Subtitle C--Other matters.................................... 378
Section 2831. Disposition of proceeds of sale of Air
Force Plant No. 78, Brigham City, Utah................. 378
Other Items of Interest...................................... 378
Report on land use, Navy Air Station, Brunswick, Maine... 378
Division C--Department of Energy National Security Authorizations and
Other Authorizations
Title XXXI--Department of Energy National Security Programs...... 381
Subtitle A--National Security Programs Authorizations........ 404
Section 3101. Weapons activities..................... 404
Stockpile stewardship programs....................... 404
Stockpile management programs........................ 405
Program Direction.................................... 405
Section 3102. Environmental restoration and waste
management......................................... 406
Environmental Restoration............................ 406
Waste Management..................................... 406
Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization.......... 406
Technology Development............................... 406
Environmental Management Science Program............. 407
Program Direction.................................... 407
Policy Office........................................ 407
Project Closure Account.............................. 407
Privatization........................................ 407
Section 3103. Other defense activities............... 408
Nonproliferation and verification research and
development........................................ 408
Russian Reactor Core Conversion Program.............. 408
Chemical and Biological Research and Development
Activities......................................... 409
International Nuclear Safety Program................. 410
Nuclear Smuggling and Counterterrorism............... 410
Scientific Exchanges between the United States and
China and Russia................................... 411
Materials, Protection, Control and Accountability.... 412
Naval Reactors....................................... 412
Declassification Productivity Initiative............. 413
Section 3104. Defense environmental management
privatization.......................................... 413
Section 3105. Defense nuclear waste disposal............. 414
Subtitle B--Recurring General Provisions..................... 414
Section 3121. Reprogramming.............................. 414
Section 3122. Limits on general plant projects........... 414
Section 3123. Limits on construction projects............ 414
Section 3124.00Fund transfer authority................... 414
Section 3125. Authority for conceptual and construction
design................................................. 414
Section 3126. Authority for emergency planning, design,
and construction activities............................ 415
Section 3127. Funds available for all national security
programs of the Department of Energy................... 415
Section 3128. Availability of funds...................... 415
Subtitle C--Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and
Limitations................................................ 414
Section 3131. Defense environmental management
privatization projects................................. 415
Section 3132. International cooperative stockpile
stewardship programs................................... 416
Section 3133. Modernization of enduring nuclear weapons
complex................................................ 416
Section 3134. Tritium production......................... 417
Section 3135. Processing, treatment, and disposition of
spent nuclear fuel rods and other legacy nuclear
materials at the Savannah River Site................... 418
Section 3136. Limitations on use of funds for laboratory
directed research and development purposes............. 419
Section 3137. Permanent authority for transfers of
defense environmental management funds................. 420
Section 3138. Prohibition on recovery of certain
additional costs for environmental response actions
associated with the Formerly Utilized Site Remedial
Action Project program................................. 420
Subtitle D--Other Matters.................................... 420
Section 3151. Administration of certain Department of
Energy Activities...................................... 420
Section 3152. Modification and extension of authority
relating to appointment of certain scientific,
engineering, and technical personnel................... 420
Section 3153. Annual report on plan and program for
stewardship, management, and certification of warheads
in the nuclear weapons stockpile....................... 421
Section 3154. Submittal of biennial waste management
reports................................................ 421
Section 3155. Repeal of obsolete reporting requirements.. 421
Section 3156. Commission on safeguarding and security of
nuclear weapons and materials at Department of Energy
facilities............................................. 422
Section 3157. Modification of authority on commission on
maintaining United States nuclear weapons expertise.... 422
Section 3158. Land transfer, Bandelier National Monument. 422
Other Items of Interest...................................... 423
Asset disposition........................................ 423
Cuban nuclear reactors................................... 423
Environmental Science Program............................ 423
Federally Funded Research and Development Centers........ 424
Fissile Materials Disposition........................... 425
Funding for Greenville Road Improvement Project,
Livermore California................................... 425
Improving collaboration between the Department of
Defense and Department of Energy laboratories.......... 425
Interagency acquisitions done under the Economy Act..... 426
National Defense Fixed Assets Acquisition............... 427
Reports on alternative fuel and renewable energy
technologies for military applications................. 427
Report on Idaho Radioactive Waste Management Complex
Cleanup................................................ 428
Report on incentives for highly creative and innovative
laboratory scientists and engineers.................... 428
Robotics and Intelligent Machines Initiative............ 428
Supply of radiation-hardened microelectronics........... 429
Technical exchange on defense-related transportation
technologies........................................... 429
Title XXXII--Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board............. 431
Section 3201. Authorization.............................. 431
Title XXXIII--National Defense Stockpile......................... 433
Title XXXIV--Naval Petroleum Reserves............................ 435
Title XXXV--Panama Canal Commission.............................. 437
Subtitle A--Authorization of Expenditures from Revolving Fund 437
Subtitle B--Facilitation of Panama Canal Transition.......... 437
Section 3511. Short title; references.................... 437
Section 3512. Definitions relating to Canal transition... 437
Part I--Transition Matters Relating to Commission Officers
and Employees.............................................. 437
Section 3521. Authority for the Administrator of the
Commission to accept appointment as the Administrator
of the Panama Canal Authority.......................... 437
Section 3522. Post-Canal transfer personnel authorities.. 438
Section 3523. Enhanced authority of Commission to
establish compensation of Commission officers and
employees.............................................. 438
Section 3524. Travel, transportation, and subsistence
expenses for Commission personnel no longer subject to
Federal Travel Regulation.............................. 438
Section 3525. Enhanced recruitment and retention
authorities............................................ 438
Section 3526. Transition separation incentive payments... 439
Section 3527. Labor-management relations................. 439
Section 3528. Availability of Panama Canal Revolving Fund
for severance pay for certain employees separated by
Panama Canal Authority after Canal Transfer Date....... 440
Part II--Transition Matters Relating to Operation and
Administration of Canal.................................... 440
Section 3541. Establishment of procurement system and
board of contract appeals.............................. 440
Section 3542. Transactions with the Panama Canal
Authority.............................................. 440
Section 3543. Time limitations on filing of claims for
damages................................................ 441
Section 3544. Tolls for small vessels.................... 441
Section 3545. Date of actuarial evaluation of FECA
liability.............................................. 441
Section 3546. Notaries public............................ 441
Section 3547. Commercial services........................ 441
Section 3548. Transfer from President to Commission of
certain regulatory functions relating to employment
classification appeals................................. 442
Section 3549. Enhanced printing authority................ 442
Section 3550. Technical and conforming amendments........ 442
Legislative Requirements......................................... 443
Departmental Recommendations..................................... 443
Committee Action................................................. 443
Fiscal Data...................................................... 443
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................ 446
Regulatory Impact................................................ 446
Changes in Existing Law.......................................... 446
Additional Views of Senator John McCain.......................... 447
Additional Views of Senator James M. Inhofe...................... 454
Additional Views of Senator Carl Levin........................... 456
Additional Views of Senator Edward M. Kennedy.................... 462
Additional Views of Senator Jeff Bingaman........................ 463
Additional Views of Senator John Glenn........................... 466
Additional Views of Senator Max Cleland.......................... 469
105th Congress Report
SENATE
1st Session 105-29
_______________________________________________________________________
AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998 FOR MILITARY ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, FOR MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AND FOR DEFENSE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, TO PRESCRIBE PERSONNEL STRENGTHS FOR SUCH FISCAL YEAR FOR THE ARMED FORCES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
_______
June 17, 1997.--Ordered to be printed
_______________________________________________________________________
Mr. Thurmond, from the Committee on Armed Services, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
[To accompany S. 924]
The Committee on Armed Services reports favorably an
original bill to authorize appropriations during the fiscal
year 1998 for military activities of the Department of Defense,
for military construction, and for defense activities of the
Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such
fiscal year for the armed forces, and for other purposes, and
recommends that the bill do pass.
PURPOSE OF THE BILL
This bill would:
(1) authorize appropriations for (a) procurement, (b)
research, development, test and evaluation, (c)
operation and maintenance and the revolving and
management funds of the Department of Defense for
fiscal year 1998;
(2) authorize the personnel end strengths for each
military active duty component of the armed forces for
fiscal year 1998;
(3) authorize the personnel end strengths for the
Selected Reserve of each of the reserve components of
the armed forces for fiscal year 1998;
(4) authorize the annual average military training
student loads for the active and reserve components of
the armed forces for fiscal year 1998;
(5) impose certain reporting requirements;
(6) impose certain limitations with regard to
specific procurement and research, development, test
and evaluation actions and manpower strengths; provide
certain additional legislative authority, and make
certain changes to existing law;
(7) authorize appropriations for military
construction programs of the Department of Defense for
fiscal year 1998; and
(8) authorize appropriations for national security
programs of the Department of Energy for fiscal year
1998.
Committee overview and recommendations
National security remains the federal government's most
important obligation to its citizens. The Committee on Armed
Services recognizes its critical role within the Senate in
carrying out the powers relating to national security set out
below which are granted to Congress in the Constitution:
To declare war.
To raise and support Armies.
To provide and maintain a Navy.
To make rules for the government and regulation of
the Land and Naval forces.
To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining
the militia.
To give its advice and consent to treaties and to the
nominations of Officers of the United States.
The members of the committee further understand the
importance of the committee's jurisdiction within the Senate
over matters relating to the ``common defense,'' the Department
of Defense, the Military Departments, and the national security
programs of the Department of Energy.
The budget agreement reached this year represents a
historic endeavor by the Congress and the President to reach a
balanced budget by fiscal year 2002. While the budget agreement
protects our military forces from unrealistic and unwise cuts,
the committee remains concerned that the funding levels for
defense may not provide sufficient funds to adequately sustain
over time the current force levels as well as the personnel,
quality of life, readiness, and modernization programs critical
to our military services. The committee intends that the
achievement of a balanced budget will not adversely affect the
readiness and capabilities of our military forces and will
endeavor, within thefunds agreed upon for defense in the budget
agreement, to ensure their essential readiness and capabilities.
Changes in the world situation or threat, and adverse impacts from
funding shortfalls on general readiness or on vital operational
capabilities, are among the trends that might indicate a requirement
for additional funds for defense. In such cases, the committee believes
that national security requirements must take precedence over lesser
priorities within the budget.
As the committee embarked on its legislative
responsibilities for the 105th Congress, the Chairman
established a set of national security priorities to guide the
committee through the authorization process for fiscal year
1998.
In the Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 1998, the
committee worked to achieve an appropriate balance between
near-term and long-term readiness through investments in
modernization, infrastructure and research; maintenance of
sufficient end-strengths at all grade levels and policies
supporting the recruitment and retention of high quality
personnel; fielding of the types and quantities of weapons
systems and equipment needed to fight and win decisively with
minimal risk to our troops; and ensuring an adequate, safe and
reliable nuclear weapons capability.
The committee modified the budget request to improve
operations and achieve greater efficiencies and savings. The
committee sought to eliminate defense spending that does not
contribute directly to the national security of the United
States. Savings were realized by accelerating programs where
appropriate, and by limiting new program starts.
The committee worked to protect the quality of life of our
military personnel and their families. Quality of life
initiatives include provisions designed to provide equitable
pay and benefits to military personnel, including a 2.8 percent
pay raise to protect against inflation, and the restoration of
appropriate levels of funding for the construction and
maintenance of troop billets and military family housing. This
year, the committee increased funding for the repair and
maintenance of barracks and dormitories to help alleviate
critical funding problems in these areas.
The committee remains concerned about military readiness,
particularly with the underfunding of flying hours accounts in
the Department of Defense. To ensure that U.S. armed forces
remain the preeminent military power in the world, readiness
requirements must be adequately funded, including sufficient
opportunities to train.
The committee notes with concern the continuing migration
of modernization funds to operations and maintenance accounts.
The committee believes a more robust, progressive modernization
effort will not only provide capabilities requisite for future
military operations, but will lower future operational and
maintenance costs as well.
The committee has increased investment in the broad
spectrum of research and development activities to ensure that
United States military forces remain superior in technology to
any potential adversary. The committee believes that effective
development of advanced technologies will be a key factor in
determining the victors on future battlefields. A program of
stable, long-term investment in science and technology will
remain vital to United States dominance of combat on land, at
sea, in the air, and in space.
The committee also directed a more detailed programming and
budgeting process for the reserve components. Efforts by this
committee over the last several years have been unsuccessful in
requiring proper programming and budgeting for the reserve
components. The Department of Defense continues to provide
testimony on the importance of these components, but has failed
to provide the necessary resources to ensure their
effectiveness. The utilization and effectiveness of reserve
component forces are dependent on proper funding to reduce the
backlog in maintenance and repair of equipment; adequately fund
an appropriate quantity and quality of training; enhance
infrastructure and base operations programs; and support
efforts maintaining adequate stocks of supplies, repair parts,
fuel, and ammunition.
The Department's Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) is based
on a strategy which retains the requirement for a capability to
fight two concurrent major regional contingencies. However,
even with the higher funding provided in the outyears of the
budget agreement, the QDR recommends force structure reductions
of up to 130,000 military personnel as well as reductions in
key modernization programs in order to provide funds for
essential modernization. The committee is concerned that a
mismatch may develop between the strategy and actual force
capability.
Finally, the committee sought to accelerate the development
and deployment of theater missile defense systems and to
provide adequate funding for a national missile defense system
to preserve the option to deploy such a system in fiscal year
2003. This bill also supports expeditious deployment of land
and sea-based theater missile defense systems to protect U.S.
and allied forces against the growing threat of cruise and
ballistic missiles.
The committee intends that, within the balanced budget
agreement, we will provide adequately for our men and women in
uniform to defend our nation. The committee will continue to
examine the adequacy of the funds we allocate to our national
security. At the same time, we must search for ways to improve
the efficiency and effectiveness of our defense establishment--
especially in the support structure--so that we can achieve
savings to devote to the cutting edge of our military combat
forces.
During the past several months, the committee has worked in
its traditional bipartisan manner, placing the national
security interests of the United States and the American people
above other considerations. The National Defense Authorization
Bill for Fiscal Year 1998 reflects a bipartisan approach to
these priorities, and provides a clear basis and direction for
U.S.national security policies and programs into the 21st
century.
Explanation of funding summary
The administration's budget request for the national
defense function of the federal budget for fiscal year 1998 was
$265.3 billion, of which $195.8 billion was for programs which
require specific funding authorization.
The committee's authorization recommendation is
substantially larger ($268.2 billion in budget authority) than
the amount requested. The primary reason for this difference is
that the committee authorized an additional $4.2 billion in
procurement and $1.0 billion in Research and Development.
The following table summarizes both the direct
authorizations and equivalent budget authority levels for
fiscal year 1998 defense programs. The columns relating to the
authorization request do not include funding for the following
items: military personnel funding; military construction
authorizations provided in prior years; and other small
portions of the defense budget that are not within the
jurisdiction of this committee or which do not require an
annual authorization. As explained above, funding for military
personnel is included in the amounts authorized by the
committee, but not in the total funding requested for
authorization.
Funding for all programs in the national defense function
is reflected in the columns relating to the budget authority
request and the total budget authority implication of the
authorizations in this bill. The committee recommends funding
for national defense programs totaling $268.2 billion in budget
authority, which is consistent with the fiscal year 1998 Budget
Resolution, an increase of $2.6 billion above the President's
budget request.
Offset Folios 35 to 39 Insert here
<SKIP PAGES = 005>
DIVISION A--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS
TITLE I--PROCUREMENT
Last year the committee registered its concern over the
continued deferral of procurement and again noted
administration promises of a better future and the contrasting
reality of each year's budget request. The fiscal year 1998
request has an altogether too familiar theme of a better future
while requesting reductions and restructures for the current
year. The defense budget has been reduced drastically since
1985 and the downward trend continues with no sign of
improvement.
The recently released Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR)
avoided the question of modernization in the near term by
making program reductions beyond the future years defense
program (FYDP). The committee notes with concern that the
panel's proposal to meet future modernization requirements
relies on savings and efficiencies that may never be realized.
The budget submitted by the administration does not provide
the resources to equip the forces it says are needed for
national security. This administration has once again prompted
the committee to act to enhance modernization and future
readiness of the military services.
Last year, the committee gave priority to buying basics,
investing to achieve savings, and investing in the future. This
year, the committee has again adhered to this strategy. The
committee's emphasis on acquiring equipment in economic lots
and on efficient schedules is evident throughout this report.
The committee continues to look for the Department of
Defense and the individual services to provide essential
modernization support to the reserve components. The committee
has observed an apparent inability of the Department to include
minimum reserve component modernization requirements in the
FYDP. The committee believes it essential for both the active
and reserve components to work together to identify and fund
modernization of reserve component units that have served the
Department and this nation so well in both domestic and
overseas operations. As a result of the balanced budget
agreement, future budgets will provide fewer opportunities for
the Congress to supplement historically inadequate budget
requests and address reserve component shortfalls. Both active
and reserve components must recognize the criticality of a
collective modernization plan in lieu of a segmented and
unaffordable program, and take steps now toward that end.
Explanation of tables
The tables in this title display items requested by
theadministration for fiscal year 1998 for which the committee either
increased or decreased the requested amounts. As in the past, the
administration may not exceed the amounts approved by the committee (as
set forth in the tables or, if unchanged from the administration
request, as set forth in the Department of Defense's budget
justification documents) without a reprogramming action in accordance
with established procedures. Unless noted explicitly in the report, all
changes are made without prejudice.
SUBTITLE A--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
Section 107. Chemical Demilitarization Program.
The budget request included $741.2 million for the chemical
agents and munitions destruction program for operations and
maintenance ($472.2 million), procurement ($82.2 million),
research and development ($66.3 million), and military
construction ($120.5 million).
The committee recommends a $5.0 million reduction to the
budget request for operations and maintenance, a $5.0 million
reduction to the budget request for procurement, and a $4.0
million increase to the budget request for research and
development to accelerate the development and fielding of the
Army's mobile munitions assessment system.
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
On April 29, 1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
entered into force, with the United States as a party. With the
entry into force of the CWC, the United States is now obligated
by international law to destroy its unitary chemical stockpile,
binary chemical weapons, recovered chemical weapons, and former
chemical weapons production facilities by April 29, 2007, and
its miscellaneous chemical warfare materiel by April 29, 2002.
The United States is required by the Convention to declare, 180
days after entry into force to the Organization for the
Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the method of
destruction that it will use to destroy its chemical weapons.
In 1985, the Congress directed the Army to destroy its
unitary stockpile because it was obsolete and becoming
unstable. As a result, the Army developed a plan to incinerate
the chemical agents and munitions on-site at the eight sites in
the United States and on Johnston Atoll in the Pacific.
The U.S. chemical stockpile also includes what is called
``nonstockpile'' chemical warfare materiel. Most of this
materiel dates back as far as World War II and includes the
binary chemical weapons, miscellaneous chemical warfare
materiel, recovered chemical weapons, former production
facilities, and buried chemical warfare materiel. Under
direction by the Congress, in 1992 the Army established the
Nonstockpile Chemical Materiel Program, a plan to dispose of
the chemical weapons materiel not stored in the eight chemical
stockpile sites.
The United States is committed to destroying its chemical
stockpile and related warfare materiel. To date, of the 31,500
tons in the U.S. chemical stockpile, 1,600 tons in the
stockpile located at Johnston Atoll and Tooele, Utah, have been
destroyed. Despite the recent success, the Congress remains
concerned about the cost and schedule for the destruction
program. A key factor in the progress of the program is the
continuing disagreement between the affected states and
localities and the Department of Defense on the method of
destruction to be used.
The committee remains concerned about the program cost and
the ability of the Army to meet the destruction deadline for
the unitary and nonstockpile items by the time frame indicated
in the CWC. The cost increases and schedule delays of the
Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program are driven largely by the
ability of the Army to obtain environmental permits for the
construction and operation of the disposal facilities and
compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
Currently, the combined life-cycle cost estimate for
disposal of the unitary and nonstockpile programs is $27.6
billion, which includes $12.4 billion for the chemical
stockpile disposal program and $15.2 billion for the
nonstockpile chemical materiel program. The estimated life-
cycle cost for the two programs does not include the costs of
dismantling the nine chemical destruction facilities, as
required by the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal
Year 1986 (P.L. 99-145).
It has historically taken the Army longer than anticipated
to reach agreement with the states and local communities to
obtain the necessary permits for construction and operation of
the facilities. Of the nine proposed destruction facilities,
two have been built and are operating: one is located on
Johnston Atoll in the Pacific and the other facility is located
at Tooele, Utah. For example, the Army originally anticipated
that it would obtain permits for the systemization operation of
the Tooele, Utah, facility by 1992. However, permits were not
received and systemization operations at the Tooele Chemical
Agent Disposal Facility did not begin until August 1993, 17
months later than anticipated. The actual destruction of the
chemical stockpile located at Tooele began in August 1996.
Based on a report prepared by the General Accounting
Office, the programs are likely to cost more than the estimated
$27.6 billion planned for the two programs, because of delays
in obtaining the permits for construction and operation of the
facilities. The Committee believes it is necessary for the
President to become more involved in the process at the
federal, state and local levels, to overcome the significant
delays in obtaining the necessary permits. In this regard, the
committee recommends a provision that expresses its concern
that the United States ensures that it complies with its
obligations under the CWC and not place the U.S. in
anticipatory breach of its obligations. The committee also
recommends that the President submit to Congress a report 180
days after enactment of this Acton the steps being taken to
ensure compliance with the destruction obligations of the CWC. The
report should also include a review of steps taken by the Army to
minimize the escalating cost of the disposal program, as well as
potential cost reduction initiatives.
Russian Ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention
The committee is extremely disappointed by the failure of
the Russian Duma to ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention,
prior to its entry into force on April 29, 1997. To date, the
Congress has approved $145.5 million in the Cooperative Threat
Reduction (CTR) program to assist the Russian government in
destroying its chemical weapons stockpile. The committee would
emphasize that it does not believe it is the responsibility of
the United States to provide substantial financial assistance,
or financial guarantees, to Russia to entice it to ratify the
CWC. In short, the committee believes it is Russia's
responsibility to finance the implementation of its arms
control agreements.
SUBTITLE B--ARMY PROGRAMS
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Section 111. Army helicopter modernization plan.
The Committee recommends a provision that would limit the
expenditure of more than 25 percent of funds authorized for
modifications or upgrades to aircraft until such time as the
Army provides an assessment of aviation requirements and
reports on future modernization programs. The committee is very
concerned about the lack of a definitive modernization plan for
the utility helicopter fleet. While the Army has outstanding
requirements for Blackhawk utility helicopters, it has failed
to ensure that modernization requirements are funded in the
future years defense program (FYDP) and continues to look for
the Congress to address modernization shortfalls each year.
The committee questions the Army's decision to cease
procurement of Blackhawk helicopters without establishing a
viable and funded plan to address an aging UH-1 Huey helicopter
fleet. The committee notes proposals to buy an undetermined
amount of additional Blackhawks, proposals to re-engine UH-1
aircraft with Comanche engines, and proposals to conduct a
service life extent program (SLEP) for UH-1 aircraft. While the
committee remains supportive of Army rotary wing aircraft
modernization, the committee is hesitant to support any
specific investment strategy until an overall budget plan is
provided.
The recommended provision requires the Army to conduct an
assessment of current and projected requirements, establish a
baseline program for both new aircraft procurement and aircraft
modification requirements, provide a plan for service extension
programs, display aircraft retirement plans, and assess the
implications of Army plans and funding for aircraft on the
defense industrial base. Critical to this effort is the
requirement for the Secretary of the Army to certify that the
program highlighted in this report will be funded in the Future
Years Defense Program (FYDP).
Section 112. Multiyear procurement authority for AH-64D Longbow Apache
fire control radar.
The committee recommends a provision that would authorize
the Army to enter into a multiyear procurement contract,
beginning in fiscal year 1998, for procurement of the AH-64D
Longbow Fire Control Radar. The committee understands that this
action can be accomplished with existing funds for this program
and that this multiyear authority will ultimately reduce
program costs.
OTHER ARMY PROGRAMS
Army Aircraft
C-XX(UC-35)
The budget request did not include funds for UC-35A
aircraft (formerly known as the C-XX). The UC-35A is a fast,
medium range air transport aircraft. The Army has a requirement
for 35 UC-35A's, and has a total of seven either on order or
delivered.
Noting that there is an approved Mission Needs Statement
and Operational Requirements Document to support the program,
and that the Army has programmed for the procurement of the
aircraft in the outyears, the committee recommends an increase
of $23.0 million to procure an additional five UC-35A aircraft
in fiscal year 1998.
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters
The budget request included $183.2 million to procure 18
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. The committee notes that there is
an existing multiyear contract for 18 aircraft per year with an
option for an additional 18 aircraft at significantly lower
cost. The committee strongly supports an additional 18 aircraft
in fiscal year 1998 to support the industrial base until end-
state requirements can be identified after the Quadrennial
Defense Review process is complete. If additional Blackhawk
aircraft are required after the fiscal year 1998 buy, the
pending Navy procurement along with supplemental Army
participation could serve as a basis for increased procurement
based on the currently authorized multi-year contract. In order
to meet production rate requirements and span the gap between
requirements and inventory, the committee recommends an
additional $127.3 million to procure a total of 36 aircraft in
fiscal year 1998. It is expected that procurement of these
aircraft will result in a corresponding fielding of 36 UH-60
aircraft from the Army to priority Army National Guard units.
CH-47 cargo helicopter
The committee is concerned about the significant funding
shortfalls in aircraft modernization accounts. Given a priority
unfunded medium cargo helicopter requirement for the Army
Reserve, the committee recommends an increase of $45.0 million
to procure and support the fielding of two new CH-47 aircraft
to the Army Reserve. The committee strongly encourages the Army
to resource additional requirements in subsequent budget
requests in accordance with its aircraft modernization plan.
UH-1 modifications
The budget request included $4.7 million to resource new
navigation and communication avionics for UH-1 helicopters. The
committee continues to be very concerned about the current and
projected state of the Army utility helicopter fleet and the
lack of a definitive, funded modernization plan. The committee
encourages the Army to develop a viable plan to meet future
aviation modernization requirements for both active and reserve
components and will closely review any funding requests for
Army helicopters until this plan is provided. Therefore, the
committee recommends a decrease of $2.0 million for UH-1
modifications.
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
The budget request included $38.8 million for safety
modifications to the existing Kiowa Warrior fleet. The
committee recognizes the contribution that Kiowa Warriors
provide as armed scouts for land forces. While the Army is in
the process of developing a new armed scout helicopter, the
Comanche, it is clear that Kiowa Warriors will be called on to
perform the scout function for the Army well into the next
century. The committee notes an outstanding requirement to
apply safety modifications to these aircraft to ensure the
continued safe operation of the fleet and enhance existing
capabilities. Therefore, the committee recommends an additional
$15.0 million to complete additional safety retrofit
requirements.
Aircraft survivability equipment
The budget request included $4.6 million to support
fielding of self-protection equipment for Army aircraft. The
committee strongly supports efforts to promote self-protection
for aircraft and aircrews and believes that this area is not
funded at an appropriate level. The committee recognizes
continuing Army efforts to test and field the Suite of
Integrated Radio Frequency Countermeasures (SIRFC) modular
systems and Suite of Integrated Infrared Countermeasures
(SIIRCM) designed to meet requirements for aircraft
survivability systems. The committee also notes that there are
significantly limited capabilities currently available in this
area, and recommends an increase of $8.1 million to support
SIRFC and SIIRCM testing and integration efforts.
Training devices
The budget request did not include funding for aviation
training devices. The committee is concerned about the non-
availability of a geographically focused flight simulator data
base for flight training in the Korean theater of operations.
The committee recalls the international incident created when a
helicopter flight crew strayed over the international border
into North Korea and was shot down by North Korean military
forces. It is very possible that this incident could have been
avoided had a Korean terrain data base been available to train
flight crews. The committee understands that the Army has
recognized the requirement for modifying existing flight
simulators in Korea to a geographically specific data base and
that this requirement has not been supported due to a severely
constricted defense budget. Therefore, the committee recommends
an increase of $18.6million to support the fielding of this
updated database for Army aviation training in Korea and hopes this
will serve to improve flight safety and combat readiness.
Common ground equipment
The budget request included $30.6 million to procure ground
and aviation support equipment. While the committee recognizes
the need to modernize Army airfield support equipment, the
significant increase in the airfield support equipment account
cannot be supported in light of current year budget
constraints. Therefore, the committee recommends a decrease of
$3.0 million to bring funding in line with prior year spending
levels.
Army Missile
Avenger modifications
The budget request did not include funding for the Avenger
slew-to-cue modification that enjoyed recent success during the
Army's Advanced Warfighting Exercise (AWE) conducted at the
National Training Center in April 1997. The slew-to-cue
modification greatly enhances gunner effectiveness in acquiring
and defeating air threats facing a ground force. The committee
was pleased to note the success of this system during the AWE
and encourages the Army to field these modifications to
existing Avenger systems as soon as possible. The committee
also notes the Army effort to develop effective and affordable
training devices for the Avenger system, and understands that a
new Table Top Trainer (TTT) has been developed and is available
at very low cost. The committee recommends an increase of $2.0
million to begin procurement of these training devices and
suggests the principal focus for initial fielding of these
training devices should be for reserve component units who must
make the most efficient use of available training time. The
committee recommends an additional increase of $13.0 million to
begin the slew-to-cue modification effort and encourages the
Army to resource outstanding requirements in future budget
requests.
Hellfire missile
The budget request included $279.7 million to procure
Hellfire missiles. The committee understands that there are
$10.7 million in unobligated funds from both 1996 and 1997.
Therefore, the committee recommends a decrease of $10.7 million
for this program.
Extended range Multiple Launch Rocket System rockets
The budget request included $2.9 million for program
support. No production has been funded for fiscal year 1998 and
the Army is currently unable to exercise a fiscal year 1998
option for additional missiles while remaining several thousand
missiles short of established requirements. The committee
recommends an increase of $12.0 million to support minimum
production requirements for 1998 and notes the future year
budget projections will maintain a baseline production effort.
Multiple Launch Rocket System launchers
The budget request included $102.6 million to procure MLRS
launchers necessary to meet Army requirements. The committee
continues to support Army efforts to convert existing
divisional MLRS structure to the new 2 x 9 configuration. This
conversion resulted from lessons learned during the Gulf War
and will enhance the organic fire support of division fire
support units. The committee recommends an increase of $25.1
million to accelerate the conversion process.
Army Tactical Missile System
The budget request included $114.5 million to produce Army
Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles. The committee notes
the recent decision by the Army to pursue annual procurements
of the ATACMS missile in lieu of the multi-year contract
authorized and funded in the National Defense Authorization Act
for fiscal year 1997. The committee questions whether doubts
expressed by the Department with respect to the ability of the
ATACMS missile to destroy specific target sets will potentially
lead to a future decrease in missile procurement. Given this
uncertainty, the committee recommends a decrease of $5.0
million from the fiscal year 1998 budget request, with the
remaining funds to be used to resolve any outstanding issues
associated with missile performance and procurement. The
committee also directs the Army to certify missile performance
for projected target sets and report the results to
congressional defense committees no later than 1 December 1997.
Stinger modifications
The budget request included $12.4 million to conduct
materiel upgrades of the Stinger surface to air missile system.
Noting an outstanding requirement to conduct Stinger Block 1
upgrades to 549 missiles at an economic production rate, and
recognizing the importance of these missiles, the committee
recommends an increase of $9.3 million to support additional
upgrades necessary to field Block 1 missiles to Force Package 2
units.
Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles
Bradley base sustainment
The budget request included $125.6 million to continue low
rate initial production of the A3 configured Bradley Fighting
Vehicle. The committee is concerned about the slip in fielding
the first unit with these new vehicles and believes the
original schedule should be maintained. These new vehicles
provide a digital command and control capability, increased
lethality and survivability, and improved sustainability.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $62.4
million to maintain a smooth low-rate initial production rate
prior to full scale production in fiscal year 1999.
Carrier modifications--M113A3
The budget request included $20.2 million for upgrades to
existing tracked carrier systems. The committee recognizes the
important role that these systems play in ensuring troop safety
on the battlefield and notes the significant outstanding
requirements for M113 upgrades. Therefore, the committee
recommends an increase of $20.0 million to maintain stable
program funding.
M1 Abrams tank modifications
The budget request included $29.8 million to apply
modification kits to M1 Abrams tanks to improve lethality,
survivability, and safety. The committee notes is an
outstanding requirement for a safety interlock necessary to
prevent tank drivers from being injured during turret movement.
The committee believes this safety issue should be corrected
and recommends an increase of $3.0 million to modify existing
M1 tanks with an interlock safety device.
Small arms programs
The committee remains concerned about the small arms
industrial base and Department of Defense management of small
arms industrial base issues. The committee believes it
important to understand current and future requirements for
small arms and industrial base implications in an era of
declining resources. Therefore, the committee directs the
Department of Defense to conduct an assessment of the small
arms industrial base and to provide an update to the calendar
year 1994 plan entitled, ``Preservation of Critical Elements of
the Small Arms Industrial Base,'' which was prepared by the
Army Science Board. This assessment should include
consideration of the recommendation in the 1994 Army Science
Board report on procurement of small arms, spares and repairs
from the small arms industrial base and should assess minimum
industrial base requirements necessary to support current and
projected procurement of small arms in both peace and war.
Further, the assessment should provide a list of options for
consideration by the Congress necessary to preserve the small
arms industrial base. The results of this assessment shall be
provided to the Congress no later than March 1, 1998. The
Department of Defense is prohibited from entering into any
contract that exceeds a one year period of performance,
including options, for the procurement of small arms,
modifications to small arms, or spares and repairs for small
arms until 90 days after the report is completed and forwarded
to the Congress.
The budget request did not include funding for either the
MK-19 Grenade Launcher or the M240B Medium Machine Gun for
fiscal year 1998, which could result in a break in production
for these vital weapon systems, even though there are
outstanding requirements for over 6,000 additional MK-19s and
approximately 10,000 M240B Machine Guns. The committee believes
that minimum production levels must be maintained and
recommends an increase of $13.0 million to span the MK-19
production funding gap and an additional $15.0 million for
M240B production. The committee directs the Army to ensure that
future year budgets sustain minimum production requirements
until such time as outstanding requirements have been
satisfied.
Army Ammunition
Army ammunition
The committee is concerned with the inadequate funding for
ammunition procurement that was contained in the President's
budget request. Ammunition is an important contributor to
military readiness for training and in anticipation of
conflict. The committee recommends the following adjustments to
the budget request for Army ammunition procurement:
Small Arms: Millions
5.56 mm................................................... $2.5
7.62 mm................................................... 0.5
50 cal.................................................... 0.1
Mortar:
120 mm HE, M734........................................... 20.0
Tank:
120 mm TP-T M831/M831A1................................... 9.8
120 mm TPCSDS-T M865...................................... 12.7
Rockets:
Hydra-70.................................................. 36.2
Fuze:
Fuze ARTY M767............................................ 20.0
Other:
Selectable Lightweight Attack Munitions................... 10.0
Simulator Antitank M27.................................... 0.5
Production Base:
Armament Retooling & Manufacturing Support................ 40.0
--------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Subtotal.................................................... 152.3
Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support
The committee is aware that although the budget request
includes $5.0 million for the continuation of the Armament
Retooling and Manufacturing Support (ARMS) program, a total of
$45.0 million is necessary for the program to remain viable in
fiscal year 1998. Therefore, the committee recommends an
increase of $40.0 million for this program. The committee
expects these funds to be utilized in the most effective manner
to ensure preservation of those facilities most likely to be
required to fulfill the military's needs to support the
national military strategy. The committee expects the Army to
provide adequate funding for this program in the future.
Other Army Procurement
High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle
The budget request included $66.2 million to procure 774
High Mobility Multi-Purpose Vehicles (HMMWVs). The committee is
very concerned about the budget request funding level, which is
$96.5 million less than fiscal year 1997 and clearly
insufficient to maintain minimum production rates. Realizing
the large number of HMMWVs in the force, over 92,000 vehicles,
and an outstanding requirement of over 18,000 additional
vehicles, the committee does not understand the Army's apparent
acceptance of a break in production in fiscal year 1998.
Additionally, the committee understands the Army is developing
the next generation vehicle which will go into production in
fiscal year 2000. Clearly, an inactive production capability in
fiscal years 1998 and 1999 will not be able to meet outstanding
short-term HMMWV requirements and will increase the funding
level necessary to begin production of the new vehicle as
start-up costs will be significant. The Army has recognized
this issue and acknowledged an unfunded requirement for this
program. Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of
$75.0 million for the Army, along with a corresponding increase
for the Marine Corps, to bridge the gap until the next
generation system enters production. The committee strongly
recommends the Army review fiscal year 1999 priorities and
ensure that this vital production capability is adequately
funded in future years. Additionally, the committee directs the
Army to ensure that minimum production requirements for up-
armored HMMWV's are maintained.
Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles
The budget request included $209.4 million to procure 1506
Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) trucks. The committee
notes that the funding level requested for fiscal year 1998
will not sustain minimum production rates, resulting in a
production break for this vital truck modernization effort.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $44.0
million to support this critical underfunded Army requirement.
Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles
The committee, noting a request for additional funding to
span a break in production for the heavy truck fleet, is very
concerned about the apparent inability of the Army to maintain
sufficient funding required to field critical wheeled vehicle
programs and maintain a viable production base. The committee
is concerned about Army budget decisions in this arena and
questions the ability of the Army to pay for restart costs that
would be necessary as a result of inadequate funding in the
budget request. The committee recommends the following
increases necessary to support outstanding requirements and
maintain a viable industrial base: $50.0 million to procure 150
Palletized Load System (PLS) trucks and 50 trailers, which will
support the fielding of two additional transportation
companies; $45.0 million to procure 96 Heavy Equipment
Transporter Systems (HETS): to avoid a break in production, and
to support fielding of an additional HETS transportation
company; and $33.0 million for 103 Heavy Expanded Mobility
Tactical Truck (HEMTT) wreckers required for fielding
shortages.
Army data distribution systems
The budget request included $37.3 million to procure
additional enhanced position location reporting systems
(EPLRS). EPLRS serves as the digital backbone for the Army and
is critical to ongoing digitization efforts. The committee
supports the fielding of these critical systems and recommends
an increase of $37.3 million to meet Force Package 1
requirements.
Echelon Above Corps Communications-Warfighter Information Network
The budget request included $82.4 million to support
ongoing modifications to the Area Common User System (ACUS) and
support its migration to the Army's Warfighter Information
Network (WIN) systems architecture. The committee has
consistently supported this effort, which greatly enhances the
range and linkage between warfighters in the tactical arena.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $33.0
million for this critical activity.
Information system security program
The budget request included $10.2 million to procure
information security systems for the Army. The committee is
concerned that the budget submission does not fund Airterm KY-
100 devices and that this will result in a break in production.
The committee recognizes that some Force Package 1 requirements
have not yet been filled and that secure communications are
criticalto any warfight effort. The committee recommends an
increase of $5.5 million to procure 400 Airterm (KY-100) devices.
Sentinel
The budget request included $41.0 million to continue
procurement of the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar. These new air
defense radars provide a ground sensor for deployed forces to
ensure force protection. The committee notes an outstanding
requirement for additional radars critical to preclude a
fielding gap between these sensors and new communications
equipment, and therefore recommends an increase of $20.2
million to procure additional radars necessary to meet future
fielding requirements.
Night vision devices
The budget request included $85.3 million for night vision
equipment vital to enhance combat effectiveness and save lives
on the battlefield. The committee is encouraged by the Army
effort to develop and field effective night vision equipment
but remains concerned that sufficient quantities have not yet
been obtained to meet warfighting and contingency requirements.
The committee notes that there are outstanding requirements for
this equipment and recommends the following increases:
(1) $8.0 million to procure Infrared Aiming Lights
AN/PEQ-2;
(2) $17.0 million to procure AN/PVS-7D systems;
(3) $10.0 million to procure AN/PAS-13 Thermal Weapon
Sights;
(4) $1.0 million to procure 2,900 borelights.
Standard Army management information system tactical computer platform
The budget request included $36.1 million to continue
efforts t