DoD Wants More V-22s, C-130Js, Humvees

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InsideDefense.com NewsStand | Daniel G. Dupont | July 14, 2006

The Pentagon wants Congress to add two V-22s, four C-130Js and one C-17 to its fiscal year 2007 budget, along with thousands of new trucks, according to budget documents sent to Capitol Hill in late June.

InsideDefense.com reported June 30 that the documents, which the Pentagon refuses to release publicly, describe the $50 billion budget amendment or budget allowance intended to fund operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during the first half of the fiscal year, as well as new equipment to replace systems lost or worn out over the last few years.

A summary obtained this week breaks down how the Defense Department wants lawmakers to allocate the $11.1 billion in the budget amendment for procurement, research and development and the Iraqi Freedom Fund.

A total of $8.7 billion is requested for procurement, along with $314 million for research, development, test and evaluation and $2.2 billion for the Iraqi Freedom Fund.

That $2.2 billion breaks down to $2.1 billion for the Improvised Explosive Devices Defeat Initiative and $100 million for the “Joint Rapid Acquisition” program -- an effort to quickly field needed technologies to deployed troops in the war on terrorism.

All of the RDT&E money in the budget amendment is earmarked for classified activities: $110 million for the Navy, $48.4 million for the Air Force and $156 million for defense-wide programs.

As for procurement, the Army is slated for $4.75 billion, the Air Force for $2.1 billion, and the Navy and Marine Corps a combined $1.7 billion.

The Air Force's requested funds break down in two major areas: $1.2 billion for unnamed classified programs and $909 million for aircraft procurement.

The service wants to buy one C-17 for $225 million, four C-130J aircraft for $307 million and one V-22 Osprey for $146.3 million. C-17A modifications would be funded at $97 million, C-37A mods at $43 million and C-130 upgrades at $90.8 million.

As for the Navy, it is in line for another V-22 as well, at a cost of $101 million. Its other major request is $223 million for tactical vehicles.

Major Marine Corps procurement initiatives in the budget amendment include $451 million for humvees, $76.8 million for Javelin missiles, $83.9 million for the AAV7A1 product improvement program, $45 million for the Light Armored Vehicle PIP and $201 million on unit operations centers.

Most of the Army's money would go toward the purchase or overhaul of major battlefield vehicles and aircraft. The documents show plans for seven new UH-60 Black Hawks to be purchased for $105 million under a multiyear procurement arrangement. Also, the service is in line for $331.5 million to fund CH-47 cargo helicopter modifications, with $90 million of that total set aside for the National Guard.

Also, the Pentagon wants almost $1.4 billion for Bradley Fighting Vehicle sustainment, another $522.8 million for M1 Abrams tank modifications ($100 million of which would go to the National Guard) and another $400 million for the M1A2 tank's System Enhancement Program.

Other major Army procurement items include the Improved Recovery Vehicle ($197 million), the Carrier Mod program ($77.7 million) and modifications to Bradley FIST Vehicles ($130 million).

The service also is in line for major truck purchases should the Pentagon's plans win the approval of Congress. The documents show the Army wants $614.7 million for humvees, with more than $422 million of that total slated for the National Guard and Army Reserve; $220 million for Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles trucks, all for the reserves; and $201.5 million for reserve Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles trucks. Another $92.6 million is requested for Armored Security Vehicles, while $364 million is earmarked for the “modification of in-service equipment.”