FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2006
Contact:  Joy Fox
(401) 732-9400 
 
National Defense Authorization Bill Passes

Millions headed to Rhode Island submarine industry

 
(Warwick, R.I.) Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) yesterday voted for the $512.9 billion National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2007. Langevin was particularly supportive of the provisions that will provide advance procurement funding for additional Virginia-class submarines, require the Navy to maintain appropriate fleet levels and support numerous submarine research and development projects.

“Rhode Island, along with the rest of Southeastern New England, will benefit from this bill as it provides the necessary funding to ensure that our nation’s submarine fleet remains robust,” said Langevin.

This authorization includes $50 billion to support operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the global war on terrorism. The funds will primarily be used to replace and rehabilitate equipment that has become worn and deteriorated. The total includes more than $1 billion to procure armored Humvees and other armored vehicles for the Army and the Marine Corps, as well as $110 million for jammers to block detonation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“This bill helps our men and women serving in the armed forces and makes investments to keep our military strong in the future,” said Langevin, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “I supported this measure because it contains a number of provisions to assist our servicemembers and their families, as well as military retirees.”

Included in this authorization is funding to keep the U.S. submarine fleet from shrinking to dangerously low levels. In addition to the advance procurement, the authorization recognizes that it is imperative that the Navy adopt long-term shipbuilding and research and development plans.

Over the last year, Langevin, as co-chair of the Congressional Submarine Caucus, has advocated tirelessly for more comprehensive investments in the Navy’s submarine fleet.

“Sustaining our submarine fleet will allow our nation to defend against current and future threats, as well as ensure that our military commanders have the capabilities they need to undertake a broad array of missions,” said Langevin.

The bill also provides for an investment in research and development projects that will help preserve Southeastern New England’s industrial base and ensure that it retains the best designers and engineers in the world. Our nation would face a major crisis if our submarine design industrial base were to disappear because of a lack of new work.

Due in large part to Langevin’s advocacy, the following projects/requirements were included in the authorization:

  • $400 million for advance procurement of VIRGINIA-Class submarines to expedite construction of 2 per year from 2012 to 2009
  • Requirement that Navy fleet cannot drop below 48 operational attack submarines
  • $20 million for construction modifications to the VIRGINIA-Class submarines which will significantly reduce submarine construction and system acquisition costs, provide improved sonar performance, and facilitate additional payloads
  • $25 million to lower ship acquisition costs and significantly increase the submarine’s flexibility to accommodate future payload alternatives
  • $6 million for continued at-sea demonstrations of launch and recovery hardware from a clandestine platform. This technology will enhance future submarine missions, particularly in the Global War on Terror
  • $6 million for Project Athena, a maritime security demonstration project that monitors waterborne traffic and the maritime domain. Both Langevin and Congressman Patrick Kennedy worked to promote and secure funding for this ongoing project.
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