Apr 25, 2018
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - Led by Chairman Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Ranking Member Joe Courtney (D-CT), the Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower & Projection Forces today released their proposals for the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Subcommittee will meet at 1:30 PM on Thursday, April 26th, in Rayburn 2212. The markup will be live streamed on the Committee’s website. The Subcommittee's proposal is available here.
The Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee’s proposal:
- Recommends to the Full Committee support for the 10 ships included in the fiscal year 2019 budget request, including two Virginia-class submarines, three DDG 51 Arleigh Burke destroyers; one Littoral Combat Ship (LCS); two T-AO 205 oilers; one Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB); and one T-ATS towing, salvage, and rescue ship. In addition, the proposal recommends adding three battle force ships, including one Ford-class aircraft carrier and two additional LCS for a total of 13 ships;
- Specifically authorizes the procurement of CVN-81, the fourth Ford-class aircraft carrier;
- Recommends long lead time material funding in fiscal year 2019 for two additional Virginia-class submarines in fiscal years 2022 and 2023;
- Authorizes the multiyear procurement associated with 625 SM-6 missiles at a rate of 125 missiles per year;
- Recommends an expansion in critical enablers including LRASM, Tomahawk, MK-48 heavyweight torpedos, and sonobuoys;
- Authorizes the multiyear procurement of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft;
- Recommends full funding for the B-21 Raider program;
- Establishes a floor of 479 air refueling tanker aircraft in the Air Force inventory subject to the results of the Mobility Capability and Requirements Study 2018;
- Recommends full funding for the VC-25B Presidential Recapitalization Aircraft program;
- Recommends continuing support for the propulsion and propeller upgrades of Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve C-130H airlift aircraft;
- Retains the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) until a replacement capability can be developed;
- Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to enter into a contract for 10 foreign-built, used sealift vessels concurrent with a plan to construct 10 new sealift vessels;
- Limits Military Sealift Command fiscal year 2019 expenditures until the Secretary of the Navy has entered into a contract for two vessels and has completed the requirements documentation for the construction of the common hull multi-mission platform;
- Requires Ready Reserve Fleet vessel upgrades to comply with SOLIS lifeboat and fire suppression requirements;
- Restricts the acquisition of foreign-built training ships and requires construction of the National Security Multi Mission Vessel in U.S. shipyards to support these State Maritime Academies training requirements; and,
- Recommends an increase in Maritime Security Program (MSP) funding to ensure retention of 60 MSP vessels.