S.Amdt. 1510

1. Adds SEC. 138. SENSE OF SENATE ON F/A-22 RAPTOR AIRCRAFT at the end of subtitle D of title I

   Adds a section

   In S. 1042 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   (e) Availability of Funds.--Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 103(1) for aircraft procurement for the Air Force, $200,000,000 shall be available for the procurement and equipping of up to two aircraft under this section.

   Inserted: SEC. 138. SENSE OF SENATE ON F/A-22 RAPTOR AIRCRAFT.

   Inserted: (a) Findings.--The Senate makes the following findings:

   Inserted: (1) It is widely held that integrated air defense systems, composed of next generation surface-to-air missiles and fifth generation fighters, will be the primary threat to United States dominance of the skies and the ability of the Nation to access strategically important regions during future conflicts.

   Inserted: (2) Many of the current tactical aircraft of the United States first flew more than 30 years ago and several nations have deployed integrated air defense systems designed to counter these aircraft. These aircraft include the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F/A-18 Hornet, none of which are stealth aircraft.

   Inserted: (3) the F/A-22 Raptor aircraft is a highly-capable stealth aircraft designed to neutralize both surface-to-air missiles and fifth generation fighters.

   Inserted: (4) The F/A-22 Raptor aircraft is a truly transformational aircraft incorporating--

   Inserted: (A) super-cruise engines that allow for extended supersonic flight (a magnitude longer than its after-burner predecessors);

   Inserted: (B) unmatched stealth capabilities; and

   Inserted: (C) a radar and avionics system that will permit the identification of ground targets and engage enemy aircraft at great ranges.

   Inserted: (5) The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is being designed as a compliment to the F/A-22 Raptor aircraft, but the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will not be as stealthy the F/A-22 Raptor aircraft, nor will it be able, due to design constraints, to utilize super-cruise engines.

   Inserted: (6) The F/A-22 Raptor aircraft is the most maneuverable fighter flying today, a matter of particular importance when encountering newer Russian-made aircraft that have been sold widely throughout the world and boast a highly impressive maneuver capability.

   Inserted: (7) The F/A-22 Raptor aircraft is a capable bomber, with a large weapons bay having the capacity to carry two 1,000 pound Global Positioning System-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions or several Small Diameter Bombs.

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   Inserted: (8) The National Defense Strategy calls for a force structure that--

   Inserted: (A) defends the homeland;

   Inserted: (B) is capable of forward deterrence in four regions;

   Inserted: (C) can swiftly defeat adversaries in two overlapping conflicts; and

   Inserted: (D) can decisively defeat an enemy in one of those conflicts.

   Inserted: (9) The Air Force has repeatedly warned that, in order to meet the requirements of the National Defense Strategy, the service requires far more than the 180 F/A-22 Raptor aircraft currently planned for procurement by the Department of Defense.

   Inserted: (b) Sense of Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Defense should review the decision articulated in Program Budget Decision 753 to ensure that sufficient numbers of F/A-22 Raptor aircraft are procured in order meet applicable requirements in the National Defense Strategy.

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle D of title I, add the following:

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As printed