WASHINGTON D.C. - Rep. Dan Boren (OK-02) and Rep. Mary Fallin (OK-05), members of the House Armed Services Committee, jointly offered an amendment and directive report language to the National Defense Authorization Act that requires the Army to develop a plan for a future self-propelled artillery piece as part of the next generation of ground combat vehicles. In addition, the amendment language calls for the Secretary of Defense to deliver the report to Congress by February 1, 2010. Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04), who represents Fort Sill Army Post in Lawton, Okla., commended Boren and Fallin for introducing the amendment.
Congressman Boren: “It is an honor to join my colleagues, Reps. Fallin and Cole, on this endeavor. Oklahoma’s military installations have proven time and again to be highly effective at contributing to our national security and defense. The amendment adopted today by the committee will place the Army on a clear path toward producing artillery and ground combat vehicles for the future. I look forward to working with the Department Defense and the rest of our delegation to continue the effort of modernizing the Army."
Congressman Fallin: “Our amendment lays out a requirement for the Army to submit a report outlining the future of self-propelled artillery as part of the next generation of combat vehicles. In light of the cancellation of the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon, which was to be produced in Elgin, I will continue to fight for the production and development of a future artillery system here in Oklahoma. It is logical that any future artillery system development be located in close proximity to the Army's premier artillery base in the country: Fort Sill. I look forward to reviewing the Army’s report on our nation's artillery capabilities and the prospects of their future in Oklahoma."
Congressman Cole: "As the elected representative of one of Oklahoma's largest Army posts and a former member of the Armed Services Committee, I care deeply about the success of our state's military installations. This amendment is going to ensure that the Army continues to move forward with advances in artillery programs and provide a comprehensive report to Congress detailing their future plans by early next year. I want to commend Reps. Boren and Fallin for working diligently alongside Senator Inhofe and me to ensure that Oklahoma's military interests are well-served. With this said, there is more work to be done concerning the issue of our future artillery force, and I will be coordinating with these individuals as both the authorization and Appropriations process continues forward."
Amendment Details:
The Boren-Fallin amendment was offered today during the House Armed Services Committee's consideration of H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 - legislation that authorizes national security programs and policies for the Department of Defense. It was adopted unanimously by the Committee.
The plan and report directed by the amendment will specify what vehicles, or upgraded vehicles, will make up the Army’s ground combat fleet in 2015. The Army will have to report the status, schedule, cost estimates and requirements for these vehicles and specify whether or not there is any structural modification needed that would impact the vehicles. If modifications or new vehicles are needed, the Army will have to specify which alternatives they considered, as well as why any alternatives were not chosen. In addition, the report will have to quantify and describe if a loss of knowledge is experienced by the industrial base should a future self-propelled artillery cannon not be developed immediately following the cancellation of the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon - a Manned Ground Vehicle of Future Combat Systems.
In addition, the report would explain the Army's plan regarding the future of its self-propelled howitzer artillery fleet. The report would disclose the development and fielding details of the howitzers, including its: automated ammunition handling and laser ignition, among other things.
Finally, the amendment restricts the ability of the Army to obligate funds on three specific programs, the Combat Vehicle Improvement Program, the Advanced Tank Armament System and the Artillery Systems program, until such a report is filed with the Defense Committees.
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