BUSH SIGNS $393 BILLION DEFENSE BILL A.V. PROGRAMS GET BOOST.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer PALMDALE - President George W. Bush signed the 2003 Defense Authorization Bill that pumps more money into upgrading B-2 stealth stealth Any military technology intended to make vehicles or missiles nearly invisible to enemy radar or other electronic detection. Research in antidetection technology began soon after radar was invented. bombers and fully funds the F-22 and joint strike fighter programs The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) became synonymous with the later F-35 Lightning II, however until 2001 the term was applied to the competition between the Boeing X-32 and Lockheed Martin X-35. . The $393 billion bill also pays for ``quality-of-life'' improvements for military personnel, including a 4.1 percent across-the-board pay raise, and increases in housing allowances that reduce the average out-of-pocket expense for accommodations from 11.3 percent to 7.5 percent. ``We're rewarding the service and sacrifice of our military families with higher pay, improved facilities and better housing,'' Bush said at the bill-signing ceremony. ``We're procuring the best weapons we possibly can and the best equipment, while adding funds for operations and maintenance, as well. We're investing in missile defenses Missile defence is an air defence system, weapon program, or technology involved in the detection, tracking, interception and destruction of attacking missiles. Originally conceived as a defence against nuclear-armed ICBMs, its application has broadened to include shorter-ranged and all new technologies we need to gain every advantage - every advantage - in the battlefields of the future.'' The bill includes $104.1 million for B-2 bomber upgrades, more than $32 million over the president's request. That funding includes $35.1 million for enhanced satellite communications for the bomber fleet. Also in the bill is $265.3 million for B-2 bomber research and development, including $50 million for the development of a new radar system and $17 million for development of improvements in maintaining the bomber's stealth capabilities. About $4.1 billion for 23 initial low-rate production F-22 fighters was included as well as $530 million for advance procurement The fancy word for "purchasing." The procurement department within an organization manages all the major purchases. for 27 more fighters in 2004 and $627.3 million for research and development work on the F-22. The bill includes $3.4 billion for the development of the F-35 joint strike fighter A strike fighter is a fighter aircraft which is also capable of attacking surface targets, including ships. It differs from an attack aircraft in that the aircraft remains a capable fighter. , with the money split down the middle between the Air Force and Navy versions of the jet. There is also $664.9 million for development of the Air Force and Navy versions of the Global Hawk, an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft. Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is an aerospace and defense conglomerate that is the result of the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company is the third largest defense contractor for the U.S. manufactures the Global Hawk and modifies the B-2 fleet in Palmdale. Lockheed Martin For the former company, see . Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a leading multinational aerospace manufacturer and advanced technology company formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. Aeronautics aeronautics: see aerodynamics; airplane; aviation. Co.'s Palmdale plant produces parts for both the F-22 and F-35. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: The Defense Authorization Bill signed Tuesday includes $104.1 million for upgrades to the B-2 stealth bomber program, more than $32 million over the president's request. |
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