October 1, 2008 - The 110th Congress authorized a number of key defense programs that will impact IAM members. These critical programs include:
Aircraft
- Aerial Refueling Tanker — $832 million for development of a new Air Force refueling tanker, and requires that if the World Trade Organization rules that an illegal subsidy was given to any large commercial manufacturer, the impact of that subsidy would have to be considered as part of the Defense Department's selection process for the new plane.
- F /A-22 Raptor — $2.9 billion for 20 F-22A fighters. The F-22 is the Air Force's next-generation fighter intended to replace the F-15, and designed to have both air-to-air and air-to-ground fighter capabilities. The measure also provides $523 million in funds for the advance procurement of an additional lot of 20 aircraft in FY 2010.
- F-35 Joint Strike Fighter — $3.6 billion for development of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), $2.9 billion to procure 14 planes, and $530 million for the JSF competitive engine program, including $171.9 million in advance procurement to support the GE/Rolls Royce F136 engine program.
- F/A-18/E/F & E/A-18G — $3.5 billion for 23 next-generation F/A-18 E/F and 22 EA-18G Super Hornet fighter aircraft.
- C-17 Transport — $2.1 billion for six C-17 cargo aircraft.
- KC-130J and MC-130J – Provides funding for 4 KC-130J and 2 MC-130J military transport planes.
Shipbuilding
- New Attack Submarine — Authorizes one Virginia-class new attack submarine, which is replacing retiring Los Angeles-class submarines and will constitute the bulk of the future attack submarine force. The measure also provides $300 million in advanced procurement funding for two SSN-774 attack submarines in fiscal 2011.
- New Assault Ship — Authorizes the president's request of $2.5 billion in advanced procurement funds for the Navy's next-generation surface combat ship, the DDG-1000. An additional $350 million is authorized for continued production of DDG-51 destroyers.
