AOC ENDORSED: Senate Defense Authorization Advances Senator Kirk’s EW Capabilities Enhancement Act
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Last week, the Senate Armed Services Committee reported its version of the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), S. 2493. Included in the bill was text from S. 2486, the EW Capabilities Enhancement Act, introduced by Senator Mark Kirk (IL) in February of this year. The AOC endorsed the bill and applauds the support for it from the Committee.
Specifically, the NDAA includes language from S. 2486, sections 2, 3 and 5, which can be found on pages 619-623 of the bill. The legislation allows any appropriated funds for EW to be used for development and fielding of new EW capabilities. It provides limited flexibility to reprogram certain funds to meet urgent warfighter needs against prevailing threats. Additionally, S. 2493 provides inclusion of EW programs in the Rapid Acquisition Authority (RAA) Program. The RAA allows program managers to waive acquisition rules and regulations to more quickly field technology. It also authorizes the Secretary of Defense to use other acquisition tools including "other transactions authority, commercial items, and procurement for experimental purposes" for EW procurement. Finally, the Senate NDAA calls on the recently established EW Executive Committee to report to Congress with a strategic plan with measurable and timely objectives to achieve its mission. The report is to include how the Services plan to work together on development and fielding of EW systems and capabilities, including streamlining acquisition and budget processes; improving training with advanced EW technology, closing capability gaps across the services, and advancing full spectrum EW capabilities. The only section from S. 2486 that was not included was the authority to waive the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) for certain EW programs.
"The Senate Armed Service Committee support for Sen. Kirk’s EW legislation is a great accomplishment for our EW community. We applaud Senator Kirk for his strong leadership and support for our men and women in uniform, especially our EW operators and warfighters. Between the Senate and House versions of the NDAA we have a very strong foundation from which to work to ensure the final NDAA has real reform to advance innovative EW systems and capabilities that are a prerequisite for successful military operations in the twenty-first century," said AOC President Dave Hime.
In a press statement, Senator Kirk said, "Without advanced U.S. military offensive and defensive electronic warfare, Russia, China and Iran will continue to close the gap on our military capabilities. My bill brings new technology to soldiers faster."
S. 2493 now awaits consideration on the Senate floor in the coming weeks. Last week, the House of Representatives passed its version of the FY 2017 NDAA, H.R. 4909, by a vote of 277 - 147. The bill also contains language from H.R. 4851, the House version of the EW Capabilities Enhancement Act, including a pilot program to authorize the use of funds authorized and appropriated for EW sustainment to be used for critical modernization of legal EW systems. Following consideration of S. 2493 in the Senate, the NDAA then moves to a Conference Committee to merge the House and Senate versions and develop a unified authorization for the Congress to pass and send to the President’s desk. The AOC will continue to monitor all developments on the FY 2017 defense budget and engage Congress to ensure necessary reforms and funding for EW and related disciplines. For any questions or additional information on the legislation, please contact Mr. Ken Miller, AOC Director of Government Affairs, at ken@kmsadvoacy.com.
Specifically, the NDAA includes language from S. 2486, sections 2, 3 and 5, which can be found on pages 619-623 of the bill. The legislation allows any appropriated funds for EW to be used for development and fielding of new EW capabilities. It provides limited flexibility to reprogram certain funds to meet urgent warfighter needs against prevailing threats. Additionally, S. 2493 provides inclusion of EW programs in the Rapid Acquisition Authority (RAA) Program. The RAA allows program managers to waive acquisition rules and regulations to more quickly field technology. It also authorizes the Secretary of Defense to use other acquisition tools including "other transactions authority, commercial items, and procurement for experimental purposes" for EW procurement. Finally, the Senate NDAA calls on the recently established EW Executive Committee to report to Congress with a strategic plan with measurable and timely objectives to achieve its mission. The report is to include how the Services plan to work together on development and fielding of EW systems and capabilities, including streamlining acquisition and budget processes; improving training with advanced EW technology, closing capability gaps across the services, and advancing full spectrum EW capabilities. The only section from S. 2486 that was not included was the authority to waive the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) for certain EW programs.
"The Senate Armed Service Committee support for Sen. Kirk’s EW legislation is a great accomplishment for our EW community. We applaud Senator Kirk for his strong leadership and support for our men and women in uniform, especially our EW operators and warfighters. Between the Senate and House versions of the NDAA we have a very strong foundation from which to work to ensure the final NDAA has real reform to advance innovative EW systems and capabilities that are a prerequisite for successful military operations in the twenty-first century," said AOC President Dave Hime.
In a press statement, Senator Kirk said, "Without advanced U.S. military offensive and defensive electronic warfare, Russia, China and Iran will continue to close the gap on our military capabilities. My bill brings new technology to soldiers faster."
S. 2493 now awaits consideration on the Senate floor in the coming weeks. Last week, the House of Representatives passed its version of the FY 2017 NDAA, H.R. 4909, by a vote of 277 - 147. The bill also contains language from H.R. 4851, the House version of the EW Capabilities Enhancement Act, including a pilot program to authorize the use of funds authorized and appropriated for EW sustainment to be used for critical modernization of legal EW systems. Following consideration of S. 2493 in the Senate, the NDAA then moves to a Conference Committee to merge the House and Senate versions and develop a unified authorization for the Congress to pass and send to the President’s desk. The AOC will continue to monitor all developments on the FY 2017 defense budget and engage Congress to ensure necessary reforms and funding for EW and related disciplines. For any questions or additional information on the legislation, please contact Mr. Ken Miller, AOC Director of Government Affairs, at ken@kmsadvoacy.com.
