U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee has announced full committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 Department of Defense Appropriations bill, which contains critical funding for programs important to north Alabama. Following today’s action by the Committee, the bill will go to the full Senate for consideration.
“It is imperative that Congress provide our military with proper funding for the programs and resources necessary to protect our nation,” said Senator Shelby. “I am pleased that this year’s Department of Defense Appropriations bill supports our top defense priorities, including several of Alabama’s national defense capabilities that will allow our state to continue to play a leading role in serving our armed forces.”
Next Generation Rocket Engine – $143.6 million above the President’s FY16 Budget Request
“The additional funding included in this bill supports the competitive development of a rocket engine to replace the foreign-made engine currently used for national security space launches,” said Senator Shelby. “It is essential that we support rocket engine development to ensure that the Air Force can continue its vital national security space launch missions.”
Missile and Rocket Advanced Technology – $50 million above the President’s FY16 Budget Request
“The additional funding included in this bill will allow our nation’s weapons research labs to continue to field new weapon technologies as asymmetric threats emerge,” said Senator Shelby. “Advanced weapon systems are essential to maintaining the Army’s superiority on the battlefield, especially during a time of manpower reductions.”
High Energy Laser & Thermal Management Development – $24 million above the President’s FY16 Budget Request
“The Army’s high energy laser-mobile demonstrator is an important tool used to combat the threat that rockets, artillery, and mortar strikes pose to our forward deployed forces,” said Senator Shelby. “It is my hope that this additional funding will accelerate the design and development of this cutting-edge technology.”
Improved Homeland Defense Interceptors – $20 million above the President’s FY16 Budget Request
“Ground-based Midcourse Defense is vital to our efforts to protect the U.S. and our allies from rogue and unpredictable nations who seek to do us harm,” said Senator Shelby. “I am pleased that this bill includes additional funding to support the Missile Defense Agency’s work to improve our nation’s homeland defense capabilities.”
Prompt Global Strike Capability – $10 million
“The funding included in this bill will support the Department of Defense’s work to develop a hypersonic weapon that can deliver a precision conventional weapon strike anywhere in the world in under an hour,” said Senator Shelby. “I support the Space and Missile Defense Command’s work on this important capability, and strongly believe that America cannot afford to be behind other nations, like China, that are currently working to develop similar technologies.”