STATEMENT: The Clinton-Gore Administration deferred modernization of military equipment to the extent that our critical military weapons systems are overworked and aging.
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* FACTS * * *
The "Clinton Administration's Procurement Holiday" has lead to serious
modernization problems. In 1999, then Commandant of the Marine Corps,
General Charles Krulak, stated before the House Armed Services Committee
that, "We are transporting Marines and equipment in CH-53Ds that we had
expected would leave our inventory seven years ago; and, at current replacement
rates, we will be flying them for another 10 years. Our fleet of
KC-130F tankers is approaching 40 years of age, almost twice its planned
service life."
The U.S. Navy's fleet of aircraft is aging rapidly -- from an average age
of 14 years in 1992, 17.2 years in 1999, to 17.5 years in 2001. If
additional aircraft are not procured, the average age of Navy aircraft
will be 21 years by 2007. In 2003, approximately 2/3rds of the Navy
inventory of aircraft will be greater than 15 years old.
The U.S. Air Force bomber fleet, which has been so successful in the efforts in Afghanistan, is on average 23.4 years old with our B-52's averaging 38.8 years. 41% of the active duty fleet is 24 years or older.
The average age of Army helicopters has grown from an average age of 10.2
years in 1980 to 17.6 years in 2000.
* * * ACTION * * *
Increase procurement spending by $30 billion in FY03 to approximately $90 billion.
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