SECOND REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 79

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES WEBB (Sponsor), DAY, PACE, FUNDERBURK, ATKINS AND WALTON GRAY (Co-sponsors).

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            Whereas, the F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet is the Navy's next generation carrier-based strike fighter with advanced air-to-ground and air-to-air operational capabilities, and will be the backbone of the fleet for the next 25 years; and

            Whereas, the Department of Navy testified to a strike fighter shortfall of over 240 aircraft by 2016, which poses a significant operational risk by diminishing deterrent capabilities and limiting surge capability to respond to a crisis; and

            Whereas, aging F/A-18A-D aircraft are being used far beyond their original design life limits; and

            Whereas, any additional delay in F-35C initial operational capability (IOC) will significantly increase the strike fighter shortfall; and

            Whereas, both FY2010 defense authorization and appropriations bills authorized the Navy to enter into a multi-year procurement (MYP) contract to buy additional F/A-18 E/F Block II Super Hornets to mitigate the TACAIR shortfall; and

            Whereas, F/A-18A-D Hornets and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets currently fly 30% of all TACAIR sorties and 50% of all CENTCOM Close Air Support missions; and

            Whereas, 100% of the Super Hornets have been delivered on time and at cost; and

            Whereas, reliability and low operating costs for the F/A-18E/F have generated 20% in savings versus F/A-18A-D aircraft; and

            Whereas, current F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Program of Record production line ends in FY2013 without additional aircraft procurement; and

            Whereas, shutting down the production line results in loss of industrial base and limits the domestic strike fighter market to only a single manufacturer; and

            Whereas, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Program supports 23,426 direct and indirect jobs with 191 companies across the State of Missouri and has an estimated one billion dollars of total economic impact in Missouri:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fifth General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby support procurement of the F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet under a multi-year contract as a highly capable, low risk, and affordable mitigation to the Navy's TACAIR shortfall; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation.

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