Specifically, this funding will support research and development of: the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter; space security programs; the new Air Force bomber program; a next-generation JSTARS aircraft; the Ohio-class submarine replacement; Future Vertical Lift; the Israeli Cooperative Programs; and other important research and development activities, including those within the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Equipment Procurement – The legislation provides a total of $149 billion – $132.5 billion for base requirements and $16.5 billion for OCO/GWOT requirements – for equipment and upgrades. Funding for base requirements is $18.6 billion above the request and $24.1 billion above fiscal year 2017. These funds support our nation’s military readiness by providing the necessary platforms, weapons, and other equipment our military needs to train, maintain the force, and conduct successful operations.
For example, the bill includes: $21.5 billion to procure 11 Navy ships, including funding for one carrier replacement, two DDG-51 guided missile destroyers, two Virginia-class submarines, and three Littoral Combat Ships; $9.5 billion for 84 F-35 aircraft; $1.8 billion for 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft; $1.05 billion for 56 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters; $117.5 million for 12 MQ-1 Gray Eagle unmanned aerial vehicles; $1.2 billion for 7 P-8A Poseidon aircraft; $2.4 billion for 15 KC-46 tanker aircraft; $348 million for 116 Stryker Double V-Hull upgrades; $1.09 billion for the upgrade of 85 Abrams tanks; $483 million for the upgrade of 145 Bradley fighting vehicles; $332 million for the Israeli Cooperative Programs; $298 million for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV); $100 million for National Guard High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) recapitalization; and $1 billion for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account.