[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 86 (Thursday, June 30, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
OPPOSITION TO THE LEVIN AMENDMENT TO S. 2182 TO DELETE FUNDS IN SUPPORT 
                        OF A B-2 INDUSTRIAL BASE

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise in opposition to the amendment 
offered by my distinguished colleague from Michigan. Supporting funds 
for a defense program to support the industrial base for that program 
is not a new idea. It is a sound one in many instances.
  I support these initiatives because I believe they are critical to 
our future defense needs. We must keep a robust bomber industrial base 
for American security needs. If the Congress denies the $150 million 
recommended by the Senate Armed Services Committee for support of the 
B-2 bomber industrial base, we will be terminating our ability to build 
heavy bombers in the future. This is very shortsighted. The advantages 
of stealth aircraft were fully proven during Desert Storm when the F-
117 aircraft flew more than 90 percent of the missions over Baghdad.
  Stealth aircraft do not require fighter escorts and defense 
suppression aircraft and electronic warfare aircraft to reach their 
targets, which in turn cuts down on the tanker support necessary to 
support the mission. In a recent newspaper article, reference was made 
to a mission during Desert Storm that required 75 aircraft with a total 
crew requirement of 135 to support the mission. Only two B-2 bombers 
would be required to fly the same mission with a total crew requirement 
of four personnel. Needless to say the potential force structure 
savings provided by stealth are very significant. Let me say a few 
things about what the $150 million recommended by the Senate Armed 
Services Committee does and what it does not do.
  It would stop the planned shut down of key suppliers; reestablish key 
suppliers who have already shut down; plan and requalify key components 
that are becoming obsolescent; and produce limited components and 
material, some of which can be used as spares for existing B-2's. The 
$150 million would not buy any additional B-2's and does not obligate 
the Government to buy additional B-2's.
  If the Congress does not approve the $150 million this year, and as a 
result of the ongoing review of roles and missions, the recommendation 
is made for fiscal year 1996 to reestablish the B-2 industrial base, 
the price tag will be $650 million. It is the prudent business decision 
to spend $150 million to preserve our options on the potential for more 
B-2 bombers. More than a prudent business decision, Mr. President, is 
the military requirement for more heavy bombers.
  The Bottom Up Review calls for a bomber force of 184 aircraft to 
conduct two major regional contingencies. This is significant to note 
because one major regional contingency alone could call for 100 bombers 
in order for the United States to prevail with minimum risk to our 
personnel. If the United States were faced with two major regional 
contingencies, a bomber force of 80 aircraft could bring about a 
situation where we could be faced with defeat in one theater in order 
to prevail in another, or long and protracted combat in both theaters 
with the outcome in both theaters uncertain. These are not acceptable 
risks.
  Mr. President, one of the keys to our success during Desert Storm was 
the use of the doctrine of ``overwhelming force,'' whereby we brought 
to bear sufficient force against our adversary to conclude the conflict 
on our terms with as little loss of U.S. personnel as possible. During 
Desert Storm, we were fortunate that we had 6 months to prepare for the 
conflict. Saddam Hussein's mistake was not lost on our potential 
adversaries. Adequate readiness does not assume a long planning 
timeframe for future contingencies. Therefore, it is imperative to have 
the systems in our inventory that can deliver the most firepower with 
the least required support. The B-2 bomber is the only system that can 
provide that edge.
  I ask my distinguished colleague from Michigan if he would consider 
not proposing his amendment since all of the arguments against it have 
already been made.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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