[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 77 (Monday, June 19, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S5357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         MULTI-YEAR PROCUREMENT FOR THE F/A-18 E/F SUPER HORNET

  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, I want to announce my unqualified 
support for the recent signing of the Multi-Year Procurement contract 
on Boeing's F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. This is a good day for U.S. 
national defense, the Navy, the American taxpayers, and the city of St. 
Louis.
  This announcement secures the production of the Super Hornet, which 
is in St. Louis, for the next 5 years. Valued at $8.9 billion for a 
total of 222 aircraft over 5 years, this contract will ensure that the 
Navy will have these planes and, in addition, U.S. taxpayers will save 
over $700 million. It is definitely a ``win-win'' situation.
  The U.S. Navy's award winning Super Hornet Program continues to be 
recognized throughout the Department of Defense and industry as the 
standard by which all other tactical aviation programs should be 
evaluated. Since the program's inception, the Super Hornet has met or 
exceeded all cost, weight and schedule goals and requirements.
  The Boeing Corporation, which is the prime contractor, in partnership 
with the Navy has introduced a 21st Century strike fighter that will 
ensure the Navy's carrier airwing is more than able to defeat today's 
threat and the projected threats of the first 30 years of this century. 
A balanced approach to survivability, revolutionary methods of design 
and manufacture, and a very cost-conscious approach to achieving and 
maintaining multi-mission superiority over the threat has given the 
Navy a new tactical aircraft that supports Navy budget realities.
  Mr. President, in addition to affordability, comparable performance, 
enhanced range, carrier bring back, more weapons stations, future 
growth and better survivability were major consideration for the next 
generation of carrier-based strike fighters. The Super Hornet has met 
the muster in every category.
  The Navy has not been shy about its support for this project, and I 
whole-heartedly agree with my good friend Admiral Jay Johnson, the 
Chief of Naval Operations, who recently stated: ``The F/A-18E/F Super 
Hornet is the cornerstone of the future of Naval aviation. . . . It 
will provide twice the sorties, a third the combat losses and forty 
percent greater range. We can't wait to get it to the fleet!''
  This contract is also a testimony to the excellent job the workers of 
St. Louis do every day. Without their dedication and commitment to 
quality, the Super Hornet would not be able to win such an important 
contract.
  In conclusion, I thank the people who made this contract a reality--
namely the people of St. Louis, the Boeing Corporation, the U.S. Navy, 
and my fellow Senators who joined me in my support of this wonderful 
project.

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