[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 102 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 KC-135 REPLACEMENT PROGRAM TECHNOLOGY

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                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, it is more important than ever that our 
military have the best technologies available in their weapon systems 
and equipment. The tremendous strides that have been made in the area 
of technology have allowed us to do more with less. With a smaller 
force, it becomes imperative to provide the best technology and the 
best capabilities to our warfighters.
  Our front line systems require cutting edge technologies to preserve 
the maximum advantage over our adversaries. It is important that we 
remain mindful of this as we look to the KC-135 Tanker replacement 
aircraft the Air Force is scheduled to purchase. We would be ill 
advised to disregard the technologies available in the aircraft being 
offered, as this aircraft will be in our inventory for decades.
  This KC-X competition involves an older aircraft and a newer one. Old 
technology built today is still old, and offers little in the 
competitive environment. Retrofitting add-on technologies into older 
aircrafts' cockpits and elsewhere are costly modifications that offer 
only a partial solution to acquiring the best available aircraft.
  Instead, the Air Force should consider the value of buying the 
latest, proven generation of commercial aircraft with modem technology 
already integrated into the platform. In closing, I believe we must 
procure the most advanced technology available for this aircraft to 
both accomplish the mission and to ensure the highest level of 
performance over its service life. The Air Force has a clear 
opportunity to procure the most advanced aircraft for the KC-X and our 
warfighters deserve no less.

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