Jerry Lewis: “Mr. Chairman, the airborne laser integrates a high power laser on a Boeing 747 aircraft. It is designed to protect our…”

“Mr. Chairman, the airborne laser integrates a high power laser on a Boeing 747 aircraft. It is designed to protect our deployed troops from the threat of theater ballistic missiles. The Pentagon requested $153 million to address program shortfalls. The amendment reduces that request by $55 million, leaving an increase of $98 million. It is true that in the January time frame this year, the Air Force estimated the airborne laser shortfall to be at $98 million. Thirty-four million was part of cost growth, $64 million rephase efforts originally planned for out years. Since January, the Air Force has identified two additional areas of increased cost which total $55 million as follows: $30 million additional cost growth for the loss of suppliers, technical complexities, et cetera; $25 million additional spares to reduce testing risks. We have scrutinized these additional costs carefully and have determined that they are necessary to keep the program on track. Failure to fund the additional cost growth could force the contractor to stop work on the program. Failure to fund the additional spares will likely lead to inefficient schedule disruptions that will increase costs further. The airborne laser already has a very tight schedule for a 2003 lethal demonstration against a theater missile. This is an important program required to protect our troops from weapons of mass destruction.”