Search Results

open access

Air Force Aerial Refueling Methods: Flying Boom versus Hose-and-Drogue

Description: Decisions on the composition of the Air Force aerial refueling fleet were made decades ago, when the primary mission was to refuel long-range strategic bombers. Modifications have been made to many of these tanker aircraft (KC-135s and KC-10s) to make them more effective in refueling fighter aircraft. This report examines the balance between two different refueling methods in today's refueling fleet -- "flying boom" and "hose-and-drogue."
Date: June 5, 2006
Creator: Bolkcom, Christopher
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Air Force Aerial Refueling

Description: Aerial refueling aircraft are key to air operations. The U.S. tanker fleet is large and effective, but old. Modernizing or replacing the current fleet of tankers presents the Department of Defense (DOD) with difficult choices in terms of desired capabilities, force structure, and budget. How this fleet will be maintained or replaced, and on what schedule, has proven controversial.
Date: June 29, 2006
Creator: Bolkcom, Christopher
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Conventional Warheads for Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The United States has deployed long-range ballistic missiles as a part of its strategic offensive nuclear forces for more than 40 years. In recent years, analysts both inside and outside the government have suggested that the United States deploy conventional warheads on these missiles. This would provide the United States with the ability to strike promptly anywhere in the world, regardless of the presence of overseas bases or nearby naval forces. Many have expressed concerns about the possibi… more
Date: June 27, 2006
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Conventional Warheads for Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides an overview of the Administration’s rationale for the possible deployment of conventional warheads on long-range ballistic missiles. It then reviews the Air Force and Navy efforts to develop these systems. It summarizes congressional reaction to these proposals, then provides a more detailed account of the issues raised by these concepts and programs.
Date: June 27, 2006
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Ship Procurement: Alternative Funding Approaches -- Background and Options for Congress

Description: Some observers have proposed procuring Navy ships using incremental funding or advance appropriations rather than the traditional full funding approach that has been used to procure most Navy ships. Supporters believe these alternative funding approaches could increase stability in Navy shipbuilding plans and perhaps increase the number of Navy ships that could be built for a given total amount of ship-procurement funding. The issue for the 109th Congress is whether to maintain or change curren… more
Date: June 20, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Project BioShield

Description: Many potential biological terrorism agents lack available countermeasures. President Bush proposed Project BioShield to address this need and signed into law on July 21, 2004 S. 15 (The Project BioShield Act of 2004). The main provisions of this law include (1) relaxing procedures for bioterrorism-related procurement, hiring, and awarding of research grants; (2) guaranteeing a federal government market for new biomedical countermeasures; and (3) permitting emergency use of unapproved countermea… more
Date: June 5, 2006
Creator: Gottron, Frank
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Conventional Warheads for Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides an overview of the Administration’s rationale for the possible deployment of conventional warheads on long-range ballistic missiles. It then reviews the Air Force and Navy efforts to develop these systems. It summarizes congressional reaction to these proposals, then provides a more detailed account of the issues raised by these concepts and programs.
Date: June 27, 2006
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy DDG-1000 (DD(X)) and CG(X) Programs: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The Navy's proposed FY2007 budget requests $2,568 million in partial procurement funding for the first two DDG-1000 destroyers. The House version of the FY2007 defense appropriations bill (H.R. 5631) recommends approving this requested funding to instead fully fund the procurement of one DDG-1000. For a longer discussion of the DDG-1000 and CG(X), see CRS Report FL32109, Navy DDG-1000 (DD(X)), CG(X), and LCS Ship Acquisition Programs: Oversight Issues and Options for Congress, by Ronald O'Rourk… more
Date: June 20, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy CVN-21 Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The Navy's proposed FY2007 budget requests $739 million in advance procurement funding for CVN-78, the first ship in the CVN-21 class of aircraft carriers, and $45 million in advance procurement funding for the aircraft carrier CVN-79, the second ship in the class. The House version of the FY2007 defense appropriations bill (H.R. 5631) recommends approving this request.
Date: June 20, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

International Small Arms and Light Weapons Transfers: U.S. Policy

Description: This report provides general background on U.S. policy regarding the international trade in small arms and light weapons (SA/LW). It outlines major questions associated with the international trade in these items, and reviews United States efforts to assist in controlling the illicit transfers of these items. This report will be revised as developments warrant.
Date: June 27, 2006
Creator: Grimmett, Richard F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Trident Submarine Conversion (SSGN) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The FY2006 budget completed the funding required in the Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy (SCN) account for the Navy's program to refuel and convert four Trident ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) into cruise-missile-carrying and special operations forces (SOF) support submarines (SSGNs). The first two converted SSGNs reentered service in 2006; the other two are scheduled to reenter service by late 2007. The total estimated cost of the four-boat conversion program is about $4.0 billion.
Date: June 20, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 1990

Description: This report discusses U.S. security assistance to Taiwan, or Republic of China (ROC), including policy issues for Congress and legislation. U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have been significant. In addition, the United States has expanded military ties with Taiwan after the PRC's missile firing in 1995-1996. However, there is no defense treaty or alliance with Taiwan. Several policy issues are of concern to Congress for legislation, oversight, or other action: 1) the effectiveness of the Administrati… more
Date: June 29, 2006
Creator: Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler Aircraft: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is the Navy's highest priority aviation modernization program. The decision to undertake F/A-18E/F Super Hornet program was made during a period of great turbulence in Navy aviation modernization. During this time frame the Navy struggled to identify and implement the best way to modernize its aging fleet of F-14 fighters and A-6E attack aircraft. The Department of Defense is currently facing a shortage of radar and communications jamming capability. The Super Hornet … more
Date: June 8, 2006
Creator: Bolkcom, Christopher
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Air Force FB-22 Bomber Concept

Description: The Air Force has expressed interest in developing a bomber variant of the F-22A Raptor to "bridge the gap" between today's bombers and a follow-on bomber in 2037. Questions exist regarding the FB-22's feasibility, cost, and combat potential.
Date: June 5, 2006
Creator: Bolkcom, Christopher
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Nuclear Weapons: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

Description: A comprehensive test ban treaty, or CTBT, is the oldest item on the nuclear arms control agenda. These treaties currently limit testing to underground only, with a maximum force equal to 150,000 tons of TNT. Since 1997, the United States has held 22 "subcritical experiments" at the Nevada Test Site, asserting that these experiments do not violate the CTBT because they cannot produce a self-sustaining chain reaction. The Senate rejected the CTBT on October 13, 1999, and the current Administratio… more
Date: June 21, 2006
Creator: Medalia, Jonathan
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Coast Guard Deepwater Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The Deepwater program is a $24 billion, 25-year acquisition program to replace or modernize 93 Coast Guard ships and 207 Coast Guard aircraft. The Coast Guard's FY2007 budget requests $934.431 million for the program. Some Members of Congress have criticized and expressed strong concerns over the Deepwater program on several grounds. The House-reported version of H.R. 5441, the FY2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill, recommends $892.64 million for the Deepwater program. more
Date: June 1, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Back to Top of Screen