2023 Federal Issues Book

HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER, ALABAMA

FEDERAL BUDGET

Our Federally focused business community functions best with predictable and dependable funding for federal programs. We recognize that the delegation will be working through numerous complex budget issues in the coming years, including how to manage the debt limit, how to reduce the federal deficit, and how to ensure fiscal responsibility in the expectation of limited tax revenue. As the delegation knows, an extended Government shutdown would have detrimental consequences to the north Alabama economy. To the extent possible, we request that our members vigorously support efforts to pass appropriations bills in a timely manner thus avoiding the prospect of continuing resolutions, which drive up program costs and adversely impact schedule delivery. We encourage Congress to support inflation-adjusted funding on necessary programs and continue full funding for our Nation’s space exploration programs and defense programs, especially U.S. Army modernization programs. We urge Congress to continue its efforts to increase, across the board, overall funding for science and technology and advanced research and development for, defense, justice, and aerospace, programs. Implementing a responsible and transparent method of Congressionally directed appropriations (earmarks), would restore the Constitutional “power of the purse,” bringing more lawmakers to the negotiating table, and making federal spending more responsive to the taxpayers’ needs.

U.S. HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT & EXPLORATION POLICY

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) continues to generate significant economic impact to the state, region, and Nation. Programs managed and supported by the Center have national significance and represent the most technically-diverse portfolio of any NASA Center. MSFC has a recognized 60-year heritage leading complex engineering human-rated space transportation and propulsion systems, large space structures and systems, and scientific research to make human space exploration a reality. More than 7,000 jobs directly support the mission of MSFC, yielding a statewide economic impact of $4.3B and 24,400 jobs. Just as importantly is the fact that Marshall’s programs impact almost every state in the Nation yielding a nationwide impact of 43,700 jobs and $8.3B to the U.S. economy.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM (SLS)

■ SLS successfully launched a human-rated spacecraft to deep space for the first time in 50 years and set a distance record for human exploration in the process. Ensure SLS funding continues at a level to support completion of development of upper stage capable of delivering 43 MT to Trans-Lunar Injection (130 MT to low-Earth orbit); support Artemis 2-4 missions with SLS block 1B ready for launch by 2025 and sustain a cadence of once per year thereafter; preserve block 2 by supporting booster obsolescence available by Artemis 9.

■ SLS and Orion represent a multi-year strategic investment of our Nation’s top engineering talent and taxpayer dollars to preserve American leadership in space. Encourage fullest use of SLS and Orion as national assets for deep space exploration plans beyond Low Earth Orbit and renew science and national security missions that can benefit from its unparalleled lift and payload capabilities; support development of SLS cargo capabilities to support these unique and enabling capabilities

and missions not available anywhere else.

■ Support Artemis and SLS program sustainability and stability in the evolution of SLS from a development program to a more affordable and sustainable long-term Exploration Production and Operations Contract (EPOC), managed by NASA MSFC, to enable more robust exploration, national security, and scientific payload architectures.

HUMAN AND CARGO LANDING SYSTEMS (HLS/CLS)

■ Ensure sustained budget for lunar lander systems development and sustained lunar presence by supporting a competitively awarded second HLS provider by mid 2023 with a competition for sustained services by 2028

■ Ensure HLS synergy by enabling medium to large cargo surface landers under Marshall lander leadership

■ Ensure technology gap development activities continue under HLS App N

MOON TO MARS (M2M) SYSTEMS

To support SLS sustainability going forward, Marshall workforce will reduce significantly and become available to support NASA’s Moon-to-Mars (M2M) Program. Support Marshall’s role in this program by supporting the following initiatives:

■ M2M Habitation & Deep Space Transit Systems Program Office – This program will develop advanced environmental control and life support systems, scientific payload developments, and foundational in-transit, surface, and mobility habitation systems. Scope also includes advanced in-space propulsion and propellant storage systems

■ M2M Logistics Program Office – Sustainable deep space exploration will require groundbreaking logistics planning and placement of inventory and maintenance for the Artemis campaign. This program will develop systems for surface placement, pre-positioning of assets, integration planning, and return systems.

■ Space Nuclear Propulsion Program Office – Support the establishment of the SNP program office at Marshall to include the development of enabling the design and development of nuclear-based transportation (nuclear electric propulsion and nuclear thermal propulsion) for the M2M campaign.

■ Technology Gap Investments – Increase funding in M2M risk reduction technologies such as cryogenic fluid management, in-space manufacturing, advanced and additive manufacturing, nuclear and other in-space transportation systems

■ Mars Ascent Vehicle – Continue to support Marshall’s lead role working on the Mars Sample Return Mission

SCIENCE

■ Science Operations – Propose MSFC assigned as program lead to integrate all human science operations activity for LEO and Deep space Science operations. Leverage and expand from Marshall’s current ISS payload operations, science mission operations, and secondary payload operations.

■ Science Missions – Maintain and enhance MSFC’s roles in Earth, Space and Planetary Science research, applications, and missions such as the Chandra, Fermi, and Lynx Observatories, Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), Solar Cruiser and Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV); Support robust funding for NASA’s SERVIR, SPoRT, and IMPACT Earth Science programs, providing data for agriculture and disaster mitigation.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL

■ Engineering Science Laboratory (ESF) – Support the repair by replacement and footprint reduction (net reduction of three buildings) ESF. Everything flying or that will fly goes through this facility and is key to the future Marshall work across all NASA mission directorates.

INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION

■ Enable and encourage more open collaboration between NASA, DoD, and NRO. The best interest of the American people is served through closer cooperation between the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to share capabilities, capacities, and resources more effectively and efficiently in executing programs that support national goals and objectives in space. Concerted action is needed across departments and agencies to identify common use areas and implement new joint efforts to field capabilities and complete missions in the most effective way and best interests of the U.S. taxpayer.

U.S. ARMY’S COMBAT CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMAND (DEVCOM) AVIATION & MISSILE CENTER (AVMC)

The U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) has been a cornerstone of research and development (R&D) on Redstone Arsenal (RSA) for over 60 years. Since inception the AvMC has evolved into a world-class organization employing approximately 12,000 engineers and scientists housed within laboratories and facilities exceeding 1.9 million square feet. AvMC’s three mission priorities are to 1) execute aviation and missile S&T projects to support Army modernization priorities; 2) provide engineering services to enterprise partners leading Army modernization efforts; 3) support readiness, lifecycle engineering and sustainment efforts with Army enterprise partners. As Redstone Arsenal has grown, so has the need for the valuable expertise and capabilities that reside within the Center. Approximately 84 percent of AvMC funding comes from reimbursable customers to include Intra-service (agreements within the Army); Intra-agency (agreements between DoD components); and Interagency (agreements between a DoD component and a federal agency) customers. The continued support for aviation and missile S&T research is necessary, along with investments in government and industry infrastructure, to develop advanced technologies capable of maturing into the weapons needed to defend against threats from near-peer nations or non-state actors.

National Impact: Because of their extensive capabilities, the Army and nation rely upon the AvMC as a crucial resource for solving critical engineering challenges. Presently, the AvMC serves as DEVCOM’s lead Center for modernization activities driven by two of the Army’s eight Cross Functional Teams (CFTs), Air and Missile Defense, and Future Vertical Lift. AvMC plays a critical role in support of Long-Range Precision Fires CFT and provides engineering support activities to the remaining CFTs; Advanced Precision Navigation and Timing (A-PNT), Next Generation Combat Vehicle, Soldier Lethality, Synthetic Training Environment and Network. These CFTs employ AvMC’s experienced scientists and engineers, specialized laboratories, and repositories of proven models and performance data to determine maturity, applicability, and robustness of candidate technologies required to address defined operational capability gaps. AvMC provides a critical enabling

role in support of Army weapon system demonstrations to accelerate fielding of critical technologies vs traditional acquisition approaches. The complexity of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) requires weapon system capabilities to be addressed as system-of-systems vice as unique individual platforms. Additionally, enduring aviation and missile platforms must remain relevant to MDO via technology insertion to provide capabilities that complement the transition to modernization programs.

Key engineering support efforts ongoing within the AvMC include configuration and propulsion system analysis for Future Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program, modular open system architecture (MOSA) assessments for Future Long Range Assault Aircraft and Army Aviation’s enduring fleet; Aviation autonomy for contested logistics; Intelligent teaming; Project Convergence demonstrations of reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA), electronic warfare/ electronic attack (EW/EA), and decoy & detect, identify, located & report (DILR) technologies for Air launched effects (ALE); Future Tactical UAS and Electric VTOL concept evaluations; Development of seeker technology and range extension technologies for Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 2 & Increment 4 Capability; Development of the advanced hypersonic technology implementation plan supporting potential block upgrades of Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW); Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AMDL); kinetic, directed energy and precision targeting technology for counter UAS; and Next Generation Close Combat Missile development and test.

AvMC serves as a key enabling organization in DoD microelectronic initiative, providing technical subject matter experts to ensure U.S. military has access to trusted and assured microelectronic devices for aviation and missile weapon systems. Finally, AvMC provides critical airworthiness engineers for the Army Airworthiness Authority and assesses all aircraft modifications for the Army to ensure they do not adversely impact flight safety. The insertion of multi-core processors, artificial intelligence and other non-deterministic systems are unique to the advancement of military capabilities which requires the AvMC airworthiness authority to invest in the development of more robust certification methods that are far advanced from the airworthiness challenges currently being addressed by the FAA and other non-DoD airworthiness agencies. The airworthiness authority must keep pace with the model-based system engineering tools and digital engineering practices required to support robust and efficient acquisition processes required for fielded systems.

Community Impact: Nearly one-quarter of Redstone’s 42,000 employees, including engineers and scientists from more than 250 Huntsville companies, work in the AvMC’s three directorates. The Center and its cost-reimbursable model create a win-win scenario. Funding organizations gain access to unparalleled engineering expertise and facilities within AvMC that would be cost-prohibitive to duplicate. The Army and AvMC, in turn, receive funds that sustain the essential laboratories and engineering talent needed to propel Army Futures Command priorities. The financial impact of a healthy and well-resourced AvMC is measured in billions of dollars over the span of DoD budget cycle.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Continue to support and fund additional missile and aviation S&T research (6.2 basic research, 6.3 applied research) to provide engineering, development and testing of technologies relevant to Long Range Precision Fires, Air and Missile Defense, Future Vertical Lift, and Cyber & Electromagnetic Activities.

■ Increase and support aviation and missile 6.4 funding at a level that allows the Army to transition technologies that will keep the enduring platforms technologically relevant and enable the prototyping necessary to evaluate the future capabilities.

■ Increase and support Army airworthiness 6.6 (D-092) and 6.7 (D-102 engine product improvements) funding lines to enable development of electronic/hybrid aircraft propulsion systems, innovative airworthiness approaches and efficient and effective airworthiness assessments to increase flight safety as new manufacturing techniques (ex. Additive manufacturing), nondeterministic systems and digital engineering methods are implemented on enduring and future Army aviation fleets.

■ Increase and support Army manufacturing technology 6.7 research line focusing on advanced ceramics and CMC development and protective technologies to close technological, risk, manufacturing production and affordability gaps related to Army aviation and missile systems.

■ Support efforts to make permanent the authorities provided by Section 1109 of the NDAA for 2016 entitled “Science and Technology Reinvention laboratory (STRL) Pilot Program on Dynamic Shaping of the Workforce.” Authorities granted provide the ability for STRLs such as AvMC to continually shape their personnel systems to meet their needs in attracting and retaining exceptional talent in today’s competitive economy but expire on December 31, 2023.

DIRECTED ENERGY

Continued technological innovations in Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) are of increasing interest to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Justice (DoJ), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Most notably, the development of solid-state High Energy Lasers (HEL), advances in High Power Microwaves (HPM) technologies, and advances in the size reduction of weapon system subsystems have transformed DEWs from “tomorrow to today.” The government has invested heavily in DE systems including the Army HEL and HPM providing new and promising innovations that will keep the U.S. ahead of the power curve on the modern battlefield, whether against near-peer nations or in the fight against non-state actors. This perspective is reinforced by the shift in the National Defense Strategy from counterterrorism to great-power competition with near-peer adversaries. DEWs provide the Warfighter with the ability to engage a target at the speed of light and produce scalable effects from temporary to permanent, thereby reducing the possibility of collateral damage. They also provide a relatively unlimited number of low-cost shots, constrained only by the fuel supply of the platform, which greatly reduce the logistics tail and associated cost.

National Impact: Hostile events witnessed throughout the world display real-world threats around practically every corner. Just a few examples of such events include attacks across Ukraine from Russia and its allies at tactical to strategic targets, continuous drone and cruise missile attacks across the Middle East, and numerous reconnaissance missions across the world with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) With the proliferation of low-cost yet capable small UAS, the U.S. government and military requires sophisticated systems to identify, classify and potentially destroy any threat with hostile intent. Threats are not limited to just UASs but also include Rocket, Artillery, and Mortars (RAM); rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft; guided missiles; and raid scenarios. DEW can pair well with kinetic interceptors and create a layered defense critical to helping us defend our and our allies’ critical assets. This allows us to reserve kinetic options for higher

priority threats. Senior leaders have now deployed DEW systems to accurately counter these threats on foreign battlefields as well as on U.S. soil in a prototype effort.

Community Impact: The Army and the Joint Services are leveraging commonalities in DEW initiatives to increase combat effectiveness and maximize resources for possible future Programs of Record. As part of this focus, the Army has realigned DEW science and technology efforts in support of the Army’s modernization priorities. The Huntsville-based Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) has been created with the mission to execute the strategy to deliver prototypes with residual combat capability to operational combat units beginning in 2023. The RCCTO’s DEW focus has expanded beyond their 2021 goals in two capability sets: Directed Energy-Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) and Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) to include palletized DEW variants. They, in conjunction with the Joint Counter UAS Office (JCO), have led the deployment and further development of additional DEW into the Middle East and are planning additional global areas of employment in 2023. Huntsville-based companies are on the forefront in these efforts and are working options today to secure additional manufacturing capabilities and workforce in and across Alabama. Additionally, RCCTO is exploring existing HPM solutions as part of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM) and is partnering with DE counterparts at the Navy and the U.S. Air Force to transition proven HPM technology.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Increase funding and add POM language to support additional procurement and fielding of DE M-SHORAD, IFPC-HEL, IFPC HPM and palletized variants. Funding today is not sufficient for additional prototypes and sustainment. This support assures the full fielding of the necessary residual combat capability to properly equip all our Services’ units with the tools to win on the battlefields of today and tomorrow and keep industry primed while Programs of Records are established.

■ Continue to fund and support technology follow-on DE M-SHORAD, IFPC-HEL , and palletized variants in order to capitalize on DEW emerging technologies and capabilities.

■ Increase funding to support development and fielding of containerized DEW solutions in support of Army and Joint C-UAS critical capability gaps.

■ Continue to fund IFPC-HPM efforts in order to serve as a combat multiplier with other DEW capabilities in Army combat formations.

■ Continue to support and fund Army S&T research (6.2 basic research, 6.3 applied research) to provide engineering, development and testing of DE technologies that provide innovative, advanced capability to our military.

■ Increase funding to support development of higher power DEW systems for complex longer range Missile Defense Agency missions.

■ Continue support for Recovery of Airbase Denied By Ordnance (RADBO) production in support of the Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal units.

HYPERSONIC WEAPONS SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT & DEMONSTRATION (STRIKE & DEFENSE)

National Impact: Due to demonstrations of Hypersonic Strike Capabilities by near-peer adversaries, the DoD has intensified its focus to ensure the U.S. has both offensive and defensive capabilities to ex-

ceed and counter these evolving threats. The Department’s sense of urgency, reflected in the 2018 National Defense Strategy, is demonstrated by numerous efforts to rapidly field hypersonic capability for ground, air, submarine, and ship launched long range strike missions. Similarly, MDA has responded to the National Defense Strategy prioritization with significant investment in bolstering the national BMDS to advance U.S. capability against hypersonic threats.

Community Impact: Key organizations leading hypersonic weapon system development, the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO M&S), and MDA are headquartered on Redstone Arsenal. Numerous industry partners with a presence in the Huntsville area are actively involved in technology development efforts related to hypersonic materials, manufacturing capability, ground and flight test infrastructure improvements, program development and technical and acquisition program support to DoD agencies overseeing hypersonic weapon system development and demonstration. These programs provide positive impact to the Huntsville community through the creation of new jobs related to the development, integration, and fielding of Hypersonic weapon systems. An example is the recent Courtland, Ala. grand opening of Missile Assembly Building 4 (MAB4), a new digital factory for hypersonic strike production. Over the past two years, the Courtland facility has added a total of 117,000 square feet of manufacturing space. With this growth, is nearly 300 jobs to Courtland and Huntsville. Additionally, the National Hypersonics Production Facility, located in MidCity Huntsville, Ala. is the primary production facility of the Common Hypersonic Glide Body. As a result, the Huntsville community is developing a sustained workforce in hypersonics with experience in modeling and simulation, ground test and evaluation, and manufacturing of complex high-performance systems which will provide future offensive and defensive capability to address the evolving adversarial hypersonic threat.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Increased funding for additional procurement and fielding of Common Hypersonic Glide Bodies (CHGB). This will support and maintain the hypersonic industrial base.

■ Add additional language and funding to support further affordability and producibility assessments of CHGB.

■ Fully fund Hypersonic Weapon System Development Programs to the FY22 President’s budget level in RDT&E, in all services, for development, testing, and future fielding of Hypersonic Weapons.

■ Continue to fund and support Technology Insertion plans and roadmaps that enable greater capability and disruptive technologies (i.e. non-kinetic effectors) over adversaries.

■ Hypersonic weapons testing infrastructure.

AIR FORCE SENTINEL PROGRAM

National Impact: U.S. strategists have determined a nuclear triad is the most strategically sound means to credibly deter adversaries. The Sentinel program (formerly called the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent or “GBSD”) is the replacement system for the Minuteman III ICBMs, the current land leg of the nuclear triad. To remain safe, secure and effective, the U.S. must modernize its Cold War legacy nuclear forces. The Sentinel weapon system will incorporate new air vehicle equipment, command, launch and support equipment. New hardware and software will be integrated across all systems while ensuring with nuclear surety, safety and cybersecurity requirements. Upgrading launch facilities, missile base support facilities and test facilities is also required. By investing in modernization now, the U.S.

and its allies avoid a costly and dangerous lapse in the protection provided by the land-based leg of the nuclear triad. Sentinel will be the most capable and cost-effective ICBM system and will need to deter adversaries and assure allies through the end of this century.

Community Impact: Northrop Grumman Corp. has opened a new facility in Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park to support the U.S. Air Force’s Sentinel program, adding new jobs to the region and expanding its role supporting critical national security and civil space programs in the state. Additionally, Aerojet Rocketdyne is ramping up work on Sentinel at its new Advanced Manufacturing Facility in north Huntsville. The company will be developing and producing composite cases for Sentinel’s large solid rocket motors. Also, Northrop Grumman subcontracts to small businesses in the Huntsville region and continues to grow the small business support.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Continued support of Sentinel and the nuclear triad is critical to maintaining these and many additional supporting subcontractor jobs in the region, recruiting new talent and ensuring this deterrent remains safe, secure and credible to protect the United States and its allies.

MISSILE DEFENSE

GROUND-BASED MIDCOURSE DEFENSE (GMD) PROGRAM

National Impact: Defending the Nation 24/7/365, GMD is the only system designed and fielded to defend the entire U.S. homeland from a long range ballistic missile attack and is a critical element of the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) integrated and layered missile defense architecture. The Ground Based Interceptors deployed in Ft. Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., provide the President with the option to intercept and destroy long range ballistic missile threats launched against U.S. territory in their midcourse phase of flight.

To support flexibility in operations and sustainment of the GMD system, construction of the new Missile Field at Fort Greely, Ark., is now complete. The 20 new silos will allow for movement of Ground Based Interceptors in order to maintain maximum readiness of the current fleet as well as positions to support future Next Generation Interceptor emplacements. In 2022, MDA also awarded the GMD Weapon System (GWS) and GMD System Integration Test & Readiness (SITR) Contracts aimed at increasing GMD system reliability, warfighter confidence, and performance to pace the threat.

Community Impact: GMD supports over 3,000 government and industry jobs in the Huntsville area, which is the main center for management and technical oversight of the system. Without adequate funding, the Huntsville area is vulnerable to losing a knowledge base of extremely highly-skilled workers who support what is considered one of the most technically challenging efforts the government has ever undertaken.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Support funding across the GMD program that support critical system & Ground Based Interceptor fleet sustainment activities as well as improve the performance and reliability through modernization.

■ To ensure viability in the system going forward, continued strong investment in robust system sustainment and service life extension programs (SLEP) must be included in MDA funding.

■ To ensure the success and timeline of newly awarded GMD Futures contracts, support funding for these programs (GWS, NGI, and SITR) to ensure synchronization of component delivery, integration, and on time fielding of new capability.

■ Support investment in robust system sustainment to increase warfighter confidence and ensure performance and reliability of the existing Ground System and In-Service Ground Based Interceptor Fleet.

■ Support for including GMD options in the Department’s consideration for enhancements to near-, mid-, and far-term capabilities for the homeland missile defense mission, to include consideration of an expanded and dispersed homeland missile defense architecture (e.g. CONUS Interceptor Site for the East Coast).

NEXT GENERATION INTERCEPTOR (NGI)

National Impact: The Next Generation Interceptor is a tip-to-tail All Up Round addition to the operational Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Weapon System that protects our homeland against current and future evolving ballistic missile threats. This capability will be initially fielded in the late 2020s timeframe. The current Ground Based Interceptor fleet with unitary kill vehicles is approaching its end of life and will be augmented with Next Generation Interceptor, equipped with multiple kill vehicles, to pace threat evolution.

The Next Generation Interceptor acquisition began with a series of Requests for Information and draft Requests for Proposal (RFPs) from June 2019 through March 2020. The Final RFP was released in April 2020 and Industry proposals were submitted in August 2020. In March 2021, two contractors were awarded initial development and demonstration contracts. The MDA plans to down-select to a single industry partner for production in the coming years.

Community Impact: The Next Generation Interceptor program will support thousands of government and industry jobs in the northern Alabama area, including government and industry program management, engineering and production/manufacturing.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Support the President’s Budget request and the outyear budgets established by MDA. Support MDA by funding two designs until an appropriate down-select point is determined by the U.S. government.

COMMAND AND CONTROL, BATTLE MANAGEMENT, AND COMMUNICATIONS (C2BMC)

National Impact: C2BMC is an iterative development program of record and the integrating element of our nation’s Missile Defense System (MDS). It provides continuous command, control and global connectivity between MDS sensors and shooters, engagement coordination, battle management, global missile defense planning, sensor fusion and interfaces with allied systems. C2BMC uniquely provides situational awareness to the POTUS, Combatant Commanders at USEUCOM, USINDOPACOM, USNORTHCOM, USCENTCOM, USSTRATCOM, SPACECOM, and DoD decision makers. C2BMC, which is operationally fielded across 17 time zones in 33 locations, features more than 48,000 miles of communication lines that combines all sensors and threat data into a seamless missile defense architecture. C2BMC delivers unparallel speed, accuracy and coordination as the lead integrator, across all domains, for the Missile Defense System.

Community Impact: The C2BMC program currently employs over 650 personnel, with approximately 100 in Huntsville, Ala. The crit-

ical talent required for these specialized activities creates a center of excellence in the Missile Defense industry.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Continue to support MDA budget for long term integration and fielding to warfighters

■ Continued Weapon system integration and capability development

■ Continued development for advanced integration to support Space Domain Awareness, Homeland Defense, and counter Hypersonic and Cruise missile defense.

TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENSE (THAAD)

National Impact: THAAD is a combat proven and a key element of the U.S. Missile Defense System capable of intercepting ballistic missiles in both the endo- and exo-atmospheres. THAAD is interoperable with the other joint MDS components, provides large area defense, and is the only MDS element that currently uses “hitto-kill” technology to destroy threat warheads both within and outside the atmosphere. THAAD units remain operationally deployed today, defending against ballistic missile threats and enhancing regional security. THAAD’s unique ballistic missile defense capabilities and demonstrated success continue to increase U.S. and international demand for THAAD.

Community Impact: The THAAD program provides more than 475 government and industry jobs in the Huntsville area.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Support the President’s budget request for THAAD.

■ Support funding for THAAD follow-on critical capability development plans to provide enhanced capabilities to the warfighter and sustain critical engineering jobs in the Huntsville area.

■ Advocate for additional THAAD international sales in support of U.S. Cooperative Defense initiatives.

LONG-RANGE DISCRIMINATION RADAR (LRDR) AND HOMELAND DEFENSE RADAR – HAWAII (HDR-H)

National Impact: Due to an evolving threat, the MDA is continuing to quickly field a land-based LRDR, with a DD-250 planned in 2023 in Clear, Alaska. MDA is also looking to field a second land-based HDR-H in Hawaii. These programs are the backbone of MDA’s layered defense strategy to protect the U.S. homeland from ballistic missile attack. LRDR and HDR-H will provide a persistent 24/7/365 midcourse acquisition, precision tracking, enhanced discrimination, improved reaction time, higher kill probability, highest operational availability, and scalable, open architecture (OA) growth capacity to counter evolving threats in the Pacific region. The program scope includes facilities construction, radar development, installation, initial operations, and sustainment. MDA is taking a long-term view of LRDR and HDR-H, with planned deployment for the next 40 to 50 years.

Community Impact: Positive impact to the Huntsville community through the creation of new jobs in modeling and simulation, algorithm development, software and hardware. With the addition of HDR-H, new jobs include facility construction.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Fully fund the President’s budget request for LRDR and restore HDR-H to ensure the homeland can be defended against evolving threats from the Pacific Region.

■ Advocate for LRDR international sales in support of U.S. Cooperative Defense initiatives.

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY MODELING AND SIMULATION CONTRACTS

National Impact: The MASC-F, MASC-T and SWDC contracts are the Missile Defense Agency’s primary contracts that develops and sustains the MDA’s modeling and simulation (M&S) capabilities to test the Missile Defense System (MDS). These hardware-in-theloop and digital environments provide MDA the capability to conduct numerous simulation-supported activities; to include concept analysis, element engineering, performance assessment, integrated and distributed ground test, flight test support, and training and exercises of the Combatant Commands. As the central integrating simulation component, these efforts under these contracts connect real world and joint all domain operations elements to enable the Agency to simulate complex missile defense scenarios. By utilizing these M&S capabilities the MDA can provide higher confidence in the system and explore more of the operational envelop than would be viable through live testing alone.

Community Impact: The MASC-F and MASC-T programs currently employ over 200 personnel and provide support to over 15 subcontractors, primarily in Huntsville, AL. The critical talent required for these specialized activities creates a center of excellence for MDS M&S in the region.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Continue to support MDA budget for Modeling & Simulation activities.

NATIONAL TEAM-ENGINEERING (NT-E)

National Impact: Private industry has teamed together to support the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) in its evolution of the Missile Defense System (MDS) to keep pace with the missile threat to our homeland, deployed forces, and allies. The industry National Team does this through sophisticated modeling and simulation, system engineering, and technical evaluations and assessments for MDA, its various programs and associated tests. The National Team is designed to provide independent technical support outside the purview of any particular program element of the MDS. The current National Team employs a trusted, proven collaboration mechanism among all MDA communities that protects industry proprietary and competition sensitive data allowing rapid development and access to emerging industry technologies and concepts.

Community Impact: Significant National Team work share is done in the north Alabama area across several major and small business employers, supporting about 250 employees.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Continued support for MDA National Team funding.

INTEGRATED AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE BATTLE COMMAND SYSTEM (IBCS)

National Impact: IBCS is the cornerstone of the Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) modernization program. Designed to connect the force for unified action against evolving threats, IBCS is a command and control system for the air and missile defense mission that integrates current systems to maximize employment flexibility in completely different ways than ever before. In November 2022, IBCS completed its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E). Completion of IOT&E is the last major test

event before the U.S. Army makes the decision to move the program from low rate initial production to full rate production, allowing IBCS to be fielded around the world.

Community Impact: IBCS work is performed in Huntsville; supporting hundreds of engineering, manufacturing, and program management jobs.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the President’s Budget request for IBCS.

PATRIOT MISSILE SYSTEM

National Impact: The PATRIOT Missile System is the most successful and effective air and missile defense capability currently employed by U.S. forces and sixteen (16) allied partners (with Switzerland expected to award by end of 2QTR FY23) and is a component of the Missile Defense Agency’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (MDA’s BMDS). U.S. Army estimates indicate that the PATRIOT will provide critical Air and Missile Defense capability to our Joint forces to 2050 and beyond. PATRIOT radars (and Radar Interface Units (RIUs), launchers, interceptors (to include GEM-T, PAC-3 and MSE) will be essential components to the U.S. Army’s IBCS system upon its successful fielding.

Community Impact: Huntsville and Redstone Arsenal are PATRIOT’s birthplace and home. Hundreds of civilian and government jobs in the Huntsville area are critical to the PATRIOT program. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases for PATRIOT are processed through the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC), Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO M&S), the Army Materiel Commands’ Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD), and through U.S. Army Contracting Command - Redstone Arsenal. U.S. Military cases are processed through PEO M&S and through the U.S. Army Contracting Command - Redstone Arsenal.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Support the President’s Budget Request. Advocate for continued efforts to support international sales and for the sustainment of existing U.S. systems to ensure readiness through the remaining life of the system in the force.

STANDARD MISSILE 6 (SM-6)

National Impact: SM-6 offers the warfighter tremendous versatility with a multi-mission capability, including anti-air warfare, terminal ballistic missile defense, and anti-surface warfare. SM-6 leverages and sustains the 60+ year heritage of the Navy’s premier Standard Missile program with both defensive and offensive capabilities. SM-6 employs an active RF seeker for greater independence from ship illuminator systems, improved threat discrimination and targeting, and high velocity for faster time on target. The Navy and MDA have demonstrated an impressive record of successful flight tests, breaking engagement records for range and interoperability expectations by utilizing sensor systems like the E-2D Hawkeye and F-35 aircraft systems. Demand from international governments has been steadily increasing as new evolving threat sets and operational requirements identify SM-6 as the multi-mission system of choice.

Community Impact: SM-6 All-Up-Round production occurs at a dedicated facility within Redstone Arsenal and provides hundreds of government and industry jobs in the Huntsville area. Additionally, with new missile configuration developments in progress, production capacity will soon increase.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Support the President’s Budget Request for the SM-6 and associated missile modifications and improvements.

■ Support production capacity increase for SM-6.

■ Advocate for SM-6 international sales to key allies in support of the U.S. Cooperative Defense initiatives.

STANDARD MISSILE 3 (SM-3 1B AND IIA)

National Impact: SM-3 is the most advanced sea/land deployable exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor and is deployed globally by the U.S. and Japan. The SM-3 Block I was first fielded in 2004, and has had three major spiral upgrades to the current SM-3 Block IB (Threat Upgrade). The SM-3 Block I also served as the foundation for the U.S.-Japan Standard Missile Cooperative Development (SCD) program that produced a longer range and more capable interceptor, the SM-3 Block IIA, which complements the SM-3 Block IB in layered Ballistic Missile Defense. Designed to engage regional Medium Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBMs) and Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs), SM-3 has demonstrated over 40 successful exo-atmospheric engagements and the capability to defend against more challenging threats. In November 2020, the SM-3 Block IIA also conducted the first successful intercept against an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)-representative target. This was a critical milestone for the Aegis BMD SM-3 Block IIA program and a key step in the process of determining its feasibility as part of a layered homeland defense architecture. The sea/land based operational flexibility of the SM-3 and proven test performance allows for rapid deployment and sustained protection against a range of ballistic threats. As the primary interceptor employed by Aegis Ashore, SM-3 has also demonstrated its value abroad in protecting regional territory and could be utilized in the same manner in the U.S.

Community Impact: The SM-3 family is assembled in the Huntsville Raytheon Redstone Missile Integration Facility and supports a substantial number of jobs in the north Alabama area, including program management, engineering and manufacturing.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support increased funding for SM-3 Block IIA procurement to meet critical warfighter requirements afloat and ashore and to accelerate the global deployment of the most advanced SM-3.

OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (O&M) FOR MISSILE DEFENSE

National Impact: Maintaining a high-state of operational readiness against tactical and strategic ballistic missile threats will continue to be one of the most critical priorities for the national security of the U.S. and our allies. To ensure the U.S. is able to deter and respond to any and all offensive attacks by adversaries, each missile defense program’s Operations and Maintenance (O&M) budget must be fully-funded to achieve Operational Availability (Ao) requirements within the Missile Defense Agency (e.g. GMD, THAAD, Aegis), PEO Missiles & Space and the U.S. Army Materiel Command (PATRIOT, IBCS). Program-specific Life Cycle Sustainment Plans (LCSPs) must continue to achieve cost-wise readiness using private/public partnerships between government capabilities and industry to achieve high materiel availability of fielded systems coupled with continuous training and maintainability improvements for soldiers using state-of-the-art technologies (e.g. virtual training, total asset visibility). To remain ready and adaptable to the constantly-changing threat, military operators of missile defense systems and military/

contractor maintainers must be provided a fully-integrated logistics and supply chain which can quickly respond to dynamic threats with materiel changes, technical manual improvements, available parts, and improved training and training devices.

Community Impact: Collectively, several hundred logistics, sustainment, and product support jobs within industry (OEMs, subcontractors, SETA contractors) and government (MDA, PEO MS, AMC, AMCOM) perform item management, maintenance management, training support, and readiness support in the north Alabama area. Without continued support of missile defense O&M budgets, our fielded weapon systems may not be capable of deterring or responding to attacks against the U.S. due to poor training, inadequate readiness, and lack of spare parts.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support full funding for each program’s O&M budget and continue prioritization of high-operational readiness to deter enemy threats against U.S. interests.

MISSILE DEFENSE TESTING & VALIDATION – TARGETS

National Impact: Advanced targets production fabricates simulated enemy offensive missile capabilities (tactical through strategic) to test and validate U.S. missile defense systems. As our potential enemies continue to advance their capabilities, U.S. systems’ capabilities must continue to be tested, validated, and modernized as necessary. These adversarial advancements include the development of hypersonic and other advanced missile threats that can exploit our existing and future missile defense systems (such as HD and NGI). Target representations that emulate such threats are not currently in production today.

Community Impact: MDA’s offices that lead efforts to develop and provide advanced representative targets are headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, and they work with numerous defense contractors in the northern Alabama region that provide support in the development, production, and mission execution of advanced targets to validate existing and emerging missile defense systems.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Support the President’s budget for testing and validation of missile defense systems.

DEFENSE OF GUAM

National Impact: Guam is a critical U.S. national security hub supporting a permanent submarine squadron, a Naval station with a Carrier capable pier, an Airbase, a future Marine Corps base, an Army THAAD Battery, and key C4I nodes. Since Spring 2019, a 360º Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capability on Guam was the number one priority detailed in the USINDOPACOM Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI). In December 2021, DEPSECDEF approved the initial MDA-proposed Defense of Guam architecture comprised of a distributed Aegis with a scaled and transportable variant of the Long-Range Discriminating Radar (TPY-X), mobile launchers, THAAD, and Command and Control Battle Command and Control (C2BMC) to defeat Ballistic and Hypersonic missile threats. Additional Army IAMD contributions on Guam will include PATRIOT w/LTAMDS and PAC-3 MSE, Sentinel A4, and IBCS which will support missile defense missions.

Aegis is a mature and proven open architecture system which has continued to evolve to incorporate the latest capabilities, including hypersonic defense, to defeat the emerging threats.

TPY-X is a scaled variant of MDA’s Long-Range Discriminating Radar (LRDR) and utilizes the same proven hardware design. Its unique and first-in-class, polarization diverse architecture offers the warfighter game-changing capability that no other radar in the inventory or in development can, to detect, track, engage, and fight through the complex electromagnetic environment.

The entire inventory of offensive and defensive Mk 41 capable weapons is available to the warfighter with the mobile Launcher.

C2BMC is the integrating element of U.S. MDS supporting homeland defense since 2002 and is an integral part of the Defense of Guam regional solution.

PAC-3 MSE provides critical last line of hit to kill lethality assurance required for defense of land based critical assets. In addition to proven Cruise Missile Defense capability, PAC-3 MSE is the most capable Terminal Defense effector in the world with unmatched agility and Hit to Kill Technology.

Community Impact: The Defense of Guam program will support hundreds of government and industry jobs in the Northern Alabama area, including government and industry program management, engineering and production/manufacturing.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Fully fund the President’s budget request for Defense of Guam

■ Support program growth as requirements are further refined

■ Advocate for Defense of Guam architecture proliferation to establish interoperable regional architecture nodes throughout the INDOPACIFIC and beyond

ASSURED POSITION NAVIGATION TIMING

Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) is a foundational technology for the DoD. PNT is a critical enabler for most modern systems and provides precise location, spatial orientation, and time synchronization to warfighters and weapon systems. The strategy for the DoD PNT enterprise describes access to Assured PNT (APNT) information as a “linchpin” to an effective Joint Force.

National Impact: For several decades the DoD has relied on the Global Positioning System (GPS) as the primary source of PNT data. This reliance on GPS is well-known. Future conflict with a near-peer or peer adversary will require operations in Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) environments that degrade or deny GPS. The DoD must rapidly develop and field APNT systems that both enhance GPS, as well as augment it with multiple alternate, diverse sources of PNT. These systems must include new sensor and PNT technologies that are capable of resilient operation in dynamic threat environments and make use of standards and open architectures to allow new PNT technologies to rapidly at lower cost to effectively pace evolving threats.

Community Impact: The Huntsville community is heavily involved in the development and support of PNT system requirements for the Army and broader DoD community. The U.S. Army Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing/Space (APNT/Space) Cross-Functional Team (CFT) is headquartered at Redstone Arsenal and is responsible for APNT, Navigation Warfare and Space requirement architectures for the Army. The CFT operates in a team-of-teams way across the acquisition lifecycle to accelerate the delivery of these requirements. Other key groups at Redstone Arsenal play a key role in the development of APNT systems, including the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), U.S. Army PEO Aviation, U.S. Army DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). These groups (and others across the country)

provide significant development support and procurement funding to Huntsville-based businesses in the PNT technology area.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

Increase support for requirements development, partnerships across the DoD, support for programs in the APNT technology. Support for programs include:

■ Improving the capability and resilience of GPS

■ Developing open architectures and standards for PNT systems

■ Providing combined NAVWAR and cyber-electromagnetic activities (CEMA) capabilities

■ Developing and fielding APNT systems

■ Supporting Specific programs: U.S. Army Dismounted Assured PNT System (DAPS); U.S. Army Mounted Assured PNT System (MAPS); U.S. Air Force Resilient Embedded GPS/INS (R-EGI); U.S. Army Navigation Warfare Situational Awareness (NAVWARSA); OSD All Source Positioning and Navigation (ASP)

COUNTER SMALL UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS (C-SUAS)

The DoD has implemented the intent of the 2018 National Security Strategy with Counter UAS (C-UAS) under the authority and responsibility of the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Logistics. The Department of the Army is the DoD Executive Agent for C-UAS and is executing this mission through the recently established Joint Counter Small UAS Office (JCO). Small, unmanned aircraft being those aircraft up to 1320 lbs. operated at low altitude and are hard to detect by radar.

The Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office or RCCTO located at Redstone Arsenal headed by an Army 3-star general has the responsibility for material development in support of the Department of the Army Executive Agent. In coordination with the Army’s PEO Missiles & Space, the RCCTO office rapidly develops prototypes across the DoD and industrial base with the objective to determine feasibility for further development.

National Impact: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones operated by malevolent interest have demonstrated the potential for negative impact on installations and infrastructure of U.S. Allies as clearly shown by the War in Ukraine and increased tensions in SE Asia (Taiwan, Guam). UAS operated with hostile intent have increased risk to homeland security by attacking vulnerability of DoD, Federal Installations and civilian or commercial critical infrastructure. Counter UAS is a national security priority from the most forward tactical military units to purely civilian infrastructure.

Community Impact: 200-300 full time equivalent (FTE) positions located in or supporting Redstone Arsenal activities are linked to C-UAS activity. RCCTO, PEO Missiles and Space (PEO M&S), and the Army Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC), integrates the Army’s C-sUAS efforts and those of other Services (Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps) and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). The DoD “center of gravity” for C-sUAS material development, system engineering, and systems rapid equipping and deployment is RCCTO including offices in Washington DC supporting the Joint Counter UAS Office.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

Support C-sUAS resourcing for Department of the Army and C-sUAS activities located at Redstone Arsenal. Two specific recommendations are:

■ Continue S&T and R&D funding which enables RCCTO

to rapidly prototype and assess CUAS solutions in light of tactical and operational lessons learned. Resources would be supporting Defense-wide system capability development, system engineering, and rapid response for Homeland Security to counter potential attacks on DoD, Federal or CONUS Infrastructure.

■ Support the broader Counter UAS capability including counter UAS operations such as swarming drones, AI or Machine Learning drones, and intrusive (non-UAS manufactured) drone components.

■ Support the DoD cross-Service and inter-agency collaboration on C-UAS technology, with particular interest in S&T and R&D technology transition.

■ Transition Counter Small - UAS Radar Antenna to Production, to satisfy the requirement for affordable, scalable and fully integrated C-UAS radar detection.

SUPPORT ARMY AVIATION PROGRAMS & AVIATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Army’s ability to apply aviation power remains critical to the execution of the National Defense Strategy and the evolving focus on Multi-Domain Operations. Army Aviation is indispensable in executing these missions both today and into the future. To ensure operational success over time, a holistic approach to managing the Army Aviation’s combined resources of the enduring and future fleets is essential. Currently, this holistic approach balances the strategic emphasis on three primary areas: First, Supporting the Army’s Modernization Future Vertical Lift (FVL) programs such as Future Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), Future Long Range Air Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), and Future UAS (FUAS) consistent with the six Cross Functional Team (CFT) priorities for the Army Futures Command. Second, Ensuring the readiness and relevance of the enduring aviation platforms/programs with targeted modernization efforts since these platforms will remain in the fight for many years to come. Third, Building the capability and capacity of our partner (Allied) nations for the coalition fight of the future.

Our Army Aviation objectives are enabled by our PEO Aviation workforce consisting of uniformed military, civil servants both core and matrixed, our support contractors and the Army Aviation Industrial Base. Our organization, like all DoD, Federal, and commercial entities is adapting to a new, post-Covid work environment or Adaptive Work Environment (AWE), which balances our mission with the needs and desires of our workforce. PEO Aviation workforce consists of a cross-section of STEM, Business, and Logistics professionals, many with previous military service.

The key in maintaining today’s technological edge into the future is advancing and sustaining the aviation science and technology (S&T) base. Examples of promising S&T include Cybersecurity identification, protection and prevention; U.S. Aviation industrial base preparedness; autonomy, manned-unmanned teaming; and real-time battlefield actionable data processing. By driving transformational technology and enabling the continued migration of modernized technology into the Army Aviation fleets, we can continue to deliver overmatch capabilities to our combatant commanders.

Please follow the progress of PEO Aviation at www.army.mil/peoaviation or the latest update to the PEO Aviation Strategic Plan at www.army.mil/article/252753

National Impact: Army Aviation’s total obligation authority for Aviation Systems modernization and acquisition was reduced from $4.1B

in FY21 to $2.8B, a 32 percent reduction in FY22. These changes impact the ability to preserve the minimum readiness of the fielded enduring fleet and the defense industrial base that supports this fleet.

Community Impact: Alabama is the epicenter of Army Aviation. There are more than 13,000 jobs in northern Alabama that directly support the Army Aviation portfolio. Army PEO AVN manages a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) portfolio of $54B to U.S. allies around the world. The co-location of the Program Executive Office, Aviation (PEOAVN), the Future Vertical Lift CFT (FVL CFT), the Redstone Test Center (RTC), the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (CCDC AvMC), and the Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) at Redstone Arsenal allows for the focused application of resources to maintain leadership in the Aviation arena. The full life cycle of Army Aviation assets is managed at Redstone Arsenal. Resourcing these commands is critical for the long term sustainment of the Army Aviation mission and for continued community growth.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the continued full funding and key modernization efforts for the enduring fielded aviation programs while simultaneously resourcing the Future Vertical Lift CrossFunctional Team (FVL CFT) related efforts. This assures priority readiness for aircraft conducting combat operations today while supporting the Army’s critical future priorities.

■ Increase and support Aviation S&T funding (currently at $130M/year) that allows the Army to satisfy the Future Vertical Lift requirements and ensure that the enduring fleet remains technologically relevant.

ATTACK HELICOPTERS

The AH-64E Apache is the Army’s latest generation primary heavy attack helicopter. The Army Acquisition Objective is 812 AH-64E aircraft with an Army Procurement Objective of 791 aircraft. The Apache Attack Helicopter Project Office will deliver 56 AH-64E V6 aircraft, the latest production configuration, in FY22. In addition, the Apache Project Office will award the follow-on Multi-Year 2 production contract that will complete U.S. procurements. The Apache Project Office has an active Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, with 16 countries and over 500 aircraft across the globe with multiple partner nations processing requests to procure the AH-64E in the near future.

FY22-23 priorities include:

■ Safety and Welfare of our Workforce

■ Field and Train the first V6 units in Korea and the Army National Guard.

■ Maintain our focus on Apache Quality and Critical Safety Item compliance.

■ Award Multi-Year 2 production contract.

■ Prepare AH-64 fleet for the modernized battlefield.

National Impact: The AH-64E Apache Heavy Attack Helicopter is the world’s most sought-after attack aircraft with more than 1,300 Apaches in service in the U.S. and allied nations.

Community Impact: All of the life cycle management and many of the support modifications, spares, and other services are performed by government and industry partners in Alabama. This directly impacts more than 600 Government and contractor positions to include Redstone Test Center and MRO businesses like SES-I and Yulista.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Continue to support the Army’s Apache Helicopter modernization and procurement objectives, including the second multi-year production contract and Apache modernization.

UTILITY HELICOPTERS

The Utility Helicopters Project Office (UHPO) provides life cycle management for the largest utility helicopter fleet in the Department of Defense (DoD). This includes 2135 UH-60L/M/V Black Hawk and 478 UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters with various Mission Equipment Packages (MEPs). The Project Office also supports the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Special Operations forces, Other Government Agencies and our Allies.

The UHPO International Product Office has delivered 549 UH-60s and 6 UH-72s aircraft and continues to provide support through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. The Project Office manages more than $18B in helicopter procurement, support services and foreign military sales contracts to 33 allied countries and partners around the world. The UH-60M is the “Workhorse” of the Army Aviation fleet and will remain a key component of the fleet into the future. To date, the Black Hawk fleet has 1.9 million combat hours (10.6 million total fleet hours) and maintains an average maintenance availability rate of 82%.

Current FY priorities include:

■ Award Multi-year 10 contract and continue to deliver H-60M/ UH-60V to U.S. Army/National Guard – 60V aircraft produced at Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD)

■ Deliver Capability to FMS Partners

■ Achieve UH-60V Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Certification

■ Complete Medical Interior Upgrade (MIU) User Assessment

■ Continue Improved Turbine Engine (T901) Integration on Utility aircraft

■ Continue delivering Black Hawk Aircrew Trainer (BAT) assets to USG units worldwide

National Impact: The Army’s Blackhawk is a Multi-Service, Multi-National helicopter used across the Active and National Guard throughout the U.S. The UH-60 Blackhawk is the most widely used helicopter in the DoD inventory. The Blackhawk helicopter will continue service in Multi-Domain and Joint All Domain Operations.

Community Impact: All of the life cycle management and many of the support modifications, spares, and services are performed and managed by government and industry partners in Alabama. This directly impacts more than 500 Government and contractor positions to include Aviation and Missile Development Command, Redstone Test Center, and a host of other MRO businesses.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the Army’s Utility Helicopter modernization and procurement objectives, including the current Multiyear 9 UH60M multi-year production contract, follow-on MY10 contract, UH-60V program and the UH-72B program.

CARGO HELICOPTERS

The Army’s CH-47 Chinook includes 460 CH-47F aircraft in the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve. Additionally, the U.S. has produced and delivered CH-47 aircraft to our

Allied Partners. The CH-47F Block II program inserts incremental upgrades to maintain the platform’s relevance as the Army’s only heavy lift helicopter, capable of carrying 24,000 lbs. Block II upgrades include airframe mods, improved fuel, electrical, rotor and drive system updates as well as updated Common Aviation Architecture System and flight controls. As the aircraft of choice in austere environments such as above 14,000 feet, the CH-47F remains highly attractive to several international partners.

FY22 priorities include:

■ Order final five (5) CH-47F Block I aircraft programmed as repair cycle floats

■ Procure CH-47F Block II Lot 2 – latest generation of CH-47F aircraft configuration

■ Complete CAAS 9.4/DAFCS 3.3 upgrades – improvements to aircraft safety and survivability

■ Complete 2 x CH-47F Diversion to Australia – building partner nation capability

■ Complete Maintenance Steering Groups-3 (MSG-3) package deployment for improved maintenance procedures/processes – 59 aircraft remain

National Impact: The CH-47 Chinook fleet is the world’s leading heavy lift helicopter supporting the Active Army in CONUS and OCONUS, National Guard, and Allied countries. The CH-47 is also the only heavy lift helicopter available for the Army’s heavy lift Joint All Domain Operational capability.

Community Impact: Life cycle management and many of the support modifications, spares or services are performed/managed by firms in Alabama. This directly impacts more than 450 Government and contractor positions.

AVIATION TURBINE ENGINES (ATE)

Army PEO Aviation consolidated the management of the Apache, Blackhawk, Chinook, FARA, FLRAA helicopter engines into one project office, the Aviation Turbine Engines (ATE) Project Office. The project office is responsible for the design, development, delivery and modernization for more than 10,000 turbine engines in the U.S. and Allied countries. The ATE Project Office manages the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), an Electrical Power Systems (EPS) cell, and the current T700 and T55 engine programs. As one of Army Aviation’s top modernization priorities, the ITE will replace the current T700 family of engines for the Black Hawk and Apache fleets and will power the Future Vertical Lift’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft. The ITE conducted its Critical Design Reviews in FY20 and planed the First Engine to Test in 2022. In addition to aviation engine development and production, PM ATE has an Electrical Power Systems (EPS) Cell that is actively addressing all the on-board power requirements for the Army Aviation fleets. The T700 engine has been a powerhouse for Army Aviation fleets since 1978 with T700 variants having accumulated over 50 million flight hours, six major performance upgrades, and integration into multiple premier helicopter platforms, including the Army’s Apache and Black Hawk, the Navy’s Seahawk, Super Cobra, and Super Huey, and the Air Force’s Pavehawk. The most recent T700 Production Contract was awarded on November 25, 2019 as a five year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract to ensure that the -701D engines powering Army Aviation will be produced through 2024 until introduction of the ITE .

During nearly six decades of service, the T55 engine program has logged over 12 million hours of operation while powering Army Aviation’s heavy lift capabilities. During FY21, PM ATE initiated an effort to conduct market research and explore potential alternate engines to support the H-47 platform and help meet demand for readily available assets while enhancing mission effectiveness, increasing operational readiness, improving fuel efficiency, and reducing maintenance burden through improvements in condition-based maintenance and predictive diagnostics. Current FY priorities include:

■ Deliver T700 and T55 Engines to U.S. Army/FMS

■ Pursue New Electrical Power Sub-systems for Airborne Platforms (Generators, Batteries, APUs)

National Impact: The Improved Turbine Engine or ITE program will reinvigorate the rotary-wing industrial base for turbine engines with a potential production run of 10,000 engines. The 10,000 engines represent one of the largest manufacturing centers in the world and located in the U.S. As one of Army Aviation’s top modernization priorities, the ITEP’s T901 will regain lost capability and provide affordable, reliable power to support Army Aviation’s role in Multi-Domain Operations. The development of next-generation electrical power systems will reduce the growing power capability gap, provide holistic opportunities for superior performance against near-peer threats in Multi-Domain Operations, and facilitate maturation of emerging technologies.

Community Impact: All of the development and life cycle management efforts are performed in Alabama.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Continue to support the Army’s Improved Turbine Engine Program and the emerging Electrical Power Systems initiatives.

FUTURE ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT (FARA)

The Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) is one of the Army’s top six Modernization Priorities along with the Future Long Range Air Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) and FUAS. FARA supports the Army’s Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) with a 21st century aircraft system designed to use the Improved Turbine Engine and inherent manned-unmanned aircraft operation. FARA will provide the Army with increased capabilities including essential improvements in speed, range, agility and endurance to provide capability and flexibility against unknown and unknowable threats in 2030 and beyond.

FARA is the Army’s response to the inability to conduct armed reconnaissance, light attack, and security in operations against peer and near-peer adversaries with improved stand-off and lethality. The FARA weapon system will provide significantly increased speed and range and provide Combatant Commanders with greatly increased tactical, operational, and strategic advantage. These advantages will enable Army Aviation and the Joint Force the freedom of maneuver to operate on a highly contested battlefield and fulfill the critical Armed Reconnaissance capability gap that exists in our formations today.

Current FY22-23 priorities include:

■ Complete competitive prototype builds, integrate the ITE, and prepare for demonstration flights

■ Execute parallel weapon system design

■ Continue to refine system attributes, the Multi-Effects Launcher prototype, the XM915 20mm Gatling-type automatic cannon and firing gun prototype, and cost reduction opportunities

National Impact: As noted in the PEO intro paragraphs, the Army’s priority and funding seeks to modernize combat weapon systems includes the FARA aircraft. In addition to the combat capability necessary to operate in MDO/JDO, the FARA program re-invigorates the U.S. rotary wing industrial base and seeks to maximize the S&T & R&D investments the Army has made since 2017. FARA with the FLRAA and UAS systems directly increases the U.S. military’s capability to engage peer/near-peer Anti Access/Area Denial, Integrated Air Defense, and long-range effects. Designing and integrating the FVL family of systems that can fight alongside Army Aviation’s enduring fleet will increase the Army’s contribution to the joint force, further strengthening the Nation’s deterrent, power projection, and combat capabilities for our Soldiers.

Community Impact: FARA development will also advance critical technologies improving the skills and expertise of the supporting workforce in the state of Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. Advances in Model Based Systems Engineering, Modular Open Systems Approach and Cyber Security implementation will further enhance critical technical capabilities throughout the Redstone Arsenal Community.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support FARA funding required to advance aviation technology and prepare our Army for the future fight.

FUTURE LONG RANGE ASSAULT AIRCRAFT (FLRAA)

The Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) is one of the key capabilities that makes up the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) ecosystem. FLRAA is the Army’s versatile battlefield transport aircraft designed to operate over the MDO battlespace of at least 300 miles and a speed of 290 mph (250 kts). Like the FARA program, the FLRAA program re-invigorates the U.S. rotary wing industrial base and seeks to maximize the S&T & R&D investments the Army has made since 2017. FVL is a priority Army Aviation effort aligned with the Army’s modernization strategy. Today, the FLRAA Project Office is developing the next generation of affordable, tactical assault aircraft for the Army.

The program strategy consists of three major phases: risk reduction, virtual prototyping, and weapons system development over the next 8-10 year period leading to a First Unit Equipped in 2030. The team is currently executing a Competitive Demonstration and Risk Reduction (CD&RR) utilizing other transaction authority agreements and focused on employing digital engineering tools early to mitigate program risk. These tools and interfaces will be used in conjunction with the Combat Aviation Brigade Architecture Integration Laboratory (CABAIL) here at Redstone and the Air Maneuver Battle Lab (AMBL) at Fort Rucker. It will perform hardware-in-the-loop tests during the design phase for early validation by offline simulation; conduct early Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) experimentation prior to user evaluations; and to participate in Army warfighting exercises for development of Multi-Domain Operation doctrine and concepts. This medium lift tactical assault and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) aircraft will augment the Army’s H-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter fleet to provide Combat Aviation Brigades with long-range, high-speed options that are survivable in contested environments.

FLRAA is using an innovative hybrid acquisition strategy taking advantage of the procurement authorities and processes described in the FY16 NDAA. These include: Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) authorities, and traditional Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) based contracts. The CD&RR effort enables both vendors to execute detailed engineering activities at the subsystem level leading to preliminary designs of major FLRAA subsystems and the entire weapons system. This risk reduction effort is in parallel with the competitive source selection activities, which will set the conditions for an effective transition to the FAR-based contract award to one vendor.

Current FY priorities include:

■ Protect and preserve the health and welfare of the workforce

■ Complete CD&RR preliminary design efforts

■ Award the Weapon System Development Contract

National Impact: The FLRAA program provides the essential longrange, high speed rotary wing transport called out in our National Military Strategy. Further, FLRAA and the other Army helicopter modernization programs re-invigorates our Aviation Industrial Base. Designing and integrating the FVL family of systems that can fight alongside Army Aviation’s enduring fleet will increase the Army’s contribution to the joint force, further strengthening the Nation’s deterrent, power projection, and combat capabilities for our Soldiers.

Community Impact: Today’s efforts by the Army prioritize and invest in Future Vertical Lift, and represent a critical component of the Army’s modernization strategy. The Program Executive Office (PEO), Aviation, the FVL Cross Functional Team, Redstone Test Center, the Combat Capabilities Development Command, the Aviation and Missile Command, and supporting industry account for thousands of jobs and reinforces the continued and future impact of Army Aviation on the community.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Continue the strong advocacy and support for Future Vertical Lift and the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft. Today’s investment of funding reduces schedule risk, promotes competition and ensures long term affordability.

FIXED WING AIRCRAFT

The Fixed Wing Project Office centrally manages the Army’s fleet of 400 manned fixed wing aircraft. Army fixed wing aviation units’ primary mission is national, operational and tactical intelligence and electronic warfare capability assets. The secondary mission is movement of key personnel throughout the theater of operations. Two key payloads are in development for our Fixed Wing aircraft: HADES and ARTEMIS.

Current FY 22-23 priorities include:

■ Deploy the Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare System (ARES) Tech Demonstrator to United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) Command

■ Update Airborne Reconnaissance Targeting Exploitation Mission - Intelligence System (ARTEMIS) Aircraft to V3.0. Continued Support to United States Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR) Command

■ Support ISR Participation in CFT Exercises

■ Develop a Software Test and Integration Laboratory (STIL) to

Support the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) Program

■ Maintain Readiness of Mission Critical Transport Fleet

The HADES will provide target quality data to enable long range precision fires for the Army. HADES deployed on high altitude manned aircraft are capable of 10-12 hour long missions anywhere in the world within 48 hours.

Two technical demonstrators (ARTEMIS) and (ARES) are currently deployed in separate areas of operations (AORs). Through deployments and participation in cross functional team (CFT) exercises, the performance and data collected by these technical demonstrators will inform the final capabilities of HADES. To support the HADES program, a STIL is being established at Redstone and is currently in the planning phase. The STIL would leverage Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA), Digital Backbone, Open Architecture, Model Based Engineering, Rapid Integrations and other applications.

National Impact: The Army’s Fixed Wing Special Electronic Mission Aircraft have demonstrated their value to National, Operational, and Tactical intelligence and electronic warfare for more than 30 years. The MDO/JADO concept relies on greater insights into the radiofrequency (RF) spectrum, at greater ranges and precision. The Fixed Wing aircraft with on-board intelligence analysts enables operational and tactical commanders to develop the airborne & ground operations in real-time. Fixed Wing aircraft provide sensor capabilities to combatant commanders and Soldiers in austere environments. These sensors have the ability to detect, locate, classify, identify and track surface targets with a high degree of timeliness and accuracy both day and night and in nearly all weather conditions. The manned platforms offer a certain advantage to unmanned platforms because they have more capacity for payloads, ultimately offering broader sensor capabilities. On manned aircraft, onboard operators control the payloads with multi-function workstations where the intelligence collected can be analyzed and disseminated in real time as well as recorded for post-mission analysis. The manned AISR aircraft have the ability to operate in environments compromised by satellite communications interruptions and the jamming of electronic communications signals.

Community Impact: The Fixed Wing project office, our support matrix government and industry provide technical and programmatic employment to 175 direct and several hundred indirect employees. These employees provide critical support to both the transport fleet as well as support the ISR platforms funded by INSCOM.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Request support for manned aircraft programs to fill gaps within Multi-Domain Operations (MDO); also request continued support of the RTC and the SIL at Redstone Arsenal as well as the development of a STIL to support HADES.

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

The Army is the DoD’s largest operator of UAS in the DoD. Army UAS Research, Development, Acquisition (RDA) and Sustainment is managed by the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Project Office, one of 10 project offices in PEO Aviation. The Army’s UAS fleet consists of 7000+ small (tactical), medium (operational), and large (strategic) airframes such as the RQ-11B Raven, RQ-7Bv2 Shadow, and the MQ-1C Gray Eagle. UAS programs in development include

Air Launched Effects (ALE), Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS), and Scalable Control Interface (SCI). The SCI product is a software package designed to allow one or more UAS to be operated by one or more operators across the battlespace.

Army UAS are fundamental to Overseas Contingency Operations having flown more than 2.9 million flight hours in direct support. Army UAS perform myriad functions around-the-clock including Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), communications relay, and target attack with lethal and non-lethal effects.

Current FY priorities include:

■ Award of Future Tactical UAS Increment 1 and 2 contracts

■ Award Air Launched Effects (ALE) contract

■ Develop Strategy Definition/Description of Scalable Control Interface

■ Field Complete Gray Eagle Extended Range aircraft

■ Field Short Range Recon Systems

■ Field Shadow Block III

National Impact: Army UAS are critical national security assets that accomplish high risk/high reward missions that either cannot be accomplished by, or are too dangerous to risk America’s precious military personnel. As such, Army UAS are integral to ensure victory in the Multi-Domain Operational environment.

Community Impact: The Army’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Office provides an estimated $72M per year impact on the north Alabama economy through employment for approximately 420 Department of the Army Civilians and Contractors.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support program resourcing for the crucial research, development, acquisition, fielding, and sustainment of the Army’s mission critical Unmanned Aircraft current and future fleets.

AVIATION MISSION SYSTEMS & ARCHITECTURE

The Aviation Mission Systems & Architecture (AMSA) Project Office is responsible to design, develop, and deliver advanced aviation technologies that enable the Aviation Enterprise to operate in a Multi-Domain Environment. AMSA Project Office consists of four Product Offices that manage 53 distinct product lines in Active, Guard, and Reserve Army Aviation units.

Products in development supporting Multi-Domain Operations include: the Mission Systems Digital Backbone utilizing Aviation Mission Common Server, Air to Ground Network Radio, Assured Position, Navigation, Timing (A-PNT) capabilities, selection of the Next Generation Aviation Ground Power Unit (Version 1.1), upgrades to the Air Traffic Control Systems, hardware agnostic Aviation Mission Planning System, and the Degraded Visual Environment System.

The Aviation Architecture & Environment Exploitation Product Office (A2E2) is developing an Aviation Mission Common Server (AMCS) advancing aviation technologies Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) designed to adapt rapidly to technology insertions as the missions dictate. Additionally, A2E2 Product Office is developing the capability to enable approach, landing, and takeoff for rotary-wing aircraft in degraded visual environments.

The Assured Airspace Access Systems (A3S) Product Office portfolio includes 18 programs providing Assured Positioning, Naviga-

tion, and Timing (A-PNT); aircraft surveillance for the Army aviation fleet; and tactical and fixed base air traffic control equipment operating in the national airspace and providing battlefield airspace management in support of Multi-Domain Operations.

The Aerial Communications and Mission Command (ACMC) Product Office is integrating common communication systems such as the Air-to-Ground Network Radio (AGNR) enabling Army Aviation to support Mission Command Convergence in support of MDO and Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2).

The Aviation Ground Support Equipment Product Office (AGSE) manages all common tools, ground support equipment, and shop sets utilized within Army Aviation as well as serving as the Army Aviation’s Central Tool Manager.

Current FY priorities include:

■ Aviation Mission Common Server (AMCS) Prototype Demonstration

■ Communications Programs

■ Air Ground Radio (AGNR) Integration & Modification Work Order Plan

■ ARC-231 Radio Production Deliveries

■ Mission Command Programs

■ Integrated Mission Planning and Airspace Control Tools (IMPACT) Software Development

■ Blue Force Tracking-2 (BFT-2) Fielding

■ Assured Position, Navigation, Timing (PNT) Technology

■ First User Equipped Milestone for Multi-Platform Anti-Jam GPS Navigation Antenna- Federated (MAGNA-F) antennas

■ EAGLE-M Phase II Development

■ Auxiliary Ground Power Unit 1.1 Prototype Risk Reduction Testing, Final Vendor Selection, & beginning Performance Verification Testing.

■ Focus on Mission Systems Architecture using Modular Open Systems Approaches (MOSA)

National Impact: AMSA Project Office products affect every U.S. Army Aviation platform and Aviation Soldier, allowing them to move, shoot, and communicate on the Multi-Domain Battlefield. Linked with PEO C3T’s mission command architectures, AMSA’s enabling technologies provide Commanders with the mission information necessary to make key, optimal decisions associated with air and/or ground operations.

Community Impact: The AMSA Project Office manages end-toend life cycle management and modifications of thousands of systems and sub-systems across the Army. The project office supports more than 425 Government and contractor positions. The AMSA program involves the AvMC, AMCOM, Prototype Integration Facility, AMCOM, and Logistics Support Facility.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support AMSA Project Office funding at a level that enables target readiness and procurement efforts across all U.S. Army Aviation platforms, including Aviation Mission Common Server.

MULTI-NATIONAL AVIATION SPECIAL PROJECT OFFICE

Army PEO Aviation responsibility includes over $50B in Foreign Military Sales (FMS). The Multi-National Aviation Special Project Office (MASPO) is one of 10 PEO Aviation Projects whose sole purpose is

Allied Nation Aviation capability. The MASPO project works within the Army and across DoD to procure, deliver, and sustain aircraft. Through the fulfillment of this mission, MASPO directly supports strategic competition by building relationships with the many allies that may have or desire Combatant Command-endorsed rotary wing requirements.

Through the procurement and delivery of U.S. aircraft, the MASPO program enables second and third order effects such as training in aircraft operation and maintenance, integrated combined forces with our allies, and access to the U.S. industrial base. Allies organized, trained, and equipped with affordable U.S. industry-based aviation assets significantly enhances strategic aviation alliances and increasingly surrounds and isolates peer and near-peer competitors. MASPO’s international involvement provides deterrence forward, sets the conditions for the fight, augments U.S. forces, and supports and safeguards U.S. interests abroad.

Current FY priorities include:

■ Conduct Orderly Drawdown from Afghanistan

■ Deliver Aircraft – 17 aircraft, 6 allied countries

■ Enable Multi-Domain Operations

■ Initiate and Grow Strategic Alliances

■ Expand Aviation Reach

■ Increase Speed to Combat Engagements

■ Deter Conflict Through International Partnerships

National Impact: MASPO’s international efforts create productive relationships world-wide and promotes the strategic interests of the United States.

Community Impact: MASPO personnel are deployed around the world and serve as aviation representatives for Redstone Arsenal. This directly impacts more than 160 Government and contractor positions.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Continue to support and advocate for MASPO as it develops, delivers and supports affordable, non-program of record rotary wing aircraft for our international allied partner nations.

AVIATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (S&T)

The Army in FY17 and through today has stood firm on the core theme to modernize the Army’s systems to fight in a Multi-Domain Operation (MDO). Since FY17 the Army has invested billions into S&T and R&D to enable the 31+4 top priority systems the technological underpinnings sufficient to build and field weapon systems beginning in 2024 to 2035. Likewise, the threats posed by China, Russia, Iran and non-state actors requires cognizance and action to ensure our Army Aviation can support world-wide combat operations in threat environments. Continued S&T and R&D programs will continue to feed a pipeline of combat overmatch for our Aviation programs.

PEO Aviation and DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Command (AVMC) work hand in hand with the Aviation Enterprise on S&T striving to stay ahead of evolving requirements—“Continuous Modernization, Through S&T Transition.” PEO Aviation as the Army’s Aviation Material Developer is structured through the 10 project offices to “catch” the S&T/R&D programs as they mature enough to incorporate into our weapon systems. The target customer for our programs is primarily the Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) in the Active and National Guard divisions. A second but equally important use

of S&T and R&D is ensuring our Enduring Fleet of fielded aircraft maintain the necessary technical edge for warfighting deployment.

Army Aviation priority S&T programs include those shown in the below table:

Holistic Team Survivability

Adaptive & Resiliency

Tactical Autonomy Controls & Structures

Advanced Rotorcraft Armament and Protection System (ARAPS)

FVL Radar

Power & Thermal Management

Unmanned Aerial System Survivability

FVL MEDEVAC Convergence Battlefield Integration

Alternative Concept Engine (ACE)

Next Generation

Holistic Situational Awareness and Decision Making (HAS-DM)

Rotorcraft Transmission Full-Spectrum Targeting

Air Launched Effects (ALE) Advanced Teaming

Multi-Role Small Guided Missile (MRSGM)

Integrated Mission Equipment

PEO Aviation uses various mechanisms to bring technologies to Army Aviation – Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR), Technology Maturation Initiatives (TMI), Transition Agreements (TA), University-Affiliated Research Centers (UARC), Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) and Other Transaction Agreements (OTA).

It is imperative that Army Aviation has the resources to integrate, test, and assess the technologies being transitioned from S&T that enables the required capabilities. The continued leadership in support of solving holistic Army Aviation challenges has never been more necessary or essential.

National Impact: Army Aviation S&T/R&D in addition to the weapon systems development also provides a facility for STEM graduates to directly and immediately engage in national security career field. Army labs and engineering centers provide facilities due to the unique nature of weapon systems that cannot be found in the commercial sector.

Community Impact: Army Aviation S&T/R&D programs involve the AVMC command of more than 10,000 employees, science and technology businesses in and around the greater Huntsville area, and the direct/indirect employees in PEO Aviation.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Maintain and support funding levels for Aviation S&T supporting Army Aviation modernization programs such as FARA, FLRAA, FUAS; plus the S&T/R&D necessary to ensure our Enduring Force systems maintain their technological edge for warfighting deployment.

BIOSCIENCE

America’s bioscience industry is making scientific discoveries, creating jobs, generating billions in economic impact, and improving the human condition in the U.S. and elsewhere. Much of this success can be

traced to the Human Genome Project, which achieved the bold goal of sequencing an entire human genome. In the two decades since this groundbreaking achievement, advancements have transformed humanity’s ability to treat and diagnose pediatric diseases, cancer, and infectious disease, accelerate drug development, and improve agricultural practices to feed and fuel a growing population. Alabamians played a key role in the Human Genome Project and today are working on the most challenging problems in human health and agriculture. Of great importance, Alabama’s federal delegation continues to prioritize and promote the biosciences for which the Chamber is immensely grateful.

National Impact: North Alabama’s bioscience workforce continues to generate positive impact throughout the nation. Those working in the bioscience arena have made invaluable contributions to the region, state, and nation, whether in response to the global pandemic or through dedicated work in a variety of human health and agricultural areas, including genomic discoveries, diagnostics, drug development, medical devices, crop improvement, and sustainable agriculture. Through collaborations between genomic scientists in Alabama and around the southeastern U.S., families with sick newborns are receiving diagnoses that were previously elusive. Through collaborations across the country, plant scientists in north Alabama are fueling innovation, sustainability, and diversity through agrigenomics.

Community Impact: The Chamber appreciates Alabama’s federal delegation prioritizing the biosciences in the areas of research, education, medicine, and economic development. Continued support of the biosciences is a sound investment for the State of Alabama and the U.S. as the economic impact from this industry generates billions of dollars annually. Huntsville/Madison County contributes to the scientific discoveries and economic impact of the biosciences both in human health and in agriculture. Various academic and business entities as well as HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology are making advancements, diversifying the regional economy, strengthening the STEM-based workforce, and employing thousands of people in high quality jobs. Further investment in the biosciences will continue the opportunity for careers in this field. These are not limited to biology, genetics, and medicine, but also engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity. In Alabama alone, nearly 850,000 STEM-related positions will need to be filled by 2026. Collaboration and coordination between academic institutions and industry are vital to meet these near-term requirements.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ To continue advancements within the biosciences, the Chamber supports an increase in basic and translational research funding for the National Institutes of Health, specifically the National Human Genome Research Institute, the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute for Mental Health; the Department of Energy, specifically the Office of Science/Joint Genome Institute; the Department of Agriculture, specifically the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; the National Science Foundation; the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and the Department of Defense. Due to the benefits of academic and industry collaboration, the Chamber endorses prioritizing efforts between the public and private sector.

■ Prioritize and focus policy and funding efforts toward advancing the generation, analysis, storage and security of genomic data in human health and agriculture areas. Finally, cross-discipline and cross industry initiatives in agriculture with regional and state value should be encouraged for national models.

■ To realize the full benefit of investments in scientific research, support for commercialization by entrepreneurs, small businesses, and industry leaders in the biosciences should be a priority. With investment in basic and translational research and in those who can take discoveries to market, the U.S. can maintain leadership on bioscience innovation.

INFRASTRUCTURE ROADS

All infrastructure road projects on this list are considered high-priority roads and are projects that involve a route with a federal designation. They are not listed in ranking order. All listed projects are listed on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).

EXTENDING I-565 EASTWARD TOWARDS GURLEY AND SCOTTSBORO U.S. HIGHWAY 72 EAST (CORRIDOR V)

This project will provide an extension of I-565 to include service roads and new interchanges at Moores Mill Road and Shields Road which will add approximately 2.3 miles along I-565 through a congested area which continues to grow. In 2015 one additional lane westbound from Shields Road and one additional turn lane at Moores Mill Road were added as a temporary fix for the congestion, however very little benefit was had since the area continues to outgrow the previous temporary improvements.

An earlier version of this project was originally funded with federal Appalachian Regional Commission funds. During that period an environmental document was completed. Currently, the design is nearly finished. Acquisition was previously started in 2013, but was forced to stop due to a change in funding priorities by the federal government. To date, new residential and commercial developments as well as new job centers continue to be established within the eastern side of our region. The extension of I-565 through this urban corridor would significantly improve traffic flow along U.S Highway 72 from adjacent regions.

OVERHAULING THE INTERCHANGE BETWEEN I-565 AND MEMORIAL PARKWAY IN THE HEART OF HUNTSVILLEI-565 / U.S. HIGHWAY 231 INTERCHANGE MODIFICATIONS

This is the only interchange in our region in which an Interstate and U.S Highway intersects directly within our urban core. The current interchange serves approximately 190,000 vehicles per day through the center of the region. A corridor study has been completed showing all turning movements are at functional failure due to continued growth and the interchange not capable to safely and efficiently handing current traffic volumes. We are seeking funding to move this project forward to design and construction.

WIDENING HIGHWAY 53 TO SIX LANES OUT OF NW HUNTSVILLE TOWARDS HARVEST - HIGHWAY 53 WIDENING (JEFF ROAD TO OLD RR BED)

As growth in northwest Madison County has continued, this critical artery is becoming increasingly dangerous. What was once a sleepy agriculture community is now filled with vibrant subdivisions and retail. This project would widen Highway 53 to six lanes from Jeff Road to Old Railroad Bed Road.

WIDENING HIGHWAY 72 WEST TOWARDS AND THROUGH MADISON - U.S. HIGHWAY 72 WEST WIDENING

This 5.5 miles of widening through multiple jurisdictions will pro-

vide six lanes to improve overall traffic flow, critical capacity and safety improvements along this urban principal east-west arterial with average daily traffic volumes ranging near 50,000 vehicles per day. This project is currently in design and due to the project size and duration, we understand there is consideration for two project phases in order to move it forward more quickly. Phase 1 is anticipated to be between Providence Main and Jeff Road. Highway 72 has become a major throughput and safety concern for the greater Huntsville community.

WIDENING THE LAST FOUR LANE SECTION OF I-565 BETWEEN I-65 AND DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLEINTERSTATE 565 WIDENING (CLR TO WALL-TRIANA)

This has been a top priority for the community as new jobs and investment continue to come to the region. We are grateful for the recent completion of six lanes on I-565 between I-65 and County Line Road. We understand that the next segment between County Line Road and Wall Triana Highway is currently under design. We are seeking a continued commitment to move this project towards construction to complete all six lanes along I-565 through our growing community.

CONSTRUCTION OF A REDSTONE ARSENAL FOCUSED INTERCHANGE ON I-565 NEAR RESOLUTE WAY - RESOLUTE WAY INTERCHANGE AT I-565

With this project, drivers on Madison Boulevard would be connected to Redstone Arsenal at Gate 9. This new interchange would improve safety and efficiency directly west of the existing I-565 and Research Park Boulevard (SR 255) interchange that leads directly into Gate 9. This is a heavily traveled roadway with 75,000 vehicles per day connecting Redstone Arsenal to the Northern Bypass. A new interchange is needed to reduce congestion and improve safety at this location. An environmental assessment is currently being performed by Redstone Arsenal and we are seeking funds to move this project forward into design and construction to benefit the region.

CREATION OF A CONNECTING ROAD BETWEEN

I-565 AND REDSTONE ARSENAL GATE 10REDSTONE ARSENAL EAST CONNECTOR

This roadway will provide direct access from I-565 to Redstone Arsenal Gate 10 at Patton Road, which consists of 2.5 miles of new four-lane divided limited access highway. This project is needed to divert Interstate traffic directly to the eastern side of Redstone Ar-

senal to its City Center for direct access to new jobs and buildings that are associated with existing and proposed employment centers and infrastructure on base. Additional funding is needed to improve gate access inside Redstone Arsenal. The corridor study is currently underway, and we are seeking funding to move the project towards design and construction.

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) REAUTHORIZATION ACT

The current FAA Reauthorization Act is set to expire in FY23, so Congress must pass a new five year FAA Reauthorization Act. The new FAA Reauthorization Act should address infrastructure funding needs and environmental issues.

America’s airports are powerful engines for economic opportunity in local communities, generating more than $1.4T in annual economic activity and supporting nearly 11.5 million jobs. As passenger traffic grows, airports need increased funding to ensure that our aviation infrastructure can keep pace with demand. Additionally, certain environmental issues have the potential to significantly impact airports. The FAA has required airports to use firefighting foam containing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) for decades, and now there is growing concern about the presence of PFAS in the environment. Airports currently face unlimited potential liability for costs associated with PFAS remediation. Similarly, airports have established noise programs based on FAA noise regulations that have been in place for decades, and changes to those noise regulations could require airports to fund new noise studies and noise mitigation efforts.

In consideration of the above funding and environmental concerns, the key components of the new act should include:

■ Increase authorized funding levels for the Airport Improvement Program to at least $4B.

■ Eliminate the $4.50 cap on Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) and extend AIP eligibility to all activities allowed under the PFC program.

■ Allow airports to determine priority of projects rather than FAA.

■ Remove $20M cap on federal investment allowed in terminal projects at some small and non-hub airports.

■ Prohibit changes to noise policy without stakeholder consensus and funding for changes resulting in costs to airports.

■ Provide airports with immunity from liability for PFAS contamination and funding for PFAS clean-up/remediation.

■ Approve a fluorine-free firefighting foam and provide funding for transition to the new foam.

Community Impact: The Port of Huntsville has immediate needs for infrastructure investments to continue to be able to meet the expected flow of passengers and goods due to Huntsville becoming the largest city in Alabama and the growth of business and commerce in the region. In order to keep pace with the passenger demands and provide modern and improved facilities we need more funds to meet future needs.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support a new five-year Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act that includes the key components listed above.

MUNICIPAL BONDS

In recent Congressional sessions, Congress has considered tampering with the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds, which has been in place for over 100 years. In the 116th Congress, the House Ways and Means Committee considered a number of items impacting municipal bonds, including the reinstatement of tax-exempt advance refunding bonds and protecting Build America Bonds from federal budget sequestration. There were also some legislative vehicles debated, such as H.R. 3967, the Municipal Bond Market Support Act, which would have increased the small issuer exception from $10M to $30M in issuances per year.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ The Chamber supports enactment of legislation that protects the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds, reinstates advance refunding bonds, simplifies municipal bond private-use rules, and increases the current small issuer exception limit from $10M to $30M. The Chamber also believes direct payment bonds could be a useful supplement to traditional tax-exempt financing, but Congress must first permanently prohibit the sequestration of payments to current issuers of direct payment bonds. In the 117th Congress, members approved the prohibition of the sequestration of payments under PAYGO for two years through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. This Act did not, however, reduce or delay sequestration of payments under the Budget Control Act of 2011. The Chamber strongly encourages Congress to pass legislation that permanently prohibits all sequestration of direct payments. Also in the 117th Congress, Representative Terri Sewell introduced legislation that would reinstate advanced refunding, which was included in the House version of the Build Back Better Act. Unfortunately, this measure was not taken up by the Senate. The Chamber requests that our delegation continue to support sound legislation that will increase our state, county, and city’s access to tax free bond issues, so that their match to federal dollars will go farther; support the restoration of advanced refunding; and pass legislation permanently prohibiting sequestration of direct payments.

DIRECT PAYMENT OF REFUNDABLE TAX CREDITS

Since the 1970s, Congress has used federal tax incentives to encourage certain forms of energy investments in the United States. In more recent years, Congress has expanded and extended such incentives to promote non-emitting energy resources to address climate change. Arguably, tax expenditures are the single most powerful federal tool used to incentivize wind, solar, geothermal, and nuclear power development in the United States. However, most such incentives do not work for public power utilities, which are, as units of state and local government, exempt from federal taxation. The Chamber believes that if Congress has market-wide policy objectives, such as addressing climate change, then tax-based energy incentives should be drafted to accommodate tax-exempt entities, including municipal governments and municipal utilities. Congress is considering making such tax credits “refundable” beyond an owner’s tax liability; municipal governments and utilities should qualify for these credits.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ If it intends to create incentives in pursuit of national energy and climate goals, Congress should realize that tax-based incentives will not have the market-wide reach of direct grants

and other incentives. Tax-based incentives should be drafted to accommodate tax-exempt entities, namely municipal governments and utilities, by including direct payment of refundable tax credits. In the 117th Congress, steps were taken in the right direction with the institution of direct payments for the incentives authorized in the Inflation Reduction Act. The Chamber requests our delegation support instituting direct payments for all tax-based incentives.

MISSILE & SPACE INTELLIGENCE CENTER (MSIC)

National Impact: Located at the Richard C. Shelby Center for Missile Intelligence on Redstone Arsenal, the Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA) MSIC is one of our nation’s premier scientific and technical intelligence organizations. MSIC is charged with analyzing and understanding the characteristics, performance, operations, and vulnerabilities of foreign threat anti-tank guided missiles, air defense systems, command and control, short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM), directed energy weapons, and counter space weapon systems. MSIC’s efforts are vital elements to bolster our nation’s defense against these increasingly sophisticated, highly capable foreign threats especially as U.S. and allied systems responsively become more complex and increasingly interoperable in complex battlespace, joint and multi-domain (e.g., air-land-sea-space-cyber) operations. MSIC informs the complete spectrum of operations, from national security strategic to Warfighter unit tactical.

Building upon outstanding scientific and engineering skills and capabilities across the Huntsville region, MSIC has been a pioneer in the development of innovative technical and engineering solutions to continually advance broader national intelligence analysis capabilities. These in-depth and innovative skills such as advanced modeling and simulation (M&S) should continue to be leveraged to address additional key national priorities such as the rapidly growing offensive hypersonics and cyber threats. In addition to M&S, enabling engineering toolsets to better analyze and evaluate foreign materiel hardware is just as a critical factor in understanding the complete foreign threat system picture. The evolving sophistication of multi-domain battlespace operations demands advanced simulations be more collaboratively shared across intelligence production centers especially as technology, digital engineering and high-performance computing (HPC) power enables more seamless Integrated Threat Analysis Simulation Environments (ITASE). MSIC dynamically connects across Team Redstone; from PEO Missiles and Space, PEO Aviation, Missile Defense Agency, Space and Missile Defense Command/ARSTRAT, Army Futures Command (AFC) Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) as well as FBI. Needs exist to better synergize MSIC’s threat-based technical capabilities with AFC AvMC research and development. For example, MSIC’s advanced missile system modeling and simulation as well as hardware in the loop experience can significantly enhance AFC Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) AVMC as it works to define technology development priorities for U.S. Army requirements including the challenges of defining hypersonic vehicle performance capabilities to counter foreign threats. The MSIC-AFC AvMC offense-defense interaction research and analysis program should also be sustained and expanded upon. The program is also vital to understanding cyber threat characteristics and the development of responses to mitigate emerging cyber security and supply chain risk management threats. To keep pace with rapidly evolving global threats, MSIC must expand its own ability to capture, analyze, report and securely disseminate

intelligence information and reports thru improvements to its MSIC Knowledge Base (MKB). This includes improving ways of digitizing information, cataloguing data, maximizing query discoverability and usability of information as an intelligence enterprise secured, shared resource at any optimal point of end-user need.

MSIC must also expand its physical facilities to support increased demand for cyber related lab space, high performance computing requirements, and foreign materiel exploitation project activities. As worldwide missile and air breathing threats increase in technical capabilities and inventory levels, the threats become more challenging to U.S. and allied warfighters. MSIC therefore must have the critical human, financial, physical, and facility resources necessary to sustain and expand its mission to support the acquisition community, national policy makers, and the air-sea-land and cyberspace operations of the combatant commands.

Community Impact: Employing about 400 government personnel and approximately 300 contractors, MSIC will continue to significantly contribute to our nation’s defense. The local economic impact from MSIC will be enhanced by ensuring funding supports robust analysis of the growing air defense, SRBM, counter space, hypersonic and cyber threats.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Increase FY23 MSIC funding over president’s budget request to provide increased support for MSIC intelligence analysis program with emphasis on developing digital engineering / model based systems engineering tools and methodologies to address threat Integrated Kill Webs and weapon autonomy, including enhancements for offensive hypersonics technology threat M&S, lab space facility expansion, as well as the cyber security offense-defense integration program and facility/lab space for HPC and foreign materiel exploitation.

CYBER

National Impact: Redstone Arsenal and the Tennessee Valley are recognized nationwide as a federal center of excellence for mission assurance, as well as cyber security research, development, and engineering programs and related policy. The growth in protecting the complexity of the defense and organic industrial base, strategic supply chains, financial markets and intellectual property has extended into the space and cyberspace domains. This will require the development of a high quality, innovative workforce and continued discovery and creation of opportunities for collaboration among government and private organizations. A growing FBI presence brings new opportunities for Redstone Arsenal tenants and industry partners to collaborate in the development of policy and programs that protect our mission systems, supply chain and critical infrastructure. In addition, the growing reliance of our Nation’s defense and commerce to operate from and in space requires that we ensure our space-based assets are cyber resilient. Our community’s space development capabilities, combined with our continually growing cyber expertise uniquely qualify our region to lead in space-oriented cyber resilience. Our cyber workforce must grow both in capacity and capability to satisfy existing and new cyber workforce demands. Government and industry must create new forums and communities of interest, and research and advocate for technical solutions. These actions must occur while generating and promoting the necessary and adequate policy required for the creation and implementation of new capabilities.

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is the DoD compliance program to secure Controlled Unclassified Information

(CUI) data in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Failure to provide adequate assessments of cyber compliance NIST-800-171 standard will result in the inability of contractors to sign new defense contracts. Small and Medium Businesses (SMB) contracts are at risk due to the estimated investment of $100K to $1M. The GAO reports that fewer than 20 percent of defense contractors are ready for CMMC third party assessment according to the DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO) office (GAO-22-104679, 2021). In Alabama, there are as many as 5,604 defense companies across 67 counties at potential risk; the national number is staggering.

Community Impact: The Tennessee Valley continues to mature a workforce pipeline to develop, attract, and retain a broad range of technical and management professionals focused on cyber security and mission systems assurance. Huntsville and the surrounding Tennessee Valley will promote progressive, complementary initiatives established at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the Alabama School for Cyber Technology & Engineering, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s U.S. Cyber Camp, and other educational institutions. These initiatives define the framework for a progressive path to develop desperately needed technicians, managers, and policy developers.

The following requested actions are consistent with the 2023 NDAA, Executive Order 4028 (Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity), and NIST Special Publication 800-161 (Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Practices for Systems and Organizations).

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Continue support and funding to the Program Executive Office’s (PEO) (Missiles & Space, PEO Aviation, et al.) to defend weapons systems against cyberattacks, integrate cyber policy and programmatic capabilities in the acquisition lifecycle, and protect the industrial base and supply chain. With respect to the NDAA, this effort should leverage the use of data, advance analytics, and automation to ensure long term program scale and affordability.

■ U.S. Army weapons platforms require Cyber Resilience as a key performance parameter of System Survivability. Cyber resilience of weapon systems enables battlefield dominance in a compromised and contested cyber environments. To meet this requirement the Army will develop, integrate, and demonstrate secure technologies for weapon systems using secure digital bus subsystems while minimizing performance degradation. Continue to support Army labs and centers within Army Futures Command, Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC), along with industry partners as they mature the competencies and infrastructure to enable maturation and transition of such technologies to weapon system program manager. Continue to support and fund additional missile and aviation S&T research (6.2 basic research, 6.3 applied research) to provide engineering, development and testing of technologies relevant to Cyber & Electromagnetic activities.

■ Provide funding to PEO Aviation to support the design and implementation of a cyber resiliency/survivability program to integrate traditional compliance focused cybersecurity into a holistic mission focused risk-based cybersecurity program across all Army aviation platforms. This effort would require partnerships with academia, industry, and other organizations such as Air Force; Navy; Army Futures Command; Army Threat Systems Management Office; Command, Combat Capabilities Development Command; and Redstone Test Center.

■ Support the creation of a policy, program and integration think tank to support Supply Chain and Counterintelligence Risk Management Task Force. The NSAA orders the Director of National Intelligence to establish a Supply Chain and Risk Management Task Force to standardize information sharing between the Intelligence Community and the government’s acquisition personnel with respect to supply chain and counterintelligence risks. The task force must deliver an annual report to several congressional committees.” NDAA directs the Acquisition Executive for each military service to recommend to the Secretary of Defense at least one major weapons system acquisition program for a pilot program focused on streamlining the entire milestone decision process for major weapons acquisition programs. The results of the pilot program will be evaluated and reported for potential wider use in those very large procurements.

■ Increase funding to the Army Threat Systems Management Office (TSMO) to enable acquisition, development, deployment, and operational use of threat-based capabilities to identify, analyze, and assess comprehensive cyber-attack surfaces of weapons programs, critical infrastructure/ operational technologies, and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB)—TSMO DIB support is provided through the National Cyber Security Operations Center (NCSOC). Each capability should leverage the use of data, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and automation to ensure long term program scale and affordability.

■ Increase funding to Army Materiel Command (AMC) in order to refine and extend strategies related to the Security Operations Center as a Service (SOCaaS) in order to build on 2022 investments, extending beyond core services to include the development and deployment of a standard network services across the Organic Industrial Base (OIB), and extend the ability to continuously monitor and detect cybersecurity risks for our Nation’s most critical infrastructure entities.

■ Increase funding for Army Materiel Command (AMC) in support of the OIB Modernization Task Force to support OIB talent development across the OIB, and specifically to build a “hub and spoke” cyber talent support network, based in Huntsville, to provide ongoing, coordinated training and development for individuals tasked with supporting local ICN and Operations Technology (OT) cyber support and defense.

■ Increase Missile Defense Agency (MDA) funding to enable prototype development, pilot implementation and operation of defensive cyber operations capabilities across MDA mission systems, RDT&E environments, and core information technology system networks to meet requirements in FY23 NDAA to include: Conduct cyber reconnaissance and threat hunting activities across the enterprise and extended to high-risk DIB suppliers of critical missile defense system components; Meet requirements in FY22/23 NDAA to assess current and emerging offensive cyber posture of U.S. adversaries and develop defensive cyber capabilities to defend against state-sponsored threats inclusive of the space domain; Develop a roadmap and strategy to enhance cyberspace training and security cooperation across public/private sectors (Sec 1507 NDAA 23). Focus would be the establishment of a training and education program that identifies “in-demand” cyber roles and targets cyber mission force readiness shortfalls. Establishes a bench of qualified candidates who can provide impact upon hire; and establish a cyber innovation

lab designed to operationally test commercial cybersecurity capabilities available in the market that could provide immediate benefit to MDA.

■ Initiate funding to develop a state-of-the-art cyber range at the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE). A Presidential Proclamation on October 11, 2022 demonstrated the need for cybersecurity for the nation’s critical infrastructure. ASCTE will utilize the cyber range to develop curriculum, labs, and hands-on experiences for student learners across the state and country.

■ Sustain funding for the JROTC Cyber Pilot Program. This program will modernize and complement the traditional JROTC curriculum with an innovative curriculum designed to prepare a new generation of cyber professionals entering the civilian workforce, military or post-secondary education.

■ Sustain and increase funding for the National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education program which supports UAH and eight other Alabama colleges and universities.

■ Establish funding to enhance and expand non-traditional secondary education programs like U.S. Cyber Camp, which are designed to grow the cyber workforce through immersive engagement outside traditional classroom setting and provide professional development for educators.

■ Support specific Tennessee Valley-based multiagency collaboration (DoD, DOJ, NASA) efforts in applied artificial intelligence capabilities such as enhanced cyber threat intelligence and automated cyber detection and response.

■ Create legislation that supports small and medium contractors to encourage compliance with NIST SP 800-171 standards by offering incentives for compliance through a national grant program.

■ Advocate that the Cyber Accreditation Board (AB) create an ecosystem role for “Registered Practitioner Organization with Certification (RPO-C)” to qualify vendors who meet CMMC certification as assessed by a CMMC Third-Party Assessing Organization (C3PAO).

DOD ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY:

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS), ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & MACHINE LEARNING, 5G/6G CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS, QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS, DATA ANALYTICS

National Impact: The FY23 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) dedicates considerable volume and funding to advanced technology across the DoD. For example, the DoD funding for 5G cellular applications in FY23 is $249.5M. Of the $470M in Technology Innovation at OSD R&E, $200M is allocated to Accelerating Quantum Applications. “Machine Learning” is cited 14 times in the FY23 NDAA; and “Unmanned Aircraft Systems or UAS – 88 times.”

Between the 2022 and 2023 NDAA technical “explosions” in advanced cellular (5G/6G), Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technology, Machine Learning and Data Analysis have all progressed across the globe at an astonishing rate. Each of these technologies affects the Federal, DoD, and State agencies operating in the greater Huntsville area. Specifically in the DoD’s leading areas of Aviation, Missile, Space, Cybersecurity, and Quantum technology systems. Counter-UAS priority is a complimentary military capability, and force/homeland security

capability to the U.S. advanced technology.

Beginning in FY22 the intent of the NDAA is focused on transitioning R&D into weapon systems. Especially for the Army, FY23 supports continuation of the FY22 goals while increasing the U.S. investment in advanced technology key to countering the U.S. designated strategic threats. The Army’s Modernized Systems must use the Advanced Technologies to achieve the Army 2030 goals and counter the military strategic and operational threats. Examples include: The Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), (Air) Launched Effects (LE), Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), and Precision Strike Missile (PRSM). Plus, threat mitigation solutions focused on aerial autonomous threat technology, i.e., Counter-UAS. All critical modernized weapon systems being developed at Redstone Arsenal by PEO Aviation, PEO Missiles & Space, RCCTO, Aviation & Missile Engineering Center (AvMC), Threat Systems Management Office (TSMO) and the FBI.

Community Impact: Army PEO Aviation, PEO Missiles and Space, Missile Defense Agency, and the Aviation & Missile R&D Center (CCDC-AvMC) represent the technical and programmatic wealth for the DoD’s most advanced weapon systems. Therefore, investments in UAS, AI, 5G-6G, Quantum, Machine Learning, and Data Analysis benefit the greater Huntsville workforce while meeting the National Security objectives. All Federal and DoD activities located on Redstone Arsenal use or are directly affected by applications of the FY23 NDAA Advanced Technologies.

The Huntsville geographic area should be one of the DoD/Federal centers for Advanced Technology, considering Redstone Arsenal’s activities associated with the Army’s Project Convergence and the direct consequences in National Security and Homeland Security.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ The Senate & House support a proportionate resource allocation to Redstone Arsenal weapon systems development activities incorporating UAS, AI,5G-6G Advanced Cellular, Machine Learning, Quantum Technology, and Data Analysis including Counter-UAS.

■ Emphasize at OSD A&S and R&E Undersecretary levels the direct engagement with the Services (Army) across the Advanced Technology FY23 domain in particular the S&T/R&D transition into operational programs or functioning prototypes.

FBI CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AT REDSTONE ARSENAL

Over the past several years, the FBI has focused its construction efforts at Redstone Arsenal on its North Campus, which focuses on science, technology, and innovation. Over the coming years, the FBI anticipates continuing these construction efforts, as well as beginning construction on the FBI’s South Campus. A large part of the FBI’s Huntsville expansion strategy is centered on how the FBI can best position itself to manage and apply an increasingly broad range of technology throughout the next decade and beyond. This South Campus development will include world-class operational training for FBI employees and key partners.

In FY 2022, the FBI achieved several critical milestones, the biggest of which culminated in a ribbon cutting event for the FBI’s North Campus. On November 21, 2022, FBI Director Christopher Wray, U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, and U.S. Army Materiel Command Chief of Staff Major General Walter Duzzny cut a ribbon, symbolically marking the completion of the Operations Building 1 (Ops 1), Technol-

ogy Building 1 (Tech 1), the Health, Wellness and Resiliency Center (HWRC) and 9 other buildings. Also in attendance were U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt, and other Federal, state and local dignitaries, FBI leadership and employees. The celebration highlighted Redstone’s essential role in the advancement of the technology, analytics, and training missions of the FBI, among other mission sets.

The FBI is particularly excited about Ops 1, which accommodates approximately 1,300 personnel from nearly a dozen Headquarters divisions. The facility includes multi-purpose space to support conferences and training efforts as well as a nearby parking garage – the first parking garage constructed on the Arsenal. Additional key construction projects that became operational in 2022 include a technology-focused building (Tech 1), which brings together FBI enterprise security and network operations. The new suite of facilities also includes a commons building (HWRC) for campus amenities, including a gym that supports fitness-for-duty requirements, employee resources, and a pavilion suitable for planned and ad-hoc gatherings.

The most notable building on the North Campus under construction is the Innovation Center. This building will be a state-of-the-art, 250,000-square-foot facility, bringing multiple technology-focused divisions together to train, conduct cyber threat intelligence analysis and data analytics, and target rapidly changing technological threats. The Innovation Center will house over 300 full-time personnel from the FBI and partner agencies and will have the capacity to accommodate hundreds of trainees at any given time. The facility will include a Kinetic Cyber Range, a virtual reality classroom, and multi-purpose classrooms with enhanced audio/visual capabilities, labs, and workspaces. A groundbreaking ceremony for the Innovation Center took place on June 29, 2021; the facility is scheduled to open in the spring of 2024.

As mentioned, the FBI’s Redstone expansion also includes building out the South Campus, located near the FBI’s Hazardous Devices School. The South Campus will be focused on conducting advanced and specialized training for FBI Agents and technicians using comprehensive, state-of-the-art training facilities. This training will build on the initial basic training provided at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. In essence, the South Campus will create a “real-world” training environment in a controlled setting, thus enabling the FBI to train thousands of students per year on new and emerging technologies. The FBI is grateful to Senator Shelby for his support and his efforts to grow the FBI’s footprint on Redstone Arsenal.

BROADBAND, “LAST MILE AND MIDDLE MILE,” & COMMUNICATIONS SPECTRUM

Huntsville and north Alabama rely on a highly technical and diverse workforce, which requires broadband access throughout the commuting area. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed in 2021, invests more than $1T into National Infrastructure. Specifically, $65B was set-aside as grants to states for broadband deployment and other efforts to close the digital divide. The legislation expands eligible private activity bond projects to include broadband infrastructure. We believe the broadband, while designed for 19 million Americans to access high-speed internet directly, benefits the N. Alabama region by increasing both data and telecommunications access. Upgrading and further developing broadband in the N. Alabama area will provide access to the highest levels of our professional and technical workforce. From the bill, “As business efficiency and worker productivity improve, so will wages.”

The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber supports broadband policies that promote: (1) increased access to affordable broadband for all Alabamians, (2) the efficient deployment of advanced technologies, including small cells and 5G, while also recognizing local authorities to manage public rights of way, (3) continued investment and innovation to enhance deployment across Alabama, and (4) competition and choice for Alabama’s businesses and residents.

Community Impact: Broadband, consisting of wired and radiofrequency (RF) transmission, plus the networking infrastructure, is the direct impact envisioned by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. With Redstone Arsenal as a key economic center of the greater Huntsville area, improving high-speed data and telecommunications access benefits all communities in the region. Redstone Arsenal is a critical piece of our national security, and it is supported by numerous small, medium, and large defense contractors, commercial business, and industrial manufacturers. The ever-evolving technology landscape requires robust, cutting-edge broadband service to ensure Redstone, as well as its supporting industries and businesses, maintains operational excellence. The increasing reliance on virtual work, education, and social services continues to place greater demands on individuals, families, workers, and social supporters across the region. The Huntsville area should continue to lead the state by deploying broadband and telecommunications as envisioned by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Of particular interest is the integrated reliance on high-speed internet and broadband for federal and state critical infrastructure such as power generation, dams, and waterways. Additionally, we support investment in “middle-mile” network development which bridges the network backbone to households and businesses. Additional technology which is also a national priority is the further development of 5G cellular.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Alabama delegation continued interest in the Administration allocation of funding for broadband into the north Alabama region. Proportionate investment in north Alabama to enable the goals and objectives of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

■ Direct engagement with Federal agencies such as the Department of Transportation, FCC, NTIA and Commerce toward timely and efficient allocation of FY21 funding which was enacted in August 2021 and IIJA, which was enacted in Nov. 2021 with $65B in Broadband.

MEDICARE WAGE INDEX – HEALTHCARE

Nearly one million Alabama residents rely on Medicare for health insurance, with the State’s ninety-two hospitals providing both the infrastructure and safety net for their healthcare. Medicare pays hospitals for this care through a complicated formula that relies in large part on a “wage index” that has long-ago lost its ability to fairly allocate Medicare dollars.

The wage index is part of a formula used nationwide to determine how much a hospital is paid for providing care to Medicare patients. The original intent was to provide Medicare payments to hospitals based on market-to-market differences in labor costs nationwide. The wage index formula is budget neutral, meaning when wages of hospitals go up in one part of the country, payments in these hospitals increase and payments to hospitals in other areas decrease.

While the goal of the original wage index was to reflect variations in the country’s labor markets, the formula has been manipulated. The system now includes a multitude of exceptions and political fixes and

is no longer a true representation of labor markets. Beyond political manipulation, since the wage index formula is budget neutral, a self-perpetuating cycle develops for states like Alabama. As a state like California receives higher payments, those hospitals have more resources to increase wages, driving their wage index higher and rural states’ wage index lower. After years of manipulation and this cycle of the rich getting richer, hospitals in some states are paid nearly twice as much as Alabama hospitals for providing the exact same care to a Medicare patient. While a partial fix was implemented in 2019 – providing hospitals in the lowest quartile an increase of half the difference between their wage index and the 25th percentile – the underlying formula remains fundamentally flawed and further rule changes are necessary to close the large gap between urban and rural providers. Forty percent of all hospital care in Alabama is covered by Medicare, so for every dollar lost to another state in reduced Medicare payments, the cost is spread to patients who have private insurance. Hospitals in high cost markets are rewarded, while cost efficient markets like Alabama are penalized.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support actions to recalculate the wage index formula to remove inherent inequalities and to provide reasonable payments to all hospitals for services provided. The formula should be reset to avoid manipulation, set a range on payments to avoid a negative self-perpetuating cycle, and to establish a reasonable floor that rewards efficient providers.

REGIONAL ENERGY INNOVATION

The Huntsville community continues to invest considerable time and effort to promote energy market economic development, and assess emerging opportunities in the area with TVA, DoD, DoE, ADECA, TARCOG, the Business Council of Alabama and the Energy Institute of Alabama. The Mayor’s office, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, UAH, Redstone Arsenal, Army Corps of Engineers, MSFC, AMCOM, CCDC, Oak Ridge Huntsville Partnership, the TVC, TechRich, BizTech, Huntsville Utilities, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC), Seven States Power Corporation, and TVA work continuously to frame candidate energy projects and activities that would reduce community and DoD energy consumption, reduce logistics requirements in the field, improve resiliency and redundancy through integrated “smart” technologies, and provide low-cost renewable power production capabilities at installations including Redstone, the USSRC, Huntsville Utilities, BizTech and other eligible sites in the region. A significant ongoing activity is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Huntsville Center continuing to execute important contracting efforts for renewable energy generation, management, and control systems.

Community Impact: Emerging energy technology companies and their solution systems, along with DoD and commercial applications, represent a promising opportunity to diversify and grow the region’s economy in the energy sector. Huntsville energy interests collaborate on opportunities to apply critical systems R&T and testing skills to new Huntsville projects, such as the use of fuel cells in UAVs, biofuels in the Army fleet, the validation of renewable energy power production systems, energy storage, distributed energy resources (DER) like small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), transportation (electric vehicles), combined heat and power (CoGen) facilities, renewable energy resources and other portable power systems for the warfighter in support of the U.S. Army. The community also sees this as a way to spawn new commercial applications, and to further solidify Hunts-

ville’s image and reputation as a provider of innovative and leading edge “smart” technical energy solutions.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

• Support innovative energy pilot projects at Redstone, MSFC, the FBI, and the USSRC that align with the area’s power generation and monitoring requirements to include feasibility analysis.

• Support the provisions of the Military Energy Security Act in establishing collaborative DoD, DoT, and DoE Pilot Programs such as EVs, DER, and SMRs.

• Support DoD and DoE energy initiatives and proposals that enable technologies, such as SMRs, renewables, energy storage, alternative fuel development, and other opportunities developed in the broader Tennessee Valley region to compete for funding via budget measures and incentives.

• Support policy and community initiatives that reduce barriers and enable businesses to take advantage of cost effective energy efficiency, distributed resources, and renewable energy programs.

PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE, MISSILES & SPACE (PEO MS)

National Impact: To succeed in Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO), U.S. Army Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Forces must execute three essential tasks across multi-domains (land, sea, air, space, and cyber). First, fixed assets, semi-fixed assets, and maneuvering forces must be protected. Secondly, critical theater and operational support areas must be defended. Lastly, combat capabilities must converge at critical points in the battlespace to exploit windows of opportunity. Of the Army’s modernization programs necessary to enable LSCO, PEO MS manages five: Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS), Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD), Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC), and the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS). These critical modernization programs will increase warfighter lethality and enhance force protection throughout the multi-domain battlespace.

Community Impact: The PEO MS team of more than 2,400 dedicated professionals working in collaboration with the Army Futures Command, Cross Functional Teams, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Centers of Excellence, other military organizations, sister services, and the defense industry to pursue opportunities for combined research and development on emerging technologies and modernization of fielded systems, which support thousands of jobs in the Huntsville area.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Fully fund the President’s budget request for the Army’s Long Range Precision Fires and Air and Missile Defense modernization priorities and legacy programs.

INTEGRATED AIR MISSILE DEFENSE BATTLE COMMAND SYSTEM (IBCS)

National Impact: The Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS) provides a cohesive command and control (C2) system integrating sensors and shooters. The open architecture integrates legacy and developmental weapons providing a Single Integrated Air Picture and common mission command system increasing the battlespace and decision time. IBCS enables extended range and non-line-of-sight engagements

across the full spectrum of combat operations. The Integrated Fire Control Network (IFCN) improves the AMD community’s ability to fight and survive in denied operational environments. During the recent Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E), IBCS successfully engaged multiple stressing targets by fusing data from multiple sensors demonstrating the ability to maintain continuous custody of targets, despite operating in contested-environment conditions. The results from IOT&E will inform the Full Rate Production Decision and Initial Operational Capability in FY23.

As the integrator of IBCS software, the Army is in the process of developing the Software Integration Facility (SWIF). The SWIF is a planned Government Owned and Government Operated facility which will allow System of System engineering and development activities for future capabilities to begin early hardware/ software integration, test, and defect resolution prior to the start of Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) software and algorithm product development. The SWIF operations will be managed by the Integrated Fires Rapid Capabilities Office (IFRCO) within PEO Missiles and Space.

Community Impact: Huntsville is the birthplace of IBCS. The program supports more than 600 jobs in the north Alabama area.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the President’s Budget request for IBCS that will allow us to fight and win in Multi-Domain environments. Full funding will maintain over 600 hundred jobs in Huntsville.

GUIDED MULTIPLE LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEM (GMLRS)

National Impact: Recent world events have shown that the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) is the preferred choice for long range, precision strike capability against point and area targets. A mature, combat-proven system, GMLRS’ munitions are optimized to attack, neutralize, suppress, and destroy time sensitive, high payoff targets out to 70+ kilometers. The extended range GMLRS variant, currently in system qualification, will double the system’s reach providing another cost-effective and flexible solution for Commanders to shape the battlefield in the cross-domain fight. GMLRS is compatible with current Field Artillery launchers and rocket production capacity is being expanded to support increasing domestic and international customer demand. The PEO MS team partners with the LRPF Cross Functional Team (CFT) and the DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center to continuously improve this reliable, effective, and relevant capability in support of our Warfighters.

Community Impact: The GMLRS program locally supports the employment of hundreds of Government and support contractor personnel in North Alabama.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the President’s Budget request for GMLRS to deliver a robust production capability and tactical inventory level that supports our Field Artillery rocket forces. Full funding will maintain hundreds of jobs in Huntsville.

PRECISION STRIKE MISSILE (PRSM)

National Impact: Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF) is an Army weapon system priority and critical enabler to penetrate and neutralize threat Anti-Access and Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities. Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is the Army’s next-generation, long-range, surface to surface, precision-strike missile with

capabilities to attack, neutralize and suppress time sensitive threat point and area targets out to 499+ kilometers. Extended range capability will provide Commanders operational flexibility to penetrate, exploit, disintegrate, and dominate threat A2/AD, which is critical in the execution of multi-domain operations. The baseline PrSM development (Increment 1) successfully conducted a series of flight tests using the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher and received Milestone B approval from senior Army leaders. Delivery of initial PrSM Increment 1 missiles will begin in FY23. PEO MS partners with the LRPF Cross Functional Team (CFT) and DEVCOM’s Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) to develop and integrate Science and Technology solutions to provide incremental capability improvements over time. PrSM Increment 2 will integrate an AvMC multi-mode seeker, providing Commanders with the means to suppress, delay or destroy moving, and relocatable land and maritime targets. PrSM Increment 2 deliveries are anticipated to begin in FY27.

Community Impact: The PrSM developmental program locally supports the employment of hundreds of Government and support contractor personnel in North Alabama. The program attracts industry partners and international customers to Huntsville and supports local businesses, to include hotels and restaurants due to business travel.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the President’s Budget request for PrSM to deliver capabilities that increase the U.S. Army’s surface to surface missile capabilities in support of a multi-domain battlefield. Full funding supports both Government and support contractor employment in Huntsville.

MANEUVER, SHORT-RANGE AIR DEFENSE (M-SHORAD)

National Impact: M-SHORAD is an urgent acquisition program to deliver a near-term defensive capability to the maneuver force by providing air defense protection to counter a wide range of air threats allowing the Commander freedom of maneuver. To meet the immediate needs of the maneuver force, PEO MS is outfitting Stryker vehicles with a mission equipment package that includes a 30 mm cannon and the Stinger missile system. M-SHORAD is a highly maneuverable and survivable platform operating within Stryker and Armored Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) providing needed protection against unmanned aircraft systems, rotary-wing, and residual fixed-wing threats. Future variants may include technology insertions such as directed energy that provides a capability against Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar.

Community Impact: The program supports hundreds of jobs in the north Alabama area.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the President’s M-SHORAD Budget request to deliver the maneuver forces protection against enemy air assets. Full funding will maintain hundreds of jobs in Huntsville.

AVENGER

National Impact: The Avenger is a legacy combat system that is used for protection of fixed and semi-fixed critical assets from low altitude Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Cruise Missiles (CM), and Fixed Wing (FW), and Rotary Wing (RW) aircraft threats. Avenger consists of a turret with eight Stinger missiles and a 50-caliber machine gun, mounted on a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). The program is in the

Operations and Sustainment phase of the acquisition lifecycle and is undergoing a Modification - Service Life Extension Program (MOD-SLEP) to replace obsolete components and extend its service life into the 2030s.

Community Impact: The program supports hundreds of jobs in the north Alabama area.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the President’s Avenger MOD-SLEP Budget request to continue to deliver protection against enemy air assets. Full funding will maintain hundreds of jobs in Huntsville.

STINGER

National Impact: The Stinger missile is a legacy combat system that is used for protection of maneuver forces and point defense assets from low altitude Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Cruise Missiles (CM), and Fixed Wing (FW) and Rotary Wing (RW) aircraft threats. It is the primary munition used in the M-SHORAD Inc. 1 system and Avenger. It is currently undergoing a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) to extend the useful life of the missile while adding a proximity fuze to the missile to enhance its lethality. In 2022, the Army directed the re-start of U.S. Stinger missile production to replenish Army and Marine Corps stocks drawn down to support foreign partners.

Community Impact: The program supports hundreds of jobs in the north Alabama area.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the President’s Stinger Missile production Budget request to continue to replace stocks. Full funding will maintain hundreds of jobs in Huntsville.

INDIRECT FIRE PROTECTION CAPABILITY INCREMENT 2 (IFPC INC 2)

National Impact: IFPC Inc 2 bridges the gap between current short range and high altitude air missile defense systems and is a key component of the Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense architecture. A mobile, ground-based weapon system, providing 360-degree protection that simultaneously engages threats from different azimuths, is designed to defeat unmanned aircraft systems and cruise missiles. IFPC is an integral part of tiered and layered Air and Missile Defense that will use IBCS as its mission command.

Community Impact: The program supports hundreds of jobs in the north Alabama area with the Prime Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) based out of Huntsville.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the President’s Budget request for IFPC to address the gap between short range and high altitude defense. Full funding will maintain hundreds of jobs in Huntsville.

LOWER TIER AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE SENSOR (LTAMDS)

National Impact: LTAMDS is a radar with 360-degree coverage that provides a significant operational advantage to the maneuver force by improving the ability to counter complex integrated attack and advanced electronic threats. LTAMDS is an Integrated Air and Missile Defense sensor supporting the Army IAMD System-of-Systems (SOS). The execution of 360-degree engagements supports the full engagement capability of the PATRIOT family of intercep-

tors to defeat threats, address known capability gaps, and provide target track data that other components of the AIAMD SOS architecture leverage. The system is designed to detect advanced and next-generation threats including hypersonic weapons.

Community Impact: The program supports more than 150 jobs in the north Alabama area.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the President’s LTAMDS Budget request that will allow this critical capability to be fielded to U.S. Soldiers in accordance with the NDAA.

PHASED ARRAY TRACKING RADAR TO INTERCEPT OF TARGET (PATRIOT)

National Impact: PATRIOT is the most successful and effective air and missile defense capability currently employed by U.S. forces and fifteen (15) foreign military partners. U.S. Army estimates indicate that the PATRIOT will provide critical Air and Missile Defense capability to our Joint forces to 2030 and beyond. The PATRIOT system is a component of the Missile Defense Agency’s Ballistic Missile Defense System. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), PEO MS, and the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command successfully conducted tests to validate the interoperability of PATRIOT and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system.

Community Impact: Huntsville and Redstone Arsenal are PATRIOT’s birthplace and home. Hundreds of civilian and government jobs in the Huntsville area are critical to the PATRIOT program. All program actions for U.S. Military and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) are processed through the U.S. Army Contracting Command –Redstone Arsenal.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Support the President’s Budget Request. Advocate for continued efforts to support international sales.

INTEGRATED FIRES TEST CAMPAIGN (IFTC)

National Impact: The Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO MS) enters a series of annual Integrated Fires (IF) Test Campaigns (IFTCs) beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 23. These test campaigns will include the synchronization of formal Operational Test (OT) and Developmental Test (DT) events along with other experimental test excursions across the PEO portfolio. The synchronization of test campaigns enables efficiencies in managing resources essential to developing and demonstrating both component and System of System (SoS) architecture requirements. The SoS Test and Evaluation (T&E) approach will use common processes and procedures, common leadership, and a shared SoS vision to plan and execute the Integrated Fires SoS test mission more effectively.

Community Impact: The program supports hundreds of jobs in the north Alabama area.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the President’s Budget to enable SoS engineering, integration and testing across the PEO MS portfolio and with joint agencies, covering additional costs associated with multi-system integration development, testing, evaluation, and fielding.

SOFTWARE INTEGRATION FACILITY (SWIF)

National Impact: The Software Integration Facility (SWIF) is a

planned Government Owned and Government Operated facility which will allow System of System engineering and development activities for future capabilities to facilitate early hardware/ software integration, test, and defect resolution prior to the start of Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) software and algorithm product development. The SWIF operations will be managed by the Integrated Fires Rapid Capabilities Office (IFRCO) within PEO Missiles and Space.

Community Impact: The SWIF will provide employment for several dozen personnel in the north Alabama area.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ Support the President’s IFRCO budget request that will ensure this facility is built and provides its planned capability to our nation’s Soldiers.

THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY (TVA)

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) serves approximately 527,000 households and 105,000 commercial and industrial customers through local power distributors in 17 Alabama counties. TVA’s contribution in economic development and stewardship of the Tennessee River has made a considerable impact in Alabama for 90 years. During fiscal year 2022, TVA helped create or retain about 7,400 jobs in the state with $1.2B capital investment.

TVA’s Alabama footprint is second only to Tennessee in value of assets, transmission load and revenue at $1.5B, which is about 14 percent of TVA’s total operating revenue. TVA’s mission is to provide energy security – energy that is affordable, reliable, resilient – to Alabama families and the state’s economy. TVA is also a national leader in providing “clean” energy, with the most diverse generation fleet in the United States, including nuclear, solar, hydro, gas, and advanced technologies. TVA has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 60 percent against the 2005 benchmark and is executing a plan that will deliver an 80 percent reduction by 2035, with an aspiration to net-zero by 2050.

ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – HUNTSVILLE

The Army Corps of Engineers’ presence in Huntsville includes the Huntsville Engineering and Support Center or USACE HNC with 1100+ employees and upwards of $3B in annual contracts for thousands of large and small contracts. The HNC seeks to maximize awards to small businesses and targets 40%-50 percent of its total annual obligations to small business. In FY22, the Engineering Center awarded $825M in small business contracts, more than $100M greater than 2021 and more than any other entity in USACE. As a point of information, the HNC will be moving onto Redstone Arsenal in January 2024. This will allow the HNC to have all employees under one roof for the first time since its inception in 1967.

The USACE Aviation and Remote Systems Office is responsible for the Army Corps of Engineers UAS and manned aviation safety, standards, and training. The office in Huntsville is the center point for the world-wide Corps of Engineers UAS operations including close ties to the Engineering Research & Development Center in Vicksburg, MS. USACE Aviation leverages the technology workforce in Huntsville to provide best-in-class operational support and for the engineering work to support UAS technology growth.

2023 Congressional Engagement:

1) Endorse the value of UAS in the Army Corps of Engineers

DoD and Homeland Security and Disaster Response missions. Also consistent with the 2021 Infrastructure Act and the FY22 Federal Budget calling out major focus areas such as the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico.

2) The Huntsville Engineering Center as one of the designated Army Corps of Engineers centers responsible across the USACE and other Cabinet level agencies such as the Veteran’s Administration construction projects and all Third Party Financed Energy projects for the Army.

SPACE COMMAND

According to the Air Force, “Redstone Arsenal [ranked] as the highest scoring location in the Evaluation Phase, the highest ranked location in the Selection Phase, and the location with the most advantages in the decision matrix. Air Force officials, including the then-Secretary of the Air Force, stated that the decision to identify Redstone Arsenal as the preferred location stemmed from Air Force analysis showing it was the strongest candidate location.”

In their review of the decision-making process, the GAO said, “We found that the Air Force’s revised selection process included an assessment of costs, benefits, and capabilities of the final six locations, after which it was determined that Redstone Arsenal was the preferred location. In addition, we found that the Air Force took some steps to ensure the revised process assessed candidate locations without a predetermined solution in mind. For example, the Air Force designed evaluation factors to ensure candidate locations received due consideration, and clearly documented analysis in the Nomination and Evaluation Phases.”

The Secretary of the Air Force determined that “Huntsville has lower initial and recurring costs and available space to support early transition to full operations capability while military construction is completed… Huntsville compared more favorably across more factors than any community and at a low cost. Additionally, the offer of a transition facility for no cost at Huntsville and the ability to disperse combatant commands geographically further support this decision.”

CHILD CARE

National Impact: When COVID hit, child care programs shut down or reduced capacity dramatically, leaving working parents with hard choices and employers without reliable staff. This spotlighted the reality that access to affordable, quality child care is a challenge for working parents across the country. This was identified as a national challenge in the proposed Build Back Better legislation that was not passed by Congress, but addressing child care still requires attention at federal and state levels.

Community Impact: While affordable, quality child care is an issue across the country, child care demand exceeds supply by nearly 50 percent in north Alabama, making this is a critical workforce need. Data shows that women and minorities are most impacted by the child care shortage, making this a significant focus for equity, as well.

REQUESTED ACTION:

■ We support efforts to build a strong, stable child care system that meets the needs of families, providers, and employers. We also support tax credits for parents, child care programs and their staff, and businesses that provide child care benefits to their employees.

UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE SPACE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY-SOUTH

The United States Space Force’s (USSF) Space Development Agency (SDA) became a tenant at Redstone Arsenal (RSA) in 2022 when it established SDA-South: a state-of-the-art Space Operations Center to serve as one of two primary command and control nodes for SDA’s proliferated satellite constellation in low Earth orbit.

National Impact: SDA was established in 2019 to be a constructive disruptor in space acquisition. SDA is responsible for rapidly delivering space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter through development, fielding, and operation of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture – a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit. SDA capitalizes on a unique business model that values speed and lowers costs by harnessing commercial development to achieve a proliferated architecture and enhance resilience.

While initially organizationally aligned under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, SDA transferred to the USSF on October 1, 2022, as part of a planned realignment mandated by Congress in the National Defense Authorization Act. As part of USSF, SDA reports to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration for acquisition matters and to the Chief of Space Operations for all other matters.

Community impact: Approximately 20 SDA personnel, including four Army officers, are based at RSA with further growth to 70 civilians, military, and contractors following the completion of SDA’s Space Operations Center in late summer 2024. SDA contract awards in excess of $300M have already been made, benefitting the local Huntsville/Madison County area with more growth envisioned in the near future.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

■ Fully fund the President’s Budget Request for Space Development Agency.

■ Advocate for SDA’s continued independence and authorities.

For more information, please contact:

Mike Ward, CCE, IOM

Senior Vice President, Government & Public Affairs Huntsville/Madison County Chamber