House OKs next LPD-17

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $577.1 billion measure Dec. 4 rejecting Defense Department efforts to cut costs. The legislation allows the radar-jamming A-10 ‘Thunderbolt’ aircraft to keep flying and continue purchases from Boeing. The bill passed the House 300-119. The Senate will likely follow suit next week. The Air Force tried to pressure Congress to retire the entire A-10 fleet. Industry winners: Raytheon (96 Tomahawk missiles for $82M); Boeing (five EA-18G Growlers for $450M); and Lockheed Martin, which would see DOD’s full budget request for F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The measure also allows some $800 million for one additional LPD-17 San Antonio class amphibious ship to be built at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Pascagoula, Miss., shipyard. (Source: Bloomberg, 12/04/14)