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Capitol Comment
by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Texas Leads the Way in Developing 21st Century Military Technology
October 17, 2008
In his first inaugural address, President Ronald Reagan said, “Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon adversaries in today's world do not have.” Though spoken at the height of the Cold War, these words resonate today as our country wages a Global War on Terror against enemies who despise the liberties we hold dear.
In his two terms as Commander in Chief, President Reagan significantly expanded U.S. military resources to ensure that our enemies did not gain a strategic advantage. Today, we are again investing in our defense infrastructure and technology to provide our Armed Forces with the tools they need to win the War on Terror.
Texas, which is home to 18 major military installations and more than 225,000 active and reserve service members, is leading the charge to design and build the technologies that will help our troops fight the forces of Islamic extremism. Many of the advanced weapons, military platforms, and communication networks that keep our troops safe, more informed, and better coordinated in combat situations are developed in our state. For example, in Iraq, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have caused the majority of U.S. deaths. To protect our troops, manufacturers in Sealy, Texas are producing Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, designed to withstand IED attacks. There are now more than 7,700 MRAPs operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. Between May 2007 and May 2008, the number of casualties in Iraq caused by IEDs decreased by nearly 90 percent, due to the surge and enhanced by the implementation of MRAP vehicles.
At Fort Bliss in El Paso, the Army is developing the Future Combat System (FCS), a modernization program that will revolutionize the capabilities of our soldiers and their equipment in combat. The system will dramatically reduce troop casualties in combat by equipping our forces with new technologies. The FCS project is the largest development program in military history, and Texas is at the forefront of this exciting project.
In Amarillo, Texas servicemen and engineers conduct the final assembly stages of the V-22 Osprey. The Osprey is an aircraft that performs a wide variety of functions, including amphibious assault, combat support, and long-range special operations. It takes off and lands like a helicopter, but its propellers can be rotated to convert the aircraft into a turboprop airplane, capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight. It is currently in operation in Iraq, providing valuable combat and logistical support to our troops in the field.
In Fort Worth, engineers and aviators are building a dominant 5th generation fighter fleet. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-22 Raptor will replace many of the planes in our arsenal and transform American aerial combat. These aircraft will be able to counter emerging surface-to-air threats, and will be equipped with state of the art stealth technology. Like the V-22 Osprey, the F-35 and F-22 will expand our air superiority in Iraq, Afghanistan, and future theaters of conflict.
As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I have worked hard to ensure that our military is prepared to defeat 21st Century adversaries. I will remain dedicated to ensuring that our Armed Forces have the resources they need to protect American lives and guard our nation’s freedom.
Kay Bailey Hutchison is the senior Senator from Texas.
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