Patrick Meehan
22 Mar, 12U.S. Representative Patrick Meehan (PA-07) continued his fight today for Pennsylvania workers who build and service the CH-47 Chinook and V-22 Osprey at Boeing’s Ridley facility.
In a letter to Appropriations Committee leaders Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) and Ranking Member Norm Dicks (D-WA), and Defense Subcommittee Chairman Bill Young (R-FL), Meehan urged support for multi-year procurement contract authority for both aircraft in this year’s Defense appropriations legislation. Meehan, who has led the fight in Congress to protect both programs, told panel members that both aircraft “are providing unique and necessary warfighting capabilities to our men and women in combat.” The President’s Budget for fiscal year 2013 includes these multi-year contracts for the V-22 and CH-47.
“Deployed since 2007, the V-22 has been battle-tested and is the Marine Corps’ most survivable rotocraft. With the unparalleled flexibility of a helicopter and an airplane, the V-22 has been declared critical to the U.S. Marine Corps – a ‘critical linchpin that will enable our Corps to deliver capability across the spectrum of operations,’ according to Marine Corps Commandant, General James Amos,” Meehan wrote to the Appropriations Committee leaders. “Similarly, the CH-47 is the Army’s most capable medium/heavy lift helicopter that performs a wide range of combat, logistical, and humanitarian missions. With over 50 years of combat experience, the CH-47 is a model Army procurement program that will be in the fleet until the mid-2030s.”
Meehan pointed out that both programs have executed previous multi-year contracts on budget and on schedule, saving more than $800 million over single-year contracts. The Secretary of Defense’s office estimates that proposed contracts would save more than $1.2 billion for both programs. Multi-year contracts enable Boeing and its workers to produce aircraft more efficiently, saving taxpayers money and strengthening job security in our region.
“The strong team at Ridley produces advanced aircraft for our troops and value for hardworking taxpayers,” Meehan commented. “I am honored to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Boeing workers who produce, service and test the Chinook and Osprey. They are the best in the business, and I will continue working to protect these critical national defense programs and these jobs.”
Related Posts
- Bell-Boeing awarded $40M for long-lead V-22 components
- Breeze-Eastern to Design and Produce New Winch for MV-22
- Bell takes 407AH to SOFIC 2013
- V-22s delivered to USMC’s presidential squadron
- VMM-266R conducts MV-22B maintenance aboard USS Kearsarge
- ‘Phrogs’ retire as Corps transitions to Osprey
- Bell laying off 140 employees
- Israel to become first V-22 export destination
- US Navy dry cargo ship conducts MV-22 flight trials
- Hydraulics International awarded $7M for V-22 hydraulic power supply carts
- Bell/Boeing awarded $73M V-22 component repair contract
- Ospreys make debut in Thailand
- Rolls-Royce awarded $9M more for MV-22 engine contract
- Bell awarded patent for twin-tail tiltrotor
- MV-22s train in the Philippines with local Air Force
- Rolls-Royce awarded $83M option for V-22 engines
- First Presidential V-22 takes flight
- MV-22 Ospreys conduct first flights in Japan
- Israeli pilots give detailed assessment of V-22
- Bell-Boeing awarded $33M delivery order for V-22 avionics
