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Coast Guard Deepwater Program: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress

Description: This report discusses the Integrated Deepwater Systems (IDS) program, or Deepwater program for short, which is a $24-billion, 25-year project to replace and modernize the Coast Guard’s aging fleet of deepwater-capable ships and aircraft. It is the largest and most complex acquisition effort in Coast Guard history, encompassing 91 new cutters, 124 new small surface craft, and 244 new or converted airplanes, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The issue for Congress is whether to ap… more
Date: December 22, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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North Korean Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States

Description: This report updates recent information concerning, specifically, North Korea’s long-range ballistic missile program. On July 4-5, 2006, North Korea test-launched seven ballistic missiles, including a new Taepo Dong 2 that failed soon after launch. Apparently successful shorter-range missile tests included some combination of SCUDs and No Dongs. More recently, North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test and said it would deploy nuclear weapons on their ballistic missiles, although there is… more
Date: October 18, 2006
Creator: Hildreth, Steven A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Air Force Transformation

Description: This report considers how the Air Force is changing itself to meet new defensive needs. The issues for Congress on this are mostly budgetary and how effective it will be.
Date: January 18, 2006
Creator: Bolkcom, Christopher
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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India and Iran: WMD Proliferation Activities

Description: This report discusses India's nonproliferation record and reported transfers to Iran of limited nuclear, chemical, and missile-related materials. Members of Congress have questioned whether India's cooperation with Iran might affect U.S. and other efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Date: November 8, 2006
Creator: Squassoni, Sharon
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Nuclear Weapons: Changes in Policy and Force Structure

Description: The Bush Administration conducted a review of U.S. nuclear weapons force posture during its first year in office. Although the review sought to adjust U.S. nuclear posture to address changes in the international security environment at the start of the new century, it continued many of the policies and programs that had been a part of the U.S. nuclear posture during the previous decade and during the Cold War. This report, which will be updated as needed, provides an overview of the U.S. nuclea… more
Date: August 10, 2006
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues

Description: Congress has long been concerned about whether U.S. policy advances the national interest in reducing the role of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missiles that could deliver them. China has taken some steps to mollify U.S. concerns about its role in weapons proliferation. Skeptics question whether China's cooperation in weapons nonproliferation has warranted President Bush's pursuit of stronger bilateral ties. This report discus… more
Date: August 2, 2006
Creator: Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Ship Procurement: Alternative Funding Approaches -- Background and Options for Congress

Description: Some observers have proposed procuring Navy ships using incremental funding or advance appropriations rather than the traditional full funding approach that has been used to procure most Navy ships. Supporters believe these alternative funding approaches could increase stability in Navy shipbuilding plans and perhaps increase the number of Navy ships that could be built for a given total amount of ship-procurement funding. The issue for the 109th Congress is whether to maintain or change curren… more
Date: July 26, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Aircraft Carriers: Proposed Retirement of USS John F. Kennedy -- Issues and Options for Congress

Description: The Navy's FY2007 budget proposes retiring the conventionally-powered aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and reducing the size of the carrier force from 12 ships to 11. One potential issue for Congress is whether the carrier force should include 12 ships or some other number. If a carrier is to be retired in the near term so as to reduce the carrier force to 11 ships, a second potential issue is whether that carrier should be the Kennedy or another ship. Potential alternatives to the Kenn… more
Date: August 29, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy-Marine Corps Amphibious and Maritime Prepositioning Ship Programs: Background and Oversight Issues for Congress

Description: The Navy is proposing to maintain in coming years a Navy with 31 amphibious ships and an additional squadron of 14 Maritime Prepositioning Force (Future), or MPF(F), ships. The squadron is intended to implement a new concept called sea basing, under which forces would be staged at sea and used to conduct expeditionary operations ashore with little or no reliance on nearby land bases. Potential oversight issues for Congress include the amphibious-ship force-level goal, the potential affordabilit… more
Date: July 26, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Attack Submarine Force-Level Goal and Procurement Rate: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: Of the 282 ships in the Navy at the end of FY2005, 54 were nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). The Navy is planning to maintain in coming years a fleet of 313 ships, including 48 SSNs. The FY2007-FY2001 Future Years Defense Plan (FYDP) proposes maintaining the one-per-year procurement rate through FY2001, and then increasing the rate to two per year in FY2012. Issues for Congress include the following: Is 48 the correct number of SSNs to meet future needs? Should the start of two-per-year… more
Date: July 26, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Conventional Warheads for Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues for Congress

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

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

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

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

Description: The V-22 Osprey is a tilt-rotor aircraft, capable of vertical or short take off and landing, with forward flight like a conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The MV-22 is the Marine Corps' top aviation priority. Marine Corps leaders believe that the Osprey will provide them an unprecedented capability to quickly and decisively project power from well over the horizon. The V-22 program has been under development for over 25 years. Safety and maintenance concerns have arisen over this period. Support… more
Date: August 23, 2006
Creator: Bolkcom, Christopher
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 1990

Description: This report discusses U.S. security assistance to Taiwan, or Republic of China (ROC), including policy issues for Congress and legislation. U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have been significant. In addition, the United States has expanded military ties with Taiwan after the PRC's missile firing in 1995-1996. However, there is no defense treaty or alliance with Taiwan. Several policy issues are of concern to Congress for legislation, oversight, or other action: 1) the effectiveness of the Administrati… more
Date: June 29, 2006
Creator: Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler Aircraft: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is the Navy's highest priority aviation modernization program. The decision to undertake F/A-18E/F Super Hornet program was made during a period of great turbulence in Navy aviation modernization. During this time frame the Navy struggled to identify and implement the best way to modernize its aging fleet of F-14 fighters and A-6E attack aircraft. The Department of Defense is currently facing a shortage of radar and communications jamming capability. The Super Hornet … more
Date: June 8, 2006
Creator: Bolkcom, Christopher
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy DDG-1000 (DD(X)) and CG(X) Programs: Background and Issues for Congress

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

Description: The Coast Guard's budget requests $934.431 million for the Deepwater acquisition program. The House-reported version of H.R. 5441, the FY2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill, recommends $892.64 million for the Deepwater program; the Senate-reported version recommends $993.631 million.
Date: September 6, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Coast Guard Deepwater Program: Background and Issues for Congress

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

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

Description: Aerial refueling aircraft are key to air operations. The U.S. tanker fleet is large and effective, but old. Modernizing or replacing the current fleet of tankers presents the Department of Defense (DOD) with difficult choices in terms of desired capabilities, force structure, and budget. How this fleet will be maintained or replaced, and on what schedule, has proven controversial. This report will be updated as events warrant.
Date: August 29, 2006
Creator: Bolkcom, Christopher
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy CVN-21 Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issue for Congress

Description: The Navy's proposed FY2007 budget requests $739 million in advance procurement funding for CVN-78, the lead ship in the Navy's proposed CVN-21 class of aircraft carriers. The budget also requests $45 million in advance procurement funding for CVN-79, the second ship in the class. The Navy wants to procure CVN-78 in FY2008 and CVN-79 in FY2012. The House and Senate versions of the FY2007 defense authorization bill (H.R. 5122/S. 2766) support procurement of CVN-78 and CVN-79 but differ on certain… more
Date: May 24, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy CVN-21 Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress

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