Sec. 140. Sense of Congress on F–16 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar upgrade

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Congress makes the following findings: National Guard F–16 aircraft are protecting the United States from terrorist air attack from inside or outside the contiguous United States 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These aircraft, stationed throughout the United States, are tasked with the zero-fail mission of guarding and securing United States airspace. The United States is facing an increased threat from both state and non-state actors. The National Guard F–16 aircraft performing the Aerospace Control Alert

(ACA)mission are operating legacy radar systems. Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh testified to Congress in March 2015, stating, We need to develop an AESA radar plan for our F–16s who are conducting the homeland defense mission in particular. First Air Force, United States Northern Command, issued a Joint Urgent Operational Need

(JUON)request in March 2015 for radar upgrades to its F–16 fleet. It is the sense of Congress that— it is essential to our Nation’s defense that Air Force aircraft modification funding is made available to purchase these Active Electronically Scanned Array

(AESA)radars as the United States Air Force bridges the gap between 4th and 5th generation fighters; the United States Government must invest in radar upgrades which ensure that 4th generation aircraft succeed at this zero-fail mission; and the First Air Force JUON request should be met as soon as possible.