ARLINGTON, Va., June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Aerospace Industries Association is concerned about substantial cuts to national security space programs in the fiscal year 2012 House Defense Appropriations bill.

"We understand the need for belt-tightening in today's economic climate," said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. "However, we are deeply concerned that the cuts to national security space go too far."

National security space systems provide essential capabilities such as global satellite communications; access to space; positioning, navigation and timing; environmental monitoring; Operationally Responsive Space support to the warfighter; situational awareness and missile warning.  Stable funding for these mission areas is critical.  Research and development in the House bill was reduced by $2 billion with some individual programs taking significant cuts.  Overall, the bill's reductions for space, not including classified programs, total nearly $600 million.  AIA believes such a significant cut on this sector would pose economic and national security challenges because of the vital importance of space capabilities in both areas.

"Long-term funding, block buys and stability are more critical than ever to maintain cutting-edge, cost-effective space programs and a healthy national security space industrial base," Blakey said. "Cuts of this magnitude risk the loss of skilled workforce and the capability to design and build the space assets on which our warfighters and economy depend."  

AIA urges full funding for:

• The fiscal year 2012 budget request for national security space programs of $10.2 billion in addition to support of stable RDT&E funding required for development of future capabilities.
• The Evolutionary Acquisition for Space Efficiency initiative, which will increase stability in the space industrial base.
• The Operationally Responsive Space initiative consistent with the fiscal year 2011 appropriation of $93.9 million to mature new capabilities to provide rapid support to the warfighter.

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SOURCE Aerospace Industries Association

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