USAF Submits $8B Unfunded List to Congress

The Air Force's 2015 unfunded priorities list includes five HC-130Js. (Air Force)

Apr. 3, 2014 - By MARCUS WEISGERBER – Defense News

WASHINGTON — The US Air Force has sent Congress an $8 billion unfunded priorities list, with more than $3.3 billion eyed for new procurement programs, according to a copy of the list obtained by Defense News.

The undated list includes $200 million for the Combat Rescue Helicopter program, a last-minute add to the five-year spending projection contained in the Pentagon’s fiscal 2015 budget proposal, which was sent to Capitol Hill in early March.

The list also includes more than $400 million for five Lockheed Martin F-35 joint strike fighters — two for the Air Force and three for international sales.

The list includes funding for five Lockheed MC-130Js, five HC-130Js and 12 General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft. Two F-35s, the C-130Js and Reapers also appeared in the White House’s Opportunity, Growth and Security Initiative.

About $1.6 billion of the funding would go toward more than five dozen weapons programs, for upgrade and enhancement work.

Another $3 billion would go toward facility maintenance.

In addition, the Air National Guard sent Congress a separate $2.6 billion 2015 unfunded priority list.

The wish list includes $720 million that would be used to purchase 10 new C-130Js. The aircraft would replace a squadron of C-130H aircraft.

The list includes $1.4 billion for modernization of Guard airlift, fighter and rescue aircraft. The eyed upgrades include electronic warfare suites, sensors, situational awareness displays and navigation equipment.

Another $40 million is eyed for five Air Guard cyber protection teams