Bishop Presses DoD Yet Again On Maintaining Industrial Base For Rocket Motors

Press Release

Bishop Presses DoD Yet Again On Maintaining Industrial Base For Rocket Motors

Today, during Under Secretary of Defense Michele Flournoy's appearance before the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Rob Bishop (UT-01) took the opportunity to ask the Secretary whether or not she had any knowledge as to whether or not the Department of Defense (DOD) consulted with NASA regarding the impacts the President's funding cuts will have on the defense industrial base. As part of the questioning, the Utah Representative pointed to data that seem to indicate that proposed cuts to NASA rocket programs could seriously damage the military's missile defense capabilities.

"I hold in my hand part of the "Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) Capabilities Report to Congress,' dated June 2009. In the Executive Summary of that report, it makes the following statement on page 47," said Congressman Bishop. "Delays in the NASA Ares program could have significant negative impact on the large SRM prime contractor industrial base and on some of the SRM sub-tier base, specifically material suppliers."

"This report only said a delay in the NASA Ares program…would have significant negative impacts… What about cancellation of the Ares program like this Administration recommended as part of the NASA budget for FY 11?" Bishop asked. "If a delay would have significant negative impacts on Solid Rocket Motor industrial base, what about outright cancellation?"

Secretary Flournoy responded by stating, that she did not know and subsequently would have to get back to Congressman Bishop.

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