House Panel: Cap FY-12 Stryker Buy At 100 Unless Army Says Why It Needs More

House Panel: Cap FY-12 Stryker Buy At 100 Unless Army Says Why It Needs More
9 May 2011


A House panel proposed legislation this week that would block the Army from buying more than the 100 Stryker vehicles the service seeks to procure in fiscal year 2012 unless service leaders explain why they might need more.
The House Armed Services tactical aircraft and land forces subcommittee, in its version of the Pentagon's fiscal year 2012 authorization bill, includes a provision that sources say is not designed to punish the Stryker program but to put the Army on a shorter leash as it obligates funds provided by Congress for the General Dynamics-built combat vehicle.
The Army, which has not committed to a long-term procurement strategy for the eight-wheeled, four-by-four armored fighting vehicle, has frequently adjusted its Stryker acquisition plans over the years -- “sometimes based on realistic needs, sometimes based on the fact they have no idea what they're doing,” said a source familiar with the program.
A government source said the structure of the contracts in place for procuring Stryker allows the Army to both acquire new vehicles and to upgrade others using funds from the same account, unlike many other programs for which two separate funding lines are established.
The Army's Stryker set-up -- when paired with regular funding boosts from the appropriations committees -- has given the Army unusual flexibility, and Congress reduced oversight, over the program, these sources say.
Last year, the program was sitting on more than $800 million in unobligated balances, funds that have accumulated because of regular changes in the service's procurement plans, according to a government source.
“This is a message from the Hill that 'You'd better tell us what you're doing,'” said the source familiar with the program.
The proposed legislation says the Pentagon may build more than 100 Stryker vehicles in FY-12 only if the Army secretary provides lawmakers a waiver that includes a certification from the service acquisition executive that “there are validated needs” for more.
In addition, the acquisition executive must certify that “all Stryker combat vehicles required to fully equip the nine Stryker brigades and to meet other validated requirements regarding the vehicle have been procured or placed on contract for procurement.” (Source: Inside Defense)


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