Sens. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) have proposed a bill that seeks to provide the Defense Department with more flexibility in terms of allocation of funds for electronic warfare platforms.The proposed Electronic Warfare Enhancement Act would also incorporate EW platforms into the Rapid Acquisition Authority Program in an effort to speed up the acquisition process for such technologies, Kirk’s office said in an announcement published Thursday.
The inclusion of EW systems into the RAA program aims to allow program managers to facilitate technology deployment within two years through waiver of procurement rules and regulations.
“It is critical that the United States military dominates the offensive and defensive ends of electronic warfare,” Kirk said.
Gillibrand said the proposed bill aims to provide uniformed personnel access to new EW platforms in an effort to reduce their vulnerability to national security threats.
DoD’s electronic warfare executive committee will need to submit a strategic plan to Congress that details the budget and procurement process for EW, training improvements and how military branches plan to collaborate on the development of EW platforms, according to the proposed legislation.
