[Page S12160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ADVANCED AVIONICS SUBSYSTEMS PROGRAM

  Mr. WARNER. There is an issue involving the Navy's progress with the 
Advanced Avionics Subsystems project that should have been addressed in 
the conference report accompanying the fiscal year 1999 National 
Defense Authorization Act. Would the Senator from Pennsylvania care to 
enter into a colloquy regarding this issue.
  Mr. SANTORUM. I thank the Senator from Virginia and would be happy to 
engage in a colloquy. The conferees noted the Navy's progress with the 
Advanced Technology Avionics Subsystems project as exemplified by its 
recent demonstration using Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) technologies 
for avionics applications. The conferees were aware of the difficulties 
associated with using and integrating commercial technologies and 
recognized the merit of the project which is designed to develop viable 
solutions for transitioning affordable technologies.
  Mr. WARNER. Because this project has been successful in identifying 
obstacles and rendering usable solutions for the implementation of COTS 
technologies, does the Senator concur with the recommendation that the 
Department of the Navy consider reprogramming funds to provide for the 
current year's shortfall and to fund the project at its prior years' 
level?
  Mr. SANTORUM. Yes, for the reasons that the Senator from Virginia 
gave, I recommend that the Department of the Navy consider 
reprogramming funds to provide for the current year's shortfall for the 
Advanced Technology Avionics Subsystems project and to fund the project 
at its prior years' level.
  Mr. THURMOND. I have been listening to the colloquy between the 
Senator from Virginia and the Senator from Pennsylvania and I wish to 
say that I agree with their remarks with respect to the Advanced 
Technology Avionics Subsystems project.
  Mr. WARNER. I thank the Senator from Pennsylvania and the Senator 
from South Carolina.




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