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LoBiondo Applauds House Passage of Funding for Critical Radar Updates for F-16s at 177th Fighter Wing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, today applauded House-passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act which included $40 million to upgrade radar systems of the nation’s F-16 fleet, including those stationed at the 177th Air National Guard Fighter Wing in Egg Harbor Township. The House passed the bill 316 to 113. The Senate is expected to take up the legislation that funds the entire federal government later today.

“Air National Guard units across the country are often tasked to do more to secure our homeland without being given the most current resources available. Congress recognizes the critical need to upgrade the F-16 fleet, including those at the 177th Fighter Wing, to detect and deter present-day threats. Today’s appropriation of the necessary funding will do just that,” said LoBiondo. “In past years I have had success in expanding the physical footprint and operational capabilities of the base. I will continue to work with the men and women at the 177th to ensure they have all the resources they need to successfully complete their vital homeland security mission.”

Included in the year-end spending bill is $40 million is appropriated for active electronically scanned array radar (AESA) systems to replace the existing 1970s technology. The new radar system will help to better detect the evolving threat picture, identify new potential threats that current technology cannot, and allow greater capabilities to the Air National Guard F-16 fleet for national security efforts. F-16 aircraft that perform the Aerospace Control Alert (ACA) mission are slated to receive the upgrades.

LoBiondo had secured language in the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that authorized the AESA radar upgrades. The NDAA was signed into law by President Obama in November.

Also included in the bill is $10.2 million in federal funding for the 177th Fighter Wing’s new Fuel Cell & Corrosion Hangar facility that will replace the two current inadequate buildings in a combined structure. The new facility would increase production capability while providing the ability to handle 5th generation F-16s. LoBiondo previously announced the funding in May when it first passed the House.