118 STAT. 1828 PUBLIC LAW 108–375—OCT. 28, 2004 and UH–60 Black Hawk helicopters instead of light utility helicopters to meet such requirement. (7) The rationale for the procurement of cargo fixed wing aircraft. (8) The rationale for the initiation of a joint multi role helicopter program. (9) A description of the operational employment of the Army’s restructured aviation force. Subtitle C—Navy Programs SEC. 121. DDG–51 MODERNIZATION PROGRAM. (a) ACCELERATION OF MODERNIZATION PROGRAM.—The Sec retary of the Navy shall accelerate the program for in service mod ernization of the DDG–51 class of destroyers (in this section referred to as the ‘‘modernization program’’). (b) REPORT.—Not later than March 31, 2005, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the steps taken as of that date to carry out subsection (a). The report shall— (1) describe the elements of the modernization program; and (2) specify those elements of the modernization program that are expected to contribute to the goal of reducing the crew size of the DDG–51 class of destroyers by one third and explain the basis for those expectations. SEC. 122. REPEAL OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM FOR FLEXIBLE FUNDING OF CRUISER CONVERSIONS AND OVERHAULS. Section 126 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108–136; 117 Stat. 1410; 10 U.S.C. 7291 note) is repealed. SEC. 123. LHA(R) AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIP PROGRAM. (a) AUTHORIZATION OF SHIP.—The Secretary of the Navy is authorized to procure the first amphibious assault ship of the LHA(R) class, subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose. (b) AUTHORIZED AMOUNT.—Of the amount authorized to be appropriated under section 102(a)(3) for fiscal year 2005, $150,000,000 shall be available for the advance procurement and advance construction of components for the first amphibious assault ship of the LHA(R) class. The Secretary of the Navy may enter into a contract or contracts with the shipbuilder and other entities for the advance procurement and advance construction of those components. Subtitle D—Air Force Programs SEC. 131. PROHIBITION OF RETIREMENT OF KC–135E AIRCRAFT. The Secretary of the Air Force may not retire any KC–135E aircraft of the Air Force in fiscal year 2005. SEC. 132. PROHIBITION OF RETIREMENT OF F–117 AIRCRAFT. No F–117 aircraft in use by the Air Force during fiscal year 2004 may be retired during fiscal year 2005.
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