MULTIYEAR PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY FOR C–130J AIRCRAFT PROGRAM.

SEC. 131. MULTIYEAR PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY FOR C–130J AIRCRAFT PROGRAM. (a) Multiyear Authority.—Beginning with the fiscal year 2003 program year, the Secretary of the Air Force may, in accordance with section 2306b of title 10, United States Code, enter into a multiyear contract for procurement of up to 40 C–130J aircraft in the CC–130J configuration and up to 24 C–130J aircraft in the KC–130J configuration. Notwithstanding subsection (k) of such section, such a contract may be for a period of six program years. (b) Limitation.—The Secretary of the Air Force may not enter into a contract authorized by subsection (a) until—116 STAT. 2476 (1) testing of the CC–130J aircraft for qualification for use in assault operations has been completed by the Air Force Flight Test Center; and (2) Block 5.3 software upgrades have been installed on all C–130J and CC–130J aircraft in the inventory of the Air Force.