Major Equipment, WHS

The Major Equipment, WHS line item in the Department of Defense (DoD) budget supports the procurement of critical equipment for the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS). The primary focus of this line item is to provide funding for the acquisition of Commercial Heavy Armored Vehicles (CHAVs), which are essential for the secure transportation of high-risk personnel within the Department of Defense. This program is managed under the Procurement, Defense-Wide appropriation, specifically within the Major Equipment budget activity.

The main objective of the program is to ensure the safety and security of Congressionally authorized DoD high-risk personnel, including individuals such as the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and visiting foreign dignitaries. CHAVs are designed to offer a high level of protection against a range of threats, supporting the continuity of government operations and enabling senior leaders to perform their duties under all conditions.

These vehicles are equipped with advanced communications systems and specialized law enforcement and emergency equipment. The integration of sensitive communications technology allows for federal interoperability, enabling secure and reliable communication between federal agencies during routine and emergency operations. Law enforcement and emergency equipment further enhance the vehicles' capability to respond to a variety of security scenarios, ensuring the protection of personnel in transit.

The budget request for this line item reflects the ongoing need to maintain and modernize the CHAV fleet. Funding supports the procurement of new vehicles as well as the upgrade and replacement of existing assets to address evolving security requirements. Investment in CHAVs is justified by the necessity to provide a secure transportation capability that meets current threat assessments and operational demands.

The FY 2024 actuals for this program were erroneously recorded under Budget Sub-Activity (BSA) 01 instead of the correct BSA 04. However, there is no substantive change to the program's scope or objectives as a result of this administrative correction. The program continues to be a critical enabler for the safe movement of DoD leadership and other designated individuals.

While the Major Equipment, WHS line item is relatively small in terms of total obligation authority, it plays a vital role in the broader security and operational continuity framework of the Department of Defense. The procurement of CHAVs ensures that the Department can fulfill its mission to protect key personnel and maintain effective command and control during both routine and crisis situations.