Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1978

(Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 95-446)

Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act - =Title I: Procurement= - Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for fiscal year 1978 for the procurement of aircraft, missiles, naval vessels, tracked combat vehicles, torpedoes, and other weapons for the armed forces.

=Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation= - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1978 for military research, development, test, and evaluation for the armed forces and the defense agencies. Directs the Secretary of the Army to formulate a plan for the protection of certain combat vehicles against chemical and radiological agents.

=Title III: Active Forces= - Prescribes the authorized end strength for active duty personnel in the various components of the armed forces for fiscal year 1978.

Adjusts the pay of cadets and midshipmen.

=Title IV: Reserve Forces= - Prescribes the average strength for the Selected Reserve components of each of the armed forces. Provides for certain recruiting and reenlistment incentives.

=Title V: Civilian Personnel= - Prescribes the authorized end strength for civilian personnel within the Department of Defense. Authorizes the Secretary to increase the number of civilian personnel prescribed under this Act if such action is necessary in the national interest. Stipulates that such increase shall not exceed one and one-quarter percent of the level authorized under this Act.

=Title VI: Military Training Student Loads= - Prescribes the authorized average military training student load for the various components of the armed forces for fiscal year 1978.

=Title VII: Civil Defense= - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1978 to carry out the provisions of the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950 for programs of the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency.

=Title VIII: General Provisions= - Extends, to October 1, 1979, the authority for the President to transfer to Israel such aircraft as may be necessary to counteract past, present or future assistance furnished to other countries of the Middle East.

Prohibits the expenditure of appropriated funds for advertising the Special Discharge Review Program for certain individuals who served during the Vietnam era.

Reduces the authorized level of generals and admirals over a three year period beginning with fiscal year 1978. Reduces the number of authorized civilian employees in General Schedule grades GS-13 through GS-18.

Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress setting forth quantifiable and measurable material combat readiness requirements for U.S. armed forces and any projected changes in such requirements.

Amends the Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1976 to require the Secretary to report to Congress concerning the impact on U.S. force readiness of any foreign sale or transfer of defense articles exceeding $25,000,000 in value.