House Armed Services Committe
Subcommittee Chairman Abercrombie's Opening Statement --May 02, 2007
"The subcommittee will come to order. This morning the Air and Land Forces Subcommittee meets to markup H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2008. I would like to thank the ranking member, Jim Saxton from New Jersey for his and his staff's help in putting this mark together.
"Before you is a summary of bill and report language related to programs of subcommittee jurisdiction within Titles I and II. Our proposed legislation for HR 1585 includes: Multi-year procurement for CH-47 aircraft and CH-47 upgrades and Multi-year procurement for Abrams Tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicle Upgrades.
"Proposed legislation would also restrict funding for the Joint Network Node, an internet-based voice, video, and data network, until certification is made with regard to compliance with DOD acquisition regulations, that a test plan has been approved, and that procurement of future lots are competed.
"The Joint Network Node was begun through supplemental appropriations bills as a near-term fix until the objective system, the warfighter information network, is fielded. Because of delays in the objective system, the program has mushroomed into a multi-billion dollar, sole source procurement program. Our proposed legislation would require that the Pentagon meet its own testing standards and transition the program to a competitive one.
"Funding for the Joint Cargo Aircraft would be restricted until reports on intra-theater airlift requirements are provided to the congressional defense committees.
"Legislative authority is recommended to allow the Air Force to retire C-5A aircraft. Congress restricted the Air Force from retiring C-5 aircraft, beginning in fiscal year 2004. The Air Force contends that the operating costs of the older C-5A aircraft make it beneficial to retire those aircraft and procure additional C-17s. The mark supports that position, but requires the Air Force to maintain a fleet of 299 strategic airlift aircraft. Given that the fleet is currently at 275 and the C-17 production rate is a little over one per month, C-5A retirement would take place over an extended period of time as new C-17s are produced.
"Legislation would limit the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Program entering into systems development and demonstration until technology maturity thresholds have been met.
"A legislative proposal is included that would require an independent test of combat helmet pad suspension systems. A June 2006 subcommittee hearing raised concerns regarding the level of protection provided by various service combat helmets. The subcommittee asked the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, to direct a standardized test be conducted of the Army and Marine Corps helmets. That test resulted in the Marine Corps transitioning to the Army's combat helmet pad suspension system. However, the lack of transparency in those tests and inability, due to time, to do user evaluations indicates further standardized testing is appropriate. This legislation would mandate that testing.
"A requirement is included in the mark for the Department of Defense to fund the competitive engine program for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Congress has supported this development since 1996. Cost pressures within the F-35 program last year led the Pentagon to terminate the competitive engine development. Congress mandated that the program continue. The Pentagon this year again proposed termination. The mark recognizes the potential benefits of a competitive program.
"Finally, legislation is included regarding the Future Combat Systems program. Conceptually, FCS uses a network of communications, sensors, and active protection to permit lighter, more maneuverable vehicles. Since FCS manned ground vehicle survivability is to a significant degree dependent on the assumed synergy provided by the communications and sensor network, there is a need to test this capability before the initiation of low-rate initial production of the FCS manned ground vehicles. This proposed legislation would require the Secretary of the Army to conduct a large scale, operationally realistic test of the Future Combat Systems' communications and sensor network prior to the initiation of low-rate initial production or full rate production of FCS manned ground vehicles.
"Major program adjustments recommended include:
- An additional $2.4 billion for 10 C-17 airlift aircraft, that are included in Title XV;
- An additional $2 billion as part of a total $4.1 committee increase for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected tactical vehicles, that will be funded in Title XV;
- An additional $500 million in procurement funding is provided for the National Guard and Reserve components to fund equipment shortfalls;
- An additional $294 million is provided for Stryker Combat Vehicles, offsetting a reduction of $228 million for the Stryker Mobile Gun System because of delays in that program;
- $480 million is authorized for a competitive engine program for the F-35. To fund this effort we have deleted the $230 million request for one aircraft and reduced F-35 research and development by $125 million each for the Navy and Air Force; and
- An additional $30 million is included for F-16 engine upgrades to improve Air National Guard aircraft, providing significantly increased thrust, improved durability, and reliability.
"A reduction of $867 million is recommended in the Future Combat Systems program to reduce concurrency of network and manned ground vehicle development, eliminate components that are redundant, and reduce program management costs. The FCS program has faced serious technology, cost, and schedule problems in the past. These issues, have been pointed out by this subcommittee in past years' bills. Unfortunately, most of these same program concerns exist today. What has changed over the last two years is the overall state of the Army -- the Active, Guard and Reserve. The Army is in trouble. It has a serious readiness problem and has massive unfunded bills for repairing equipment damaged in combat, adding more troops to its ranks, and finishing its modular force conversion.
"This situation requires dramatic action to prevent further decay of the Army over the next two years. The Guard alone has a $2 billion unfunded requirement, $500 million of which we have addressed. Even with the committee's recommended decrease, it is important to consider that the FCS program will still get $2.8 billion to move forward with most aspects of the program.
"A reduction of $470 million in the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Program is also recommended. The Army has issued a show cause letter to the contractor to demonstrate why the program should not be terminated. The first production option was to have been exercised last December. One of the four test aircraft crashed. No operational aircraft have been produced. The projected cost of the aircraft has doubled from $5.2 million to well over $10 million per aircraft. The mark recommends program termination and initiation of another competition for this capability. An additional $31 million, the Army's recommendation, is provided for modifications to the OH-58 aircraft, the aircraft the ARH is intended to replace.
"A total reduction of $760 million is recommended in the KC-X program, B-2 Radar Modernization, Tactical Operations Centers, the Combat Search and Rescue Helicopter, and Warfighter Information Network programs, for funds excess to requirements and higher priority requirements.
"Our mark reflects an objective of balancing the health and capability of the current force with the needs of future capabilities. I believe that this mark supports the priorities of the Committee.
"The chair will now recognize Mr. Saxton, the ranking member on the subcommittee for any opening remarks he would like to make."
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