▶ 0:32:26Good afternoon. I'd like to thank the witnesses for being here today at today's hearing as we discuss the Air Force's fiscal year 2027 budget request. I look forward to hearing how this budget will get at the challenges of our increasingly complex security environment. I want to start by acknowledging the brave servicemen and women who are serving so honorably overseas to make the world a safer place for us all. I speak for everyone when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with them.
▶ 0:32:52One of my most important responsibilities as chairman of this subcommittee is ensuring that our airmen have the resources, training, and capabilities that maintain and grow our edge over our adversaries. Today's [snorts] discussion of fleet modernization, strategic deterrence, and emerging technologies will inform our work towards that goal as we head into the heart of this year's NDAA cycle.
▶ 0:33:14I also want to thank President Trump for his year this year's historic budget request, which will not only get our servicemen and women the tools they need to succeed, but also boost the ongoing revitalization of our defense industrial base. I want to focus uh today's hearing on the role of the bomber and mobility platforms that help us overcome the tyranny of distance and project American power across the furthest reaches of the globe.
▶ 0:33:39Our bomber fleet is the cornerstone of our strategic deterrent, and our mobility [snorts] platforms are the backbone of our operational effectiveness, allowing us to move personnel, equipment, and supplies around the world with unmatched efficiency. In today's constantly evolving threat environment, our adversaries are investing heavily in advanced capabilities as they try to close in on our lead. It is critical that we ensure that never happens.
▶ 0:34:05I look forward to hearing from our distinguished witnesses as we work to find solutions to ensure that our Air Force remains the best in the world. Now, I'd like to turn it over to my good friend, ranking member Joe Courtney, for any opening remarks that he may have. Thank you, and Mr. Courtney.
▶ 0:34:19Thank you, uh Mr. Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the witnesses uh for being here today. Um again, I have written remarks. I'm going to um just really summarize quick so cuz I know we want to get into the testimony and questions. Um you know, sometimes people think that this subcommittee uh only does ships and and things that float and the fact is a big part of our portfolio is the airlift um work that we're going to be discussing here today.
▶ 0:34:46And again, there there's just so many critical platforms, many of which are starting to get a little long in the tooth that, you know, I think is really um requires our urgent attention whether again, it's I think yeah, the average age of the fleet is about 64 years in terms of the air you know, some of the tanker fleet that's out there right now You know, we've got obviously a B-21 program that's now you know, going to be recapitalizing
▶ 0:35:16the bombers which Trent mentioned and and so that's obviously um again, one of these programs that, you know, we have to just go bigger, faster and and you know, make sure that we hit the requirements that are out there. I also want to talk about the VCS I have some questions about the VC-25B program which there is high public interest and we've had this has been an ongoing topic in this subcommittee not just over the last 2 years but frankly, going back to 20 17.
▶ 0:35:45Um so again, really appreciate, you know, the professional witnesses that we have here today. As I said, I'll ask my written remarks be entered for the record and yield back. Without objection. And and Mr. Courtney, I think I got some things out of order. The subcommittee will now come to order.
▶ 0:36:01I ask unanimous consent that the chair be authorized to declare recess at any time. Without objection, so ordered. With us today, we have Mr. William Bailey, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics and Lieutenant General Dave Tabor, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs. Mr. Bailey, since this is your first time in front of this committee, welcome. General Tabor, you are a frequent visit, so welcome back.
▶ 0:36:29I believe the witnesses have a joint statement prepared for us today, so you are recognized for 5 minutes for any opening remarks that you'd like to make. Uh Chairman Kelly, Ranking Member Courtney, and the distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for having us here today to provide testimony on the Department of the Air Force's projection forces, aviation programs, and capabilities.
▶ 0:36:54The FY27 budget request bolsters critical modernization efforts, such as the development of the future bomber fleet in the B-21, continuation of uninterrupted tanker recapitalization with the KC-46 program program extension, and recapitalization of our strategic airlift capabilities through the next-gen airlift program. I want to highlight on the KC-46 program for the moment.
▶ 0:37:18From Operation Absolute Resolve to Operation Epic Fury, the KC-46 has been in the fight for over the last several months, and has proven to be a critical enabler to the joint operations therein. Though it is performing admirably, the fleet still faces readiness challenges requiring daily heroics from the crews on the ground.
▶ 0:37:36To address those challenges, the Department of War and the Air Force have deliberately prioritized readiness initiatives within the FY27 President's Those efforts initiate reliability improvements, additional sparing, and other supportability projects. In parallel, the Air Force and Boeing have embarked on a KC-46 readiness improvement initiative, which repurposes five early build aircraft for near-term readiness improvements.
▶ 0:38:02It streamlines and accelerates retrofits for two of the remaining Cat 1 deficiencies, and puts focused effort into the fleet's primary readiness The combination of these two initiatives is expected to provide a near-term availability boost of approximately 6%, and provide a long-term aircraft availability increase of over 20% by The Air Force is moving rapidly to implement the Secretary of War's acquisition transformation imperatives.
▶ 0:38:30We appreciate the authorities provided by Congress in the FY26 NDAA and continued partnership as we work to transform acquisition into a true war-fighting function. Our focus is on mission outcomes with the guiding principle of ensuring every portfolio acquisition executive or PAE has the three things they need to succeed. The authority, the talent, and the resources.
▶ 0:38:55The Air Force is taking a phased approach on PAEs with the initial rollout of five portfolios that represent a cross-section of our most critical mission areas to pioneer and mature this new framework. And we're already seeing successes. We examined over 200 contracting authorities to identify areas for As a result, 85% of unrestricted contracting authorities have been delegated to the PAE level.
▶ 0:39:20And 100% of the business and contract clearance authority now sit with the Translating to real-world real-world impacts, the PAE for propulsion is currently developing a $16 million multiple award IDIQ contract that engages over 50 companies across the industrial base to rapidly solve operational and technological Because of that increased delegated authority, empowering the PAE to execute a contract ceiling that a far exceeds historical thresholds,
▶ 0:39:51the team is already reduced the time required to compete and award the contract by 40%. Now more than ever, the acquisition enterprise requires a highly specialized and agile workforce. We're working to ensure PAEs have the workforce they need to translate significant budget investments into Due to recent DOW policy changes on manpower and the use of hiring authorities, PAE weapons was able to bypass traditional and protracted hiring constraints to successfully onboard 69
▶ 0:40:21critical acquisition professionals just in the last month. Furthermore, these authorities have enabled our team to maintain a robust and agile talent pipeline. We are currently processing active personnel actions, we're executing rapid manpower realignments, and utilizing targeted incentive packages packages at a speed not seen before. We are examining ways to empower PAEs with the ability to make active tradeoffs between acquisition risk and operational risk.
▶ 0:40:48Reforms to the resourcing process include a realignment of and reduction in budget line items are critical to enable those tradeoffs. We will continue to work with Congress to ensure resourcing flexibilities are aligned with the appropriate transparency and oversight. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify.
▶ 0:41:06We look forward to working with the Congress, industry, and the communities that support us to ensure we maintain the necessary military advantage to secure our vital national interests and to support our allies and Thank you for your steadfast support and partnership as we deliver needed capabilities for the Air Force. Thank I now recognize myself 5 minutes for questions. Uh Mr. Bailey, I think your call sign is Elvis.
▶ 0:41:33So, the first question is, do you know whose district Elvis was born in and what town? I'd like to take that one for the record, sir. Well, I'll give you the answer. It's my district and it's Tupelo, Mississippi. So, thank you. Uh Mr.
▶ 0:41:50Bailey, the fiscal year 27 budget requests money for an advanced tanker systems program building on the work of the next generation air refueling Can you explore explain the differences between these two programs? Yes, sir. As we were as we were looking at um the work done uh in studying on that next generation of advanced systems.
▶ 0:42:17We did come to the conclusion that there is a greater need for us to take a look at what are those no-regret bets to place on aircraft survivability when it comes to large aircraft and large aircraft protection. Because we will have we will have tankers going forward, but we currently have hundreds of tankers. We have we have hundreds and hundreds of airlifters that also face those same style of threats.
▶ 0:42:42So what you're seeing in that ATS is a aircraft agnostic approach to And as we take a look as we take a look at what we're doing with the tanker fleet going forward, we didn't want to stop that work. And you'll so you'll see us continue again in that platform agnostic way in ways that we find things that we can extend to C-17s and 135s as well as what we do with tankers.
▶ 0:43:09And General Tiger, the recent KC-135 crash is a stark reminder of the risk our airmen face daily. Could you please detail for us the current state of connectivity and situational awareness capabilities of the KC-135 fleet? Yes, I thank you, Chairman. Um so kind of dovetailing on what uh Mr. Bailey talked about, I mean the ATS, we really are focused on connectivity across our entire fleet.
▶ 0:43:39Uh right now we have about a $105 million programmed in 2017, about 1.1 billion across the FY 18 to field about 315 hybrid SATCOM terminals, an additional 240 or so KU uh radar or a KU array kits for the KC-135 There's also been similar capabilities being installed on the KC-46s.
▶ 0:44:08specific to uh KC-135, we have vast majority of those connected now with Link 16, as well as the tactical data relays through the Arctic program. Uh we also have funding for Starshield and Adams.
▶ 0:44:27It's the Airlift Tanker Open Mission that will be added on here or is in the process of being added onto the KC-135 fleet to be complete over the course of the next about 4 years. Uh and then that the hybrid SATCOM will kind of lay in on top of that. So really over the course of about the next 6 years, you'll see the full fleet of KC-135s fully connected.
▶ 0:44:56I thank you and I now yield the balance of my time and I recognize Mr. Courtney. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um Mr. Bailey, as indicated, you know, the Air Force One program is definitely, as I said, something that this subcommittee has um been tracking and overseeing for a number of years.
▶ 0:45:15So um a year ago, Darlene Costello, your predecessor, testified before committee and kind of walked us through the delivery time for the new two Air Force One cohort that again was purchased from Boeing back in I believe it was 2017 or maybe 2018. Again, her testimony was that 2028 was sort of the new kind of target for delivery of those.
▶ 0:45:45Um and then obviously the the new plane that was purchased from is obviously was another topic that we discussed. So the the press reports are that the Qatar plane, which is just purchased about a year ago, is going to be delivered sometime in in July of 2026. is that true?
▶ 0:46:04How much did that work or how much did the retrofit of that plane And and where are we with the the real fleet that you know, we started that journey as I said in almost 10 years Yes, sir. Thank you for the question. Uh when it comes to the the bridge aircraft, our current expectation is that the aircraft modification will be less than $400 million.
▶ 0:46:29Uh Uh when we talk about um the VC-25B and the schedule there, uh right now the program is making good progress. Um we've had a chance to go through and work closely with the stakeholders as well as Boeing itself to get through uh some key aspects of the design. Uh we were able to close out a lot of those design questions in October of last year.
▶ 0:46:55uh the just a couple of months ago, we were able to settle the questions on airworthiness and a certification. And now we're in the process of generating those those uh um uh airworthiness certification uh So, we do believe at that point we are still on track with the previous schedule in terms of having it ready in Thank you.
▶ 0:47:18I Again, it's still kind of uh well, I guess the question is if a a plane that was purchased about a year ago was retrofitted and it's being delivered in 2026 for the President of the United States to you know, fly in um and we're still waiting for the two other planes which um have been going through you know, extensive retrofit as well. What what's the difference here? Why was one so much faster and cheaper? Is it is it not going to be really the same capability? Is that why it's a different uh production schedule?
▶ 0:47:48Um you know, as I said, we've been working on this for a long time and it just something seems a little out of sync. Yes, sir. It's it's a difficult to get into the specifics on the requirements in this kind of forum. Um I I do think as we look at um this and you'll you'll hear it in many different areas, too. Where we spend a lot of time getting very focused in on the user and the requirements and what the opportunity is.
▶ 0:48:16We look at opportunities where you'd say, "If we take a look at a schedule, you know, does the schedule actually benefit you where you'd be willing to make trades on on minor requirements?" Certainly not making trades on major Uh and and you're seeing the byproduct of a lot of that work, a lot of very focused work on what's the operational Uh but again, we can come back to you and talk to you in more detail in a classified forum.
▶ 0:48:38I mean, I think we deserve that, honestly, cuz the just the disparity in terms of the cost and the disparity in terms of schedule kind of screams out for um some answers in terms of just trying to make sure that the aircraft is going to be a capable of doing what it's supposed to do.
▶ 0:48:53Um and it it again, just from a sort of intuitive standpoint, it just seems like it something is different between these in in this program that um we really need to understand better um you know, what that difference is. Uh with the rest of my time, I just want to turn to General Tabor for a second to talk about the next generation airlift.
▶ 0:49:14I mean, the 17s, and 5s fly approximately 80 800 to 900 mobility sorties a day and it's getting old. Um can you talk again about what the Air Force next generation airlift efforts to um keep those that, you know, capability uh functioning? Yes, sir. This is a uh highly important to us. I'll tell you right up front, the good news is that we don't have any immediate concerns about the viability of any of our airlift fleet.
▶ 0:49:45However, acknowledging that uh the C-17s and C-5s, particularly, uh continue to get uh older. We know that they will need to be recapitalized here sooner than later. So, in the 27 uh budget we have uh earmarked uh actually pulled forward uh funding for an analysis of alternatives to kind of look at what the characteristics of uh future uh airlift platform might be. Uh so, we think we've uh we're we're getting ahead of it.
▶ 0:50:11Uh it's it's not something that we need to act on immediately, but we certainly need to uh uh be thinking about it so we can act on it before it becomes an emergency. I'll let you use some of my time so your time didn't expire. Uh I now recognize Dr. DesJarlais. Thank you, Chairman. Thank our uh to our witnesses. And uh channeling my inner Joe Wilson, I'm going to say that my son Ryan just got certified on the C-130, so I'll pass along that to to him.
▶ 0:50:39And but he was uh Naval Academy, went through TBS, so he's flies for Marines. But anyway, uh that'll be good news that uh better equipment's coming his way. Mr. Bailey, I noticed that you spent some time at Arnold Air Force Base in my district, and uh I know you understand how important our T R RDT&E uh funding is to ensure we stay ahead of our adversaries.
▶ 0:51:01I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage the continued and increased investment in our test infrastructure and the amazing work that comes out of the Air Force test community in Arnold Air Force Base. So, uh how can Congress and the Department continue to work together to increase the flexibility for construction, development, acquisition within our test infrastructure? Yeah, thank you, sir. And that was uh that was a special time.
▶ 0:51:24That is a that is a pretty amazing base with a great Uh when I think about when I think about those style of challenges, um you know Congress has has supported additional flexibility on a lot of the construction activity, which I think has been put to to good use.
▶ 0:51:43Uh when I think more towards the future, is probably in areas where we see limitations on our ability to test weapon systems um that are now consuming larger ranges, um greater pieces out of the electromagnetic spectrum.
▶ 0:51:59So, if we if we could work together on issues like or even areas like spectrum access, I even if it is to give us opportunities to um uh to assert some priority while we're doing critical testing. I think that'll that'll be helpful to us. moving on to drones, uh you know, they prove proven difficult to defeat despite costing a fraction of the interceptors that are required to stop them.
▶ 0:52:27Uh fixed ground radar cannot reliably detect persistent low-altitude Shahed drones. Uh what is the department the department doing in FY27 request to prioritize counter-drone defense, including airborne early warning platforms and legacy close-in weapon systems that can address drone threats without consuming high-end interceptors needed for ballistic missile defense? Yes, sir.
▶ 0:52:50The we are working uh the Air Force is working closely with the the Joint Task Force 401 on in their uh counter-drone mission, uh as well as as well as supporting the work being done as part of Golden Dome uh for some of those more advanced Uh I can tell you from working closely with that team, uh the Air Force's view has always been around the need that that would need to focus in on command and control. And very specifically, open architectures inside that command and control.
▶ 0:53:21We will see, as you noted, the the threat will pivot and it'll pivot quickly. So, your choice of sensors or sensing will need to keep pace with what that threat is doing. And then also, you mentioned effectors. Uh you know, shooting a a a million-dollar weapon at a a $4,000 drone just not make And so, you'll need to be able to to be agile there and keep pace with the threat.
▶ 0:53:45So, again, so we work closely with that that JADC2 1 and for our part, whether it's changes in the sensors or changes in the effectors, you're always going to want you're always going to want some stability in your command and control. Yes, sir.
▶ 0:53:59And with all due respect from our to our chairman from Tupelo, Mississippi, who may not agree with the KC-46 tanker placement, I've got a We are proud of our Tennessee Air National Guard members who will be receiving the KC-46 tanker at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, Tennessee. Are you expecting the cost and schedule delays to the KC-46 program to impact when units can expect the new platform to arrive and either one's welcome to take that.
▶ 0:54:28I'll take that. The short answer is no. We don't anticipate any kind of delays at this point. I think currently programmed for those aircraft to begin arriving in FY 31. So, barring anything happening between now and then, we should be on that path. Okay, but Did you have anything to add, Mr. Bailey? No, General Tabor has that timeline down. Okay. Well, the chairman has Elvis and we have the KC-46, so we're all good. I yield back.
▶ 0:55:00I'll just note that the refueling was created in Key Field by the Key brothers in Meridian, Mississippi, where is where those KC-46s should be, but that being said, I now recognize Mr. Norcross. Is that above or below the Mason-Dixon
▶ 0:55:183.9 billion. So, uh Thank you for the witnesses here today. Just want to follow up on the CV-25 The original cost projections, original, not 10 years ago, is 5 billion, Mr. Bailey. Do you have the figure on the current No, I No, I do I don't at the moment. Well, it was reported back then three.
▶ 0:55:48So, the point I'm making each of the ones that are being retrofitted or new are about a billion and a half plus. And we are years into it. So, the idea from the one that was gifted to our country from Qatari of taking 400 million trying to understand the difference between our existing and the Qatari there's a difference.
▶ 0:56:19Is that correct? Sir, I'd have to say in in terms of overall performance, it should be similar in performance.
▶ 0:56:31Not performance, in its operations, its Do they both, the Qatari and our existing too, have the same To my understanding, sir, actually, sir, we have a hard time having this conversation without
▶ 0:56:46I Yeah, we're we're going down the road. We're not going to cross that line. I got it. Uh I I'd say like in terms of its ability to transport it's the same airframe. Well, that's pretty vague. So, for what we're going to pay a million a billion and a half each, we just got one given to us that cost us 400 million.
▶ 0:57:06You see, the math doesn't really add up and we're not trying to put you in a position to say what it is, but they aren't the same capabilities to do what it has to do. Can the Qatari What are you calling the Qatari plane? What are you calling that?
▶ 0:57:22For the a bridge aircraft, sir.
▶ 0:57:23The bridge aircraft, let's make sure I put that. Will that be part of the mission to fly outside the continental United States? I'm not clear on that. Um I'm not clear on that, sir. The new Qatari, the bridge, will that be cleared? Will the president be able to fly that outside of the borders of the Continental United States?
▶ 0:57:48I'll have to take that uh for record, All right. This is getting more difficult than I thought. Let's switch over to something a little bit more pleasant, the KC-46. We've gone through a long and difficult highway, but from what I'm hearing, uh we are on the right path.
▶ 0:58:06So, General, Midnight Hammer, some of the uh capabilities of the KC-46, were there any issues during Midnight Hammer or the present conflict that's going on with KC-46 and its ability to do its mission? Not to my knowledge, Congressman. Okay. Uh and I assume that none of those have the the new uh vision system. I should know this.
▶ 0:58:34The yeah, the RVS 2.0. They do have them? They do not have RVS
▶ 0:58:41they're operating as they came out.
▶ 0:58:44That's correct.
▶ 0:58:44And we expect the first ones with the uh new system to be delivered when? So, RVS 2.0, the production cut-in will occur in the second quarter of FY28. Uh and so, that that's for the production aircraft. There'll be some uh retrofitting uh that begins prior to that.
▶ 0:59:08So, when do we expect the first, whether it's a retro or coming off the line, the new visual system to be operational in the first plane? Uh so, on track to start delivering early summer of '27.
▶ 0:59:25So, about a year from now.
▶ 0:59:26So, I'll just wrap this up. Even though it had some very serious we're seeing it operate in a way that has not been detrimental to our fleet or our flyers. Is that correct? That's absolutely correct. Good. I think that's important to know given where we came from. And with that, I'll yield back bouncing my time.
▶ 0:59:49I thank you, Mr. Norcross. I now recognize Dr. Jackson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you, Mr. Tabor and General for being here today. Appreciate your time. Um in our increasingly complex global environment, the Air Force remains the cornerstone of our ability to project power globally. Uh as the proud representative for Texas' 13th Congressional District, home to the incredible airmen at Sheppard Air Force Base, I've seen firsthand the dedication and investment required to maintain that edge every single day.
▶ 1:00:18As we ask our fleet to fly longer and further than ever before, I look forward to hearing how the Air Force's 2027 budget request, which rightly seeks a 26% increase in funding, will provide the investment necessary to support readiness at all levels from next generation platforms and fleet modernization to training, maintenance, and sustainment.
▶ 1:00:36Sheppard Air Force Base in my district is home to the 82nd Training Wing, which is responsible for training the maintainers who keep our fleet in the As the Air Force undertakes a generational modernization of its bomber Sorry, of its bomber, mobility, and special mission aircraft uh fleets, our maintenance training must evolve as General and Mr. Bailey both, what steps are being taken to invest the modernization to invest in the modernization of technical training?
▶ 1:01:02How are we ensuring that the training our maintainers receive today prepares them for the platforms and systems they will encounter on the flight line in the Uh Dr. Jackson, thank you for that question. Uh so, we're undertaking a quite a number of things to the tune of about $60 million a year at uh Sheppard. That includes classroom modernization, uh which is uh IT infrastructure.
▶ 1:01:27It's a digitizing the the current course augmented and virtual reality devices for students, connectivity throughout the dorms. So it's really kind of I think changed fundamentally from the way that we have done things in the past there. Thank you.
▶ 1:01:46And you know, also I would say that uh we we we've had some conversations in the past and talking about uh the uh um the ability for places like Shepard Air Force Base to acquire a little bit more for the students that they have as far as their funding not getting full credit to maintain their facilities based on the number of bodies that they actually have on base on a day-to-day so we're going to address that as well. Anything to add? Uh no, sir.
▶ 1:02:15We we've looked at other ways to modernize the materials that those trainers are using through commercial service solution offerings. Uh we expect to extend that to the maintenance community as well. Thank you. I appreciate it. one more question. Uh General, uh recently had a great visit down to Air Force Special Operations Command headquarters in Hurlburt Field where I had the opportunity to see the Air Force Special Operations fleet and witness the evolving missions the command is undertaking.
▶ 1:02:41Uh as the chairman of the subcommittee on intelligence and special operations, it's especially encouraging to have a leader with your background having commanded at the squadron group group and wing levels within the Air Force Special Operations Command as well as most recently as the commander of Special Operations Command Europe. Given your experience in our special operations forces uh fleet across a slate of critical soft commands, what's your assessment of the Air Force's sustainment of the Air Force Special Operations fleet?
▶ 1:03:08Are we providing enough support to keep these specialized platforms ready for the increased operational tempo that they face today and will face in the future? Yes, sir, we certainly are. I pulled some of the numbers here just recently. MC-130 rates currently at about 80%. just over 72%. That's about anywhere from a 10 to 15% higher than the rest of the fleet.
▶ 1:03:37So, AFSOC they have the benefit of a little bit smaller fleet and so I think they get a little bit more touch time perhaps than uh the rest of the the Air Force fleet does. So, they seem to be doing much better. That said, there are investments that we are currently making as specifically in mission computers for the C-130 fleet and that's Air Force-wide. But the AFSOC aircraft are being prioritized for that.
▶ 1:04:05And then on the V-22s, which I know you're also very interested in, the vector, the enhanced cockpit technology replacement, that's also something that uh we have funded here recently to the tune of about $200 million over the FYDP. So, my my assessment is that they're doing extraordinarily well in AFSOC right now. Thank you. And you know, I've been working with the SOCOM community, with SOCOM commander, and you know, pushing for the fact that I don't think that the SOCOM budget in general is where it's supposed to be.
▶ 1:04:34It should be much higher than it is right now. It's not really keeping up with inflation even. It's been flat for a long time and that translates into the Air Force special operations community as well. So, keep that in mind and I think we we need to provide the Air Force Special Operations Command with a little bit more in the process so that we make sure that we're not basically taking away from those that are that literally are on the tip of the spear. Thank you. I yield back. Gentlemen, I yield back. Now recognize Mr. Bergman. Thank you, Chairman.
▶ 1:05:03Thank you, gentlemen, for testifying today. So, Mr. Bailey, given the vulnerability of current tanker aircraft in contested airspace, what is the Air Force's timeline for fielding survivability and connectivity upgrades to the advanced tanker system and are those funding levels sufficient? Yes, sir. Thank you for the question. There are a couple of components that we consider in how do we improve the survivability.
▶ 1:05:31We talked a little bit earlier about uh uh how we're putting satellite communications and beyond line of sight communications into that fleet. Uh the tanker fleet. Uh it's going into 135s as well as KC-46s as well as C-17s as well as C-130s. Uh that situational awareness has has already yielded benefits uh in the 135 community as they were able they were able very recently to to get situational awareness and turn around and abort out of a high threat area.
▶ 1:06:01So, we've seen and Air Mobility Command's been very clear with us on the real value of of that situational awareness that the beyond line of sight comms can yield. What we're looking at now is uh is now when we talk about the rest of what goes uh survivability. And now we're talking about sensing and we're talking about countermeasure uh development as well.
▶ 1:06:22Uh we're shifting now from uh a lot of the um surface to air kinds of concerns like we did with LayerCom program and now looking at what happens uh at the waterline and above as we're looking at threats coming down below. Uh so there is work that is that can be transitioning uh within the FIDEP.
▶ 1:06:43We have investments that are in place both for uh both for the communications programs as well as that sensor and countermeasure uh countermeasure Uh so just to um dive a little deeper into that one. Obviously, we've seen um for for base defense issues the challenges that unmanned systems create and um the spider web operation in in Russia Ukraine but also in in our current Middle East conflict.
▶ 1:07:13So this is part of that component is that also like on the ground component counter UAS other investments in that. Yes sir as as we work with as we work with the JIAC 401 crowd we look at we look at ground base Active systems passive systems there and how do they network together based on a particular location.
▶ 1:07:41This is an area where geography matters the base layout matters and so you you know what's our opportunity to tailor that base by base combine that with command and control as well as in the end effectors that will allow us to go and engage those those that range of threats. General anything to add on that one?
▶ 1:08:01I I would just add that you know this is a very busy space right now for all the reasons that you highlight and we really are looking at it in kind of a layered perspective obviously here in the continental United States Golden Dome becomes a piece of that not everything but a piece of that and then as you neck it down and we have the extent systems that we have our counter small UAS detection system. And to Mr.
▶ 1:08:29Bailey's point you know what what we can do from the effector perspective in the CONUS is much different than what we can do overseas and so we're trying to around that out and that's where JIAC 401 and the work of the the dog comes in and developing new capabilities perhaps that we can use in the the United States but again reinforcing Mr.
▶ 1:08:54Bailey's point we're we're really focused on how do we internalize this and make it something that is much more permanent that we can continue to develop because it's sorely So, um on the unmanned system side and I got about a minute left here, but can you talk about the investments that the Air Force is making in the unmanned systems? I mean, the other services are are looking at the defensive component and offensive component.
▶ 1:09:19Um can you talk about what investments the Air Force is making in offensive unmanned systems?
▶ 1:09:25Yeah, well, so I would I'd be happy to give you the precise details on how much we have in the the SUADs for the record. What I'll tell you is that with the standup of JADC2, a sizable chunk of that money from OSW went to that organization to do this development on behalf of the the services and then we'll reach in there to to pull those things out, but I don't have the precise for how much they had.
▶ 1:09:55I'm happy to provide that though. Thank you. I'll yield back. Now recognize former chairman of this subcommittee, Mr. Wittman. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to thank our witnesses for joining us Uh General Tabor, I want to start out with you, but I do want to reach back into some history. It's been about 10 years ago where Mr. Bailey and I and at the time Colonel uh visited Palmdale to the Northrop Grumman facility there when the B-21 was in its infancy.
▶ 1:10:25And they were spinning up workforce and we were talking about all the things that were going on as the Air Force RCO and Northrop Grumman were working hand-in-hand, shoulder-to-shoulder and the initial uh elements of putting the aircraft manufacturing scheme together, also testing the aircraft, looking at the things that we would do.
▶ 1:10:44And uh the the thing that I remember most vividly from that was the the projection that we were going to go from a clean sheet paper design to a digital design. And call me skeptical. I thought, "Gosh, how are how are you going to do that? How are you going to get the workforce to do that?" And I was 100% wrong. That was a great success story in how to execute one of the most complex aircraft ever in human history. And here we are today with that aircraft.
▶ 1:11:14But I also want to go back historically and talk about the assumptions that were made about that aircraft and what capability would provide to the United States 10 years ago and where we are today and looking at what that aircraft can do in a highly contested environment where it's going to be key to have just that sort of capability, a capability that the Chinese do not have. A capability that we are going to need uh in instances where there is a a large-scale threat to the United States.
▶ 1:11:43So, my question is is the analysis at the time was that we needed about 100 of those aircraft. I would ask you today, based on what you know in the threat scenario today and what that aircraft brings to the table as far as capability to be able to operate in a highly contested environment in ways that provide significant challenges for the Chinese to counter, is that 100 aircraft estimate that over 10 years ago, is that assumption the same today?
▶ 1:12:14Should we be satisfied with 100 aircraft? Should that number be different? Higher? [snorts] Lower? Uh give us your your assessment about where we are today versus where we were 10 years ago with the assumptions about how many aircraft we need. Sir, that's a great topic and uh one that's being hotly debated in a lot of different corners right now.
▶ 1:12:35I'll tell you that the the Air Force position is that we need at least 100 B-21s, uh acknowledging that there are a lot of voices that would say that some say as many as 400, 300, 200. Uh my sense is that we do need more than 100. What I can't tell you is the precise number that it needs to be. But for all the excellent reasons that you pointed out, I mean, 100 is is the program of record that we stuck with.
▶ 1:13:04We're in the process of sharpening our pencils, really getting down to exactly what that is. And I think here in the next year, by the time we get to the 28 budget, we'll be able to give you a better answer, a much more precise answer, and show you our
▶ 1:13:20Yeah. Now, listen, I would encourage you, especially as the threat dynamic changes there, to to give us a more up-to-date number, cuz I think the capability that aircraft provides is pretty amazing, and I think it dovetails exactly in as we see the threat and the things that we need to to be able to to perform in that environment. Mr. Bailey, good to see you. I know that through the years we've had a chance to cross paths multiple times. I appreciate all the great work that you've done for the Air Force through the years.
▶ 1:13:49I wanted to to get your perspective on the KC-46 program. And obviously, that's another key as we look at uh operations like uh Operation Midnight Hammer. We had an opportunity to talk to the pilots there and the missions that they flew and and how they had to fly those missions and how refueling was a critical part of that. And how we have a fleet of aging aircraft.
▶ 1:14:16We saw, unfortunately, with the KC-135, a crash that occurred there. Uh so, the the challenges for us is how do we make sure that we have not just a fleet of newer aircraft for a whole variety of reasons, but then how do we make sure that we sustain that fleet?
▶ 1:14:33You know, the challenges with the OKC-135s is even with service life extensions and the things we have, when you have an an aircraft that is no longer going through a hot production line, uh sustainment becomes a challenge because you just don't have the spare parts and then you're into one-off production, which is prohibitively expensive and also takes down your your your readiness for those aircraft, the numbers that are ready to fly takes that down to a low level.
▶ 1:14:59Give me your perspective on how we can best look at sustainment model a different sustainment model for KC-46A. Yeah, thank you, sir, and it's good to see you again.
▶ 1:15:09Yeah. Uh the the tanker capability and the tanker capacity is is a vital aspect of what the Air Force brings to the joint fight, And you're absolutely right. As we take a look at the balance of the tanker fleet, uh we have to be in that recapitalization mode consistently now and and moving into that and moving into the future without a gap.
▶ 1:15:31Without a gap and that's frankly what our plan Uh and so as we're taking a look at as we're taking a look at bringing KC-46 we've put a premium on positioning ourselves for sustainment, supporting aircraft availability, in a very aggressive way for that reason.
▶ 1:15:51If we're going to bring it online and we're going to bring it online in numbers, we want to work with Boeing as well as as as well as the depot community to make sure we can we have the information we need in order to support it at a high In looking at the KC-135, the numbers there are good. Uh I think when we take a look at when we take a look at added capabilities, we had a chance to talk earlier about the addition of of beyond line of sight communications to modernize the aircraft.
▶ 1:16:20Outside of that, uh we we look at things like, "Hey, what are the next upcoming real painful DMS Uh you'll see us work on a new weather radar for the aircraft as being the next thing I think is going to start to be difficult to acquire in a timeline there, but we have we have investments. Very good. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My apologies. I yield back. No, both the two chairmen used the addition of my time that I tried to yield back, but I'm okay with that. They're former chairmen, they get that prerogative.
▶ 1:16:48With that, I now recognize the gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. Higgins. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Bailey, can I ask you about the B-52 modernization effort and give us your there? Do Do you have numbers in in front of you, sir? I I do.
▶ 1:17:06I'd like to see if yours match the the number of aircraft that we're modernizing and and what your cost per plane is projected to be and total cost of the modernization effort. Uh I I can provide you um program total cost.
▶ 1:17:25I I I don't have that in front of me right now, but what I can share with you for sure is uh when I when I got to this position last summer, I did look at the the uh the health and execution of those modernization programs. The B-52 is a significant capability. It represents half of our moderni- half of our tanker I'm sorry, bomber roadmap. Half of that roadmap.
▶ 1:17:51Uh from there, uh I met both with the program office as as well as Global Strike Command and finally with the companies in industry to get to the bottom of what's been going on on the program. I think you'll find that we have stabilized the cost and schedule.
▶ 1:18:08with with where you are right now?
▶ 1:18:10Yes, I am, sir. Okay, cuz that's that's my goal, you know, it's it's a crucial aircraft and the modernization of it is I could arguably the cornerstone of the the entire deterrence effort. Yeah. So, um it's a lot of money. Some of us watch that money very carefully, but on the other hand, we recognize some programs or have a in our minds a higher priority.
▶ 1:18:39To me, there's none higher than the modernization of that aircraft. So, we would rather see upfront request of money and an excellent plan on how to complete the work allow that that fleet to serve into the 2050s, which is the idea.
▶ 1:19:06Would rather see the the proper amount of money's authorized and appropriated than to see cost overruns. So, we're as as as a heavy lift that we're asking you to perform there. I'm glad to hear that you have confidence in the steps that have been to stabilize that program.
▶ 1:19:29General, I'm going to I'm going to ask you about the in without going too deep into it in this setting, with the drone incursion at Barksdale. While we're talking about I'm quite certain that you've been highly briefed and and reviewed what happened there and what didn't happen there. Is that correct? That is correct, sir.
▶ 1:19:54Okay. Are are you are you satisfied with the response to the incursion? do you believe that we know everything we should know? not to be mealy-mouthed with you, I'm satisfied with the way they responded given the resources that they have. I do not think that the resources that they have are sufficient for the future threats that we anticipate.
▶ 1:20:23Okay, agreed. And I I don't believe General, I don't believe you've ever said anything mealy-mouthed probably in your life. So, you certainly won't going to start So, here here's the the here's the question that no one seems to be able to answer about that incursion.
▶ 1:20:45And we agree, we have to do more to protect our our airfields, especially incredibly important airfields. We don't really know We don't we we're not sure I can't get a straight answer on on exactly what we to invest in to protect the airs above our airfields. Can you speak to that at all?
▶ 1:21:14So, what I'll tell you is that we're still in the process of a developing that. We have our program of record, which I've stated I don't think was sufficient, certainly not in the case that we saw at Barksdale. And we're trying to develop other capabilities through GIADA 401 that gives us a little bit more efficacy in a stateside scenario. Uh the it would be nice to be able to have a kinetic capability, but there are obvious policy problems.
▶ 1:21:42Uh but we're we're kind of working through that and looking at other options that perhaps are less Okay, perhaps we could visit more about that when we have a little more time regarding the protecting the skies above Barksdale. Mr. Mr. Chairman, I yield. I thank the gentleman. Uh General Tyber, I hate we couldn't have your special guest here today. I understand they have a track meet, and so we wish them the best.
▶ 1:22:10Uh what what events are they Uh today I think is a throwing day, so it's a it's a shot put and maybe the uh 100 m sprint. All right, well, my my kid was a cross country and 800 and 1600 3200 guy, but uh what a great sport. So, we hate they can't be there. We give them a shout-out and wish them their best All right, and Mr. Bailey, final answer now.
▶ 1:22:40This is Jeopardy. Okay, whose district is Elvis from and what town is he from? If I recall correctly, sir, that would be your district and it would be Tupelo. Very good, Elvis. All right, with that, this hearing is adjourned.