| “Every day we live under a continuing resolution is a day we do damage to our military.” - Mac Thornberry, Chairman, House Armed Services Committee
12 O'Clock High |
THE PROBLEM:
The committee received testimony from senior Navy and Marine Corps leaders this year that over 60 percent of the Navy's F-18s cannot fly and has a current shortfall of over 100 aircraft. General Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff, stated before the Committee this year that “we have become one of the smallest, oldest-equipped, and least ready forces across the full-spectrum of operations, in the Air Force’s history…”
WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY:
The CR prevents the acceleration of much needed 5th generation strike-fighter production and delays increased production of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.
WHAT WE COULD BE DOING:
The NDAA provides an additional $1.1 billion required to ramp up production to 56 F-35As per year to address strike fighter capability and capacity shortfalls. It includes an additional $1.3 billion to procure four additional F-35Bs and six additional F-35Cs to help accelerate needed 5th generation strike-fighter capability to the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. The NDAA provides an additional $739 million to procure 10 additional F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to support the Navy unfunded requirement and address shortfalls in Navy strike-fighter inventories.