Hartzler Opening Statement at Hearing on Fy22 Rotary Wing Aviation Budget Request

Washington, DC, June 30, 2021
U.S. Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, delivered the following opening remarks at a hearing on the FY22 rotary wing aviation budget request.
Rep. Hartzler's remarks as prepared for delivery:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would also like to first thank our witnesses for being with us today.

I look forward to receiving an update on the status of each service's unique rotary wing aviation programs, and their plans for both the sustainment and modernization of their respective helicopter fleet capabilities.

I remain deeply concerned that the President's FY22 budget request does not adequately resource our national security, and further places military leadership in an untenable position of having to make impossible choices between near-term operational readiness, sustainment of enduring capabilities, and long-term modernization priorities.
Today's hearing will provide an opportunity for us to gain a better insight of how each service's rotary wing aviation fleets have been impacted by this budget and whether any major changes to sustaining programs or future equipping and modernizing strategies will result.
With shrinking budgets and shifting focus, it is critical that this subcommittee understand how each service views rotary wing aircraft fitting into their future modernization plans and what added capabilities will be required in multi-domain operations against a peer or near-peer challenge in the Indo-Pacific region.
I expect our witnesses to discuss what major sustainment, readiness, and management issues each service is facing as you adapt your rotary wing aviation portfolio to this new operational focus and what are you doing now to address these issues.
I am pleased to see that the Army is continuing to prioritize the development of a Future Vertical Lift capability as one of its top six modernization priorities. The Army is clearly leading the way on Future Vertical Lift, developing both the Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft and the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft at the same time. I look forward to a discussion on both the development status and future potential of this major modernization effort.
I also hope to hear how the Navy and Marine Corps are working with the Army and planning to capitalize on Army efforts and development in their own Future Vertical Lift programs.
Sustainment and modernization of existing rotary wing platforms is also critical. As we look toward the future of rotary wing aviation, we must not overlook the rotary wing aircraft currently playing a significant role in the missions and operations of our military services and our national guard today. Some of these units have been waiting for necessary aircraft upgrades and replacements for quite some time. Near to my heart, we have the Army's 1-135th Assault Helicopter Battalion at Whiteman Air Force Base, who is anxiously awaiting the arrival of its UH-60M Blackhawks to replace its aging UH-60L fleet in 2023.
And lastly, I expect each service to briefly discuss their current Aircraft Survivability Equipment projects and developments. Helicopters fly low and relatively slowly, rendering them especially vulnerable to enemy weapons. I want to reemphasize the Chairman's statement that our helicopter pilots, crews, and passengers deserve the best self-protection and safety systems available. This seems to be an area where jointness would be a no-brainer, leveraging research and investment projects in aircraft survivability and safety for the common benefit of all our warfighters.
I thank the Chairman for organizing this important and timely hearing before we mark up the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.