U.S. Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA), Chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, delivered the following opening remarks at a hearing on an update on the F-35 acquisition program.
Rep. Wittman's remarks as prepared for delivery:
I welcome everyone to our last subcommittee hearing of the year to receive an update on the F-35 program. Given that we started the 118th Congress with our first hearing on tactical fighter aircraft, it's very fitting that we finish this first session of the 118th Congress discussing what the Department notes as the "cornerstone" of its future tactical fighter aircraft fleet, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. I thank our witnesses for testifying this afternoon and look forward to your testimony.
As I've stated throughout this year, the National Defense Strategy is clear in its focus on China as our nation's pacing threat. And given the continuing provocative actions of the Chinese that we've all witnessed in the Pacific theater this year, it's critically important we continue to evaluate our military capabilities to ensure we're postured for robust deterrence, and when necessary, prosecute combat operations to overwhelmingly prevail against any aggressor that tests our nation's military resolve.
As I emphasized this past spring while reviewing the tactical fighter aircraft plans for each of our military services, two common threads were evident. First, our fighter force structure continues decreasing. And second, we are not able to deliver replacement aircraft at affordable prices to achieve similar quantities going forward. Meanwhile our adversaries continue out-pacing us--building and fielding their own lethal fighter capacity and capabilities.
As it relates to the F-35 program, this subcommittee has made clear our expectations in the oversight of key areas of this program. Technical Refresh – Three ("TR-3") hardware upgrades and Block 4 software capability development; air system and propulsion modernization; depot stand-up and supply chain maturation; operations and sustainment cost reduction; and, increasing the full mission capability rates above what the F-35 fleet is demonstrating today.
While program challenges and setbacks always seem to dominate this discussion, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge some of the F-35 program's successes from this past year. With the nearly $1.0 billion dollars in additional investment last year, propulsion system mission capability rates have increased and the non-mission capable rates of the aircraft due to power module removals has decreased. The program has brought on new foreign military sales customers expanding the worldwide capability and commonality for operations with partners and allies. And most recently, the F-35 Joint Program Office has moved at break-neck speed to support our closest partner and ally in the Middle East, Israel, by accelerating F-35 weapons capabilities and increasing spares supply rates in their fight against the atrocities committed by Hamas.
And now as I pivot to reviewing some of the program's continuing challenges, I want to unequivocally state up front that the F-35 will be the most advanced tactical fighter aircraft the U.S. has ever built. But our patience with program development is wearing thin. Once again, we're going to talk about prior planned schedules that have slipped and costs that have unexpectedly grown.
I want to focus on four issue areas today: First, TR-3 development and fielding challenges; Second, propulsion and thermal management systems modernization and requirements; Third, sustainment strategy planning given the recent setback regarding the Performance Based Logistics supply contract; and, Fourth, potential strategies related to the development and testing of software and mission systems capabilities.
My friends, the F-35 is a technological marvel but the delays in fielding required capabilities are disturbing. As the Department of Defense's largest acquisition program, I am committed to providing rigorous oversight to deliver required capability at a reasonable cost.
