WASHINGTON - Chairman Turner (R-OH), of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, made the following statement on the hearing titled "Update on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program".
Opening Statement of Chairman Turner
Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
Chairman Turner (R-OH), of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, made the following statement on the hearing titled "Update on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program".
"The subcommittee meets today in open session to receive testimony on the current status of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.
This hearing continues the ongoing oversight activity conducted by the committee on the F-35 program since the program officially began in 2001.
We welcome our distinguished panel of witnesses: • Dr. Michael Gilmore, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation;
• Mr. Michael J. Sullivan, Director of Acquisition and Sourcing, Government Accountability Office;
• The Honorable Sean Stackley, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition; and,
• Lieutenant General Christopher C. Bogdan, F-35 Program Executive Officer.
I thank you all for your service and look forward to your testimony today.
The F-35 is a complex program. It's well known that during its development the F-35 program has experienced significant cost, schedule, and performance problems. Current acquisition costs are now approaching $400 billion, which according to GAO makes this DOD's most costly and ambitious acquisition program.
Over the last year, steady progress was achieved in development, production, and operations, but the subcommittee continues to have concerns regarding recent engine test failures and on software development and integration.
This committee, and in particular this subcommittee, has maintained vigilant oversight on the F-35 program through legislation, hearings, and briefings, and most recently a trip to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida to see F-35 operations and talk to F-35 pilots and maintenance personnel.
Last year, the committee required the Secretary of Defense to establish an independent team to review and assess the development of software and software integration for the F-35 program. The subcommittee may recommend a similar approach as a way to effectively review the most recent engine test failures.
I understand the substantial investment in the F-35 is more about the requirement for fifth generation tactical fighter capability than it is about the F-35 itself.
Based on the briefings and hearings held by this subcommittee, I have learned that fifth generation tactical fighter capability is essential for maintaining Air Dominance and national security.
Despite this critical need, that does not mean this program should be rubber stamped. As we have done in the past, the committee will hold this program accountable for cost, schedule, and performance.
The budget request for FY16 includes $1.8 billion for F-35 research, development, test and evaluation, and $8.7 billion for the procurement of 57 F-35s; and $410.2 million for spares. This represents an increase of 19 aircraft and is also a $2.5 billion increase in F-35 funding from FY15 enacted levels.
As we will hear today, both the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation and the GAO have concerns about the F-35 program for fiscal year 2016 and beyond."
