ALL IS RUNNING ACCORDING TO THE PLAN (... but what plan exactly ?
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"The committee notes that for the F–35 program’s international partners and foreign military sales customers who are participating in the program, the F–35 will become a cornerstone for future coalition operations. The committee believes that the F–35 will help to close a crucial capability gap that will enhance the strength of our security alliances. The committee, therefore, continues its strong support of this essential aircraft development and procurement program. "
"Accordingly, the committee strongly urges the Secretary of the Air Force and the Secretary of the Navy, in concert with the F–35 Joint Program Office, to
undertake the necessary actions to reduce F–35 sustainment costs. The committee believes that those actions should include, but not be limited to, addressing spare part shortages, addressing technical data requirements, accelerating both land- and sea-based intermediate maintenance capabilities, and modernization of the autonomic logistics information system.
Additionally, the committee believes that increased F–35 production rates and larger F–35 economies of scale could also help lower unit procurement and sustainment costs. Moreover, the committee also believes that advances in potential adversary aircraft and surface-to-air missile defense systems necessitate a combat fighter force with a higher percentage of fifth generation aircraft. Accordingly, the committee strongly encourages the Department to increase future F–35 production rates. "
Consistent with its support of the F–35 program and oversight responsibilities, the committee notes that at a hearing held by the House Committee on Armed Services’ Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces on March 7, 2018, the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force witnesses all expressed
a concern about the autonomic logistics information system (ALIS). The Air Force witness testified that the ALIS is currently labor-intensive for maintainers and support personnel,
negatively affecting flight line operations and workforce development. During a subcommittee visit to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in April 2018, subcommittee members met with Air Force F–35 maintenance personnel who reported that
they are still very disappointed in the autonomic logistics information system, and continue to have to use manual workarounds that take time and effort, resulting in
lower aircraft availability and mission capable rates. Given these ongoing problems, the committee will continue to conduct a detailed review of the ALIS program.
"The committee continues to believe that sustainment of the 281- aircraft A–10 fleet helps to meet Air Force fighter aircraft capacity requirements. The committee notes that A–10 force structure consists of five Air Reserve Component and four Active Duty squadrons, and that any fewer than nine squadrons will not meet future combatant commander demand for A–10 aircraft. Consequently, subsequent to the test and evaluation of the F–35A and A–10C required by section 134 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328), the Department should not take any action to reduce the number of A–10 squadrons. Accordingly, the committee believes the Department of the Air Force should accelerate the A–10 wing replacement program.
The committee notes that the F– 35 program uses a sole-source contract to procure F–35 canopy transparencies.
Section 151—Buy-to-Budget Acquisition of F–35 Aircraft This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense, subject to section 2308 of title 10, United States Code, to procure a higher quantity of F–35 aircraft than authorized by this Act if such additional procurement does not require additional funds.
The committee notes that the aircraft carrier air wing has been optimized for striking power and sortie generation and believes that it may not be configured to support the long-range strike required by current and future threat systems.
While the introduction of the F–35C will significantly expand stealth capabilities, the F–35C could require increased range to address necessary targets. The committee believes that several options could be used to address this issue to include developing a stealth tanker capability, improved engine technology or to develop and procure a strike capability that is purposely built to strike at increased range.
The committee further notes that the Navy previously desired to significantly increase the carrier air wing range with the development of the A–12 aircraft. The committee understands that the A–12 would have included a 5,000-pound internal carriage payload, stealth, and a range of 800 nautical miles. While the committee believes that requirements to support this capability remain relevant and the technology available, the development of the A–12 aircraft was mired in acquisition challenges that eventually resulted in the cancellation of the program. While the committee further believes that the Department of Defense has successfully developed a suite of long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, the committee also believes that it is vital that the Navy develop a carrier-based long-range strike capability. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a briefing to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Armed Services by January 25, 2019, on options to expand the strike range of a carrier air wing in a contested environment, including manned and unmanned capabilities, and, Department of the Navy capabilities it plans to pursue in
the Next Generation Air Dominance capability.
During a visit to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in April 2018, F–35A pilots briefed committee members that current training ranges are not equipped with the threat radars necessary to provide the most effective training for F–35 pilots, and the committee believes that the ARTS emitter programs should be accelerated.
While the SDD required flight test is now complete, the committee further notes that flight testing continues in support of phased capability improvements and modernization of the F–35 air system in an effort formerly known as block four and now known as continuous capability development and delivery (C2D2). The C2D2 program will provide timely, affordable incremental warfighting capability improvements to maintain joint air dominance against evolving threats to the United States and its allies. Section 224(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328) directed the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the congressional defense committees that contains the basic elements of an acquisition baseline for the F–35 block four program. However, the report delivered in January 2018 provided only an initial insight into the basic elements of the F–35 C2D2 program. The committee understands that a complete report is planned to be submitted in March 2019, and believes that the basic elements of an acquisition baseline are vital to the ability of the committee to conduct its oversight responsibilities of a significant F–35 modernization budget. Therefore, elsewhere in this Act, the committee recommends a provision that would limit the obligation of funds for the F–35 C2D2 program until the Secretary of Defense submits the complete report required by section 224(b) of Public Law 114–328. The committee also notes that in its annual report on the F–35 program, the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation assessed that the F–35 C2D2 schedule was not executable due to insufficient test resources, including an inadequate number of test aircraft configured to conduct C2D2 test flight activity. Accordingly, the committee believes the Department should procure an additional six new test aircraft, two in each of the F–35A, F–35B, and F–35C configuration, to support the C2D2 program so that capability improvements and modernization can be more rapidly developed and procured to meet evolving threats.
Section 215—Limitation on Availability of Funds for F–35 Continuous Capability Development and Delivery This section would limit the obligation or expenditure of 25 percent of the funds for the F–35 continuous capability development and delivery program until 15 days after the Secretary of Defense provides the congressional defense committees a detailed cost estimate and baseline schedule for the program. This section does not apply to any funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act for the development of F–35 dual capable aircraft capability.
Section 216—Limitation on Availability of Funds Pending Report on Agile Software Development and Software Operations This section would temporarily restrict funding for software development efforts that use agile development and operations methodology until the Secretary of the Air Force provides a report to the congressional defense committees that describes the cost-estimation tools, the types of contracts, and the mitigation efforts to avoid duplicative development related to the strategy for modernizing and upgrading existing software at worldwide Air Force Air Operations Centers.
Section 223—Report on Efforts of the Air Force to Mitigate Physiological Episodes Affecting Aircraft Crewmembers This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report to the congressional defense committees by March 1, 2019, on all efforts of the Air Force to reduce the occurrence of, and mitigate the risk posed by, physiological episodes affecting crewmembers of covered aircraft and would require the inclusion of certain elements in such report. In this section, the term ‘‘covered aircraft’’ would mean F–35A aircraft of the Air Force, T–6A aircraft of the Air Force, and any other aircraft of the Air Force as determined by the Secretary of the Air Force.
https://www.congress.gov/115/crpt/hrpt676/CRPT-115hrpt676.pdf