▶ 0:17:26The subcommittee will come to order. I ask unanimous consent that the chair be authorized to declare a recess at any time. Without objection, so ordered. Good afternoon. I want to thank everyone for being here today as we convene this important hearing to discuss the state of our United States Air Force, its modernization efforts, and the challenges it faces in an increasingly complex security environment.
▶ 0:17:51First and foremost, I want to express my deep appreciation for the men and women of the Air Force whose dedication and service continue to ensure our nation's air superiority. Their commitment to excellence is nothing short of extraordinary. As chairman, I believe it is our responsibility to ensure that our airmen have the resources, training, and capabilities needed to maintain that leading edge. Today's discussion will address key areas, including fleet modernization, emerging technologies, and strategic deterrence.
▶ 0:18:21I know the budget is not out, but I look forward to hearing the Air Force's priorities, and any struggles we can help with. I want to focus on the critical role of the bomber and mobility platforms. Our bomber fleet remains a cornerstone of strategic deterrence and modernization efforts must keep pace with evolving threats. Meanwhile, mobility platforms are the backbone of our operational effectiveness, allowing us to move personnel, equipment, and supplies with unmatched efficiency across the globe.
▶ 0:18:51The world is changing rapidly and adversaries are invested heavily in advanced capabilities that threaten our national security. It is imperative that we remain ahead of those threats by strengthening our operational capabilities, enhancing cyber security measures, and fostering innovation within the defense industry. I look forward to hearing from our distinguished witnesses, engaging in thoughtful discussion, and working together to find solutions that ensure the continued strength of our Air Force.
▶ 0:19:19I'd like to thank like in turn to turn it over to my friend, Ranking Member Uh, thank you. Um uh Mr. Chairman and and to the witnesses for uh being here today. Um you know, sometimes people think that the subcommittee is only focused on Navy issues, but the Projection Forces um mission is definitely very um central to to the work that we do.
▶ 0:19:42Um and again, over the years of the programs we're going to discuss here today, um you know, we've been very active both in terms of authorization language as well as oversight of those programs. Uh I I will say I think it's unfortunate that this uh hearing is happening without um an actual fiscal year 2026 uh budget request which normally is the the case when when this hearing is held.
▶ 0:20:06Um, and although Hask reconciliation bill included funds for projection forces programs, the bill was not specifically tied to FY 2026 budget, but was rather framed in a four-year timeline for obligation of funds and eight years for uh actual uh expenditure or execution of those funds.
▶ 0:20:26I would note that both chairs of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee over the weekend criticized the so-called skinny budget um document that came out in OM's attempt to roll reconciliation into the total defense request and their characterization of it as a one $1 trillion budget. As both Chairman Wicker and Rogers note, the actual 2026 baseline budget request is a cut when accounting for inflation. Just this morning, Mr.
▶ 0:20:54Rogers highlighted to Politico that pinning hopes on a defense boost via reconciliation is a re risky bet. Um, you know, the best way to to really uh handle this situation is just to make sure that the programs that we're going to discuss here today um like many other programs in the defense budget uh are actually included in the baseline 2026 um uh budget. And hopefully as NDAA um you know kicks off and and we get the full budget, that is going to be um the outcome.
▶ 0:21:22And again I would note that in the reconciliation bill um there many of the programs in projection forces were included but again with no timeline in terms of uh when they actually have to be uh executed and that's not what um you know our military needs right now.
▶ 0:21:39the the the need to get these platforms and these programs moving forward uh now in in FY26 um you know really I think um is is the reason why we really should heed uh the chair's um concerns uh that they expressed over the weekend.
▶ 0:21:56Again, uh KC 46A has been uh a big topic over the years in terms of um uh this uh subcommittee and again we want to again find out what's the latest in terms of Boeing's um upgrades u in terms of um again the the problems that they've been finally now um sort of focused on on fixing.
▶ 0:22:18Um you know again we also um uh want to know about the modernization of B-52 the B-21 programs uh progress and also Air Force One's um delivery date for the the two planes which again was mentioned uh in the testimony today. So again really appreciate the um witnesses for being here the chair for scheduling today's um uh hearing and with that I yield back. Thank you Mr. Courtourtney. I'd like to introduce our witnesses today.
▶ 0:22:44Lieutenant General Dave Taber, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, and Miss Darlene Costello, the acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. Let me take a moment of personal privilege to confirm a rumor that we've heard. Miss Miss Castello, you're retiring. I can confirm that. Yes. 36 years as a career DoD civilian. We would like to congratulate you.
▶ 0:23:13Thank you, Brian, your family, and of course, Bridget, on a distinguished career and best wishes for the future. I understand that you are doing two separate openings. General Taylor, you are recognized. Thank you, Chairman Kell, Ranking Member Courtney, and distinguished members of the subcommittee.
▶ 0:23:34I appreciate you inviting us here today to provide testimony on the importance of the Department of the Air Force's bomber, tanker, and airlift programs and their crucial roles in the defense of our nation. For over 75 years, the nation has trusted the Air Force to deliver capable, credible combat power and unique national capabilities that cannot be duplicated in the joint force to deter and prevail against any threat to our homeland and our interests.
▶ 0:24:00Our citizens, the joint force, our allies, and our partners have long held faith in the Department of the Air Force's ability to rapidly project power across the globe. Our adversaries also have faith in our ability, but they are determined to erode the advantages of American air power. For the past 25 years, they have watched and watched us and learned as we operated in relative permissive environments. They have identified perceived vulnerabilities.
▶ 0:24:26They've invested technologies and capabilities they believe will overcome and negate our warf fighting advantages. The fact that our adversaries doggedly pursue these aims demonstrates their respect for our competitive advantages. But the near shy of America's air and space forces dominating over any adversary has nevertheless become less certain and more qualified. Despite this challenge, the Air Force remains resolutely committed to meeting any challenge and defeating any foe that threatens a homeland.
▶ 0:24:54We are in an ongoing race to maintain technological superiority. Our adversaries know the joint force is dependent on strategic and tactical airlift to execute its wartime mission. We must mitigate the gains made by our adversaries through investments in survivable and sustainable tanker and airlift assets to ensure we continue to project American power well into the future.
▶ 0:25:16To that end, the Air Force will continue to pursue disruptive technologies, material advantages, survivable systems, and asymmetric capabilities to outpace potential adversaries while doggedly safeguarding our readiness responsibilities to the joint force. That means we must be ready both in the near and long term to project power, generate readiness, develop people, and develop capabilities that create dilemmas for adversaries while staying on the right side of the cost curve.
▶ 0:25:44We are grateful to for the support we have received from Congress in pursuit of these objectives and appreciate the continued partnership as we build a modernized, flexible, connected, and survivable future force. To project power, the Air Force must both deploy and sustain its capabilities when and where our adversaries threaten America's interests.
▶ 0:26:04To prevent our adversaries from eroding our ability to project power, the Air Force must pursue medium and long-term modernization to maintain resilience, survivability, and lethality in the near term and beyond. The Air Force must have a force that can protect American interest and be capable of disabling our adversaries ability to defend themselves. Maintaining outdated systems that can no longer meet this threshold criteria squanders taxpayer money as well as our airmen's time and talent.
▶ 0:26:33The Air Force must also generate readiness. This goes beyond a siloed resilience on a platform's functional readiness as a proxy for warfighting capability. Instead, our force design takes a comprehensive and integrated systems level focus on mission readiness. Our power to deter adversaries comes from our continued demonstrated ability to deliver air power anytime, anywhere.
▶ 0:26:57Investments in foundational accounts improve this readiness and their impact on the force's ability to de deliver air power to the joint joint force cannot be overstated. In addition to generating readiness, the Air Force must also continue developing its people. Developing people means cultivating airmen ready for war who are proficient with the latest equipment and systems. We will increase lethality and functionality through technology, training and development.
▶ 0:27:24The future fight will not be won simply by doing more of what we have been doing for the past 25 years. We have taken a hard look at where we have shortfalls, gaps, and vulnerabilities, as well as where our strengths lie to create an agile force design that can meet the threats of today and tomorrow. That also means we must continue to develop capabilities. The Air Force's fighter, bomber, tanker, and airlift programs create effects across the globe and the range of military operations that the joint force relies upon.
▶ 0:27:54The demand of global operations requires a critical mass of air refueling tankers and airlift platforms with connectivity, survivability, and agile capabilities and mission capable rates that meet combatant commander requirements. Our ability to achieve peace through strength requires a nuclear and conventional bomber force having a mix of penetrating and standoff capabilities that provides both lethality and sustainability against adversaries.
▶ 0:28:20Altogether, the Air Force will prioritize mission over function and systems over platforms to ensure that we continue to prove the right capabilities at the right time for the joint force. In closing, I want to thank you again for the opportunity to testify. I look forward to working with each of you to ensure the United States Air Force is equipped and prepared to meet our national security objectives.
▶ 0:28:42The Air Force is grateful for your steadfast leadership in helping us build the modernized combat ready force we need to meet the challenges presented by our adversaries. Thank you for your continued support of our airmen and their families. Thank you, General Taber, and Miss Castella, Chairman Kelly, Ranking Member Courtney, and distinguished members of the subcommittee. Thank you for having us here today to provide testimony on the Department of the Air Force's projection forces aviation programs and capabilities.
▶ 0:29:13The United States Air Force is critical to our national defense. The nation can no longer assume that future military operations will be conducted in uncontested airspace. Our adversaries also continue to innovate and aspire to exceed our capabilities. So, we must continue to evolve how we acquire war fighting capability that will enhance lethality in a future conflict. It is important that we invest in technologically superior capabilities to outmatch our adversaries.
▶ 0:29:42We're continuing our gradual transition from the current three bomber fleet to a two bomber fleet of next generation B-21s and modernized B-52s to provide nuclear and conventional global strike options. The B-21 program is flying, executing the flight test campaign and ground test campaign, and we are in low- rate initial production with lots one and two.
▶ 0:30:04The B-52 is undergoing the largest bomber modernization effort in history, the commercial engine replacement program is actively undergoing performance testing to ensure our path to fielding stays on track for the early 2030s. We are working with our critical partners in the depo to ensure our installation process minimizes downtime of our airborne deterrent. The B-52 radar modernization program is currently modifying the first two test aircraft and will begin their testing campaign within the next year.
▶ 0:30:34We're working closely with Global Strike Command and our test partners to ensure our capabilities are phased to field as quickly as possible. We are also directly contracting with Rathon to buy the radars, which will eliminate unnecessary additional cost. Other programs within the $20 billion B-52 modernization effort include communication suites, mission employment trainers, data links, crypto modernization, and other system improvements.
▶ 0:31:03Continuing to deliver refueling capability to the joint force is a priority for the Air Force. While our current tanker fleet remains effective, we are working to enhance the connectivity, survivability, and flexibility of tanker the tanker fleet to meet needs in the future fight. The Air Force is still determining its acquisition strategy for recapitalizing the aging tanker fleet. But in the meantime, we are prioritizing KC46A production and continuing to work with Boeing to resolve deficiencies.
▶ 0:31:32Since the discovery of cracks in the wing support structure, all 89 KC46 aircraft have been inspected. Cracks were identified on 21 total aircraft, and all but three have since been repaired. The program office, Boeing, and Air Mobility Command have identified the root cause, and we have begun the process to resume deliveries from Boeing, and the first delivery is expected to resume next week. While we continue to modernize and sustain our C5 and C17 fleets, they are aging rapidly.
▶ 0:32:03The first step in the recapapitalization of those fleets is to conduct the next generation airlift called ENAL, capabilities based assessment that is set to complete later this summer and will help determine the most appropriate solutions to fulfill future airlift requirements. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify.
▶ 0:32:23We look forward to working with Congress, industry, and the communities that support us to ensure we maintain the necessary military advantage to secure our vital national interest and support our allies and partners. Thank you for your steadfast support and partnership as we deliver the needed capability for our air force. Thank you. I thank the witnesses and I now recognize myself for questions.
▶ 0:32:47Uh, Miss Costello, this committee has been following the recapitalization of the KC135, sometimes called the bridge tanker. Can you update us on the Air plan? So, we are working, we are absolutely committed to recapitalizing that fleet and we're looking at all options in order to uh maintain a consistent uh recapitalization as the 135s go out of service.
▶ 0:33:14Uh we are extending our KC46 as we know from the 25 budget. We're going to take advantage of those that pricing. Uh we are also looking at what options are most affordable in the time between the completion of the KC46 contract and what future capabilities we need uh going forward. Thank you. Thank you.
▶ 0:33:36And uh Lieutenant General Taber, current law sets the minimum of total tankers at Does that number seem adequate to you, especially given the age and nature of the current fleet, or would more tankers better help deliver the necessary Uh, chairman, I think that that question depends on kinds of where you sit. I think it is a sufficient number at the end of the day, but arguably you could make a case for more. You could also make a case for less.
▶ 0:34:05The reality is is that we have never exceeded our capacity to provide tankers in uh in our history. uh but you can certainly imagine scenarios where you would you could need more. So it's something that we're very watchful for. It is certainly a hardline number for us that we intend to maintain over the long term. Thank you. And last question I'll ask of last month the B-52 radar modernization program has exceeded the significant threshold defined by the non mccertie amendment.
▶ 0:34:35Current estimates predict the program will not exceed the critical threshold given the challenge presented by our stagnating defense industrial base. Miss Castello, how confident are you in this assessment and why? Um I am I am pretty confident in this which is why we have decided you know to continue with the program. We believe we can find an affordable way forward to deliver the needed capability.
▶ 0:34:59We conducted an affordability review when we first got the information about the pricing coming in higher than we expected. Uh we've refined the requirements down to a min viable product of what global strike really needs this to do as opposed to possibly other items. That doesn't mean we can't bring in capability later, but for now we're focusing on getting this capability to the war fighter because it's needed. Uh we don't believe it's going to be a critical nun mccertie.
▶ 0:35:26We don't believe we're close to having a critical non mccertie, but we are beyond a significant threshold and we're working through the process to inform the Congress of that. And I just want to thank you one final time just uh thank you for your dedication to this nation and your service and your family service to this nation and we are a grateful nation to you. With that, I recognize my friend the ranking member Joe Courtney. Great. Thank you uh Mr.
▶ 0:35:50chairman and and again I want to join Trent in um again congratulating you on um you know big milestone in your life and look forward or you know wish you all the best in terms of uh you know the next chapter in your life for you and and your family. Again you've been an amazing um you know consistent source of information for uh Congress and and you know that we really appreciate uh your work.
▶ 0:36:13Um again as I mentioned at the outset the um remote vision system uh with the KC um 46 plane has been a project that again this subcommittee has participated in for a number of years.
▶ 0:36:27Um there's some reporting actually this week that um the final sort of uh you know completion of that work to again make um you know the the folks who actually have to do the hard work of you know locating um and and connecting the boom to the the planes they're fueling um is done safely. Can you is that is that story accurate that it's going to be another year delay in terms of completion?
▶ 0:37:04May I think your microphone? Yes. Can you hear me now? Yeah. Yeah. Uh Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo did provide an estimated date very recently that we're in the process of looking at and working with Boeing of how to bring to the left. It did coincide with the end of uh FY27. There's some assumptions baked into it that we're not sure are exactly appropriate and we're going to be looking at ways to bring that to the left. We are currently we have a fully uh RVS system in the lab.
▶ 0:37:34We are installing it currently on the first aircraft that started in April. The testing is planned to start later this year and all of that will inform us of staying on track. But as far as the the certification aspects which are part of what contributed to the moving it to the right we're looking at ways to bring that to the left even possibly looking at uh changing the this area where there's a FAA requirement and a military type we're early in that stage but we are focused and
▶ 0:38:04I've also I talked to Boeing weekly on this program and RVS specifically and at the highest levels of Boeing they are committed to bringing that to the left and working with their and and I think that's where we are at this moment. Thank you. Um I mean in the meantime some of those planes are flying but in sort of more limited capacity. Is that correct? Yes, we have capable aircraft out there. The KC46 are great tankers and when they get the full RVS 2.0 there there'll be nothing that compares to it. That's great.
▶ 0:38:34Thank you. Um uh General, after the tragic crash of the Ospreys off of the coast of Japan, um again they were grounded for quite a you know lengthy review period there. Um can you just sort of give what the status is as far as the air force is concerned in terms of full operational um activity? Yes sir. They're back flying now.
▶ 0:38:57In fact, I had a conversation uh with my friend Lieutenant General Connley, the ASOC commander just very recently. He told me that he has confidence in the platform. He's out flying it. Um we are continuing to make improvements based on that uh accident investigation or I should say safety investigation report. Uh so there is still a lot of confidence in the platform. All right. Thank you.
▶ 0:39:23Um and lastly, um the uh in your testimony, joint testimony, um there was a description of what going on, what's the latest with Air Force One, the VC um 25B new planes that uh were supposed to be delivered in 2024. Um what's the delivery date projection today? The recent estimate um that we've gotten from Boeing shows an a significant improvement in that date.
▶ 0:39:53Um we are looking at the requirements that are being potentially traded off to get to that date. And so I would not necessarily guarantee that date, but they're bring proposing to bring it into 27. If we can come to agreement on the requirements changes that get us to that point, that may be possible. But we believe some of those requirements may still need to be we're working with the White House on what's acceptable from a capability standpoint for uh those aircraft and we'll refine the date accordingly.
▶ 0:40:23Okay. And just so we're clear, so I mentioned you the original date was 2024, right? And then so uh when you say they're moving the date to 2027, I mean what where you're moving it from some other date. So maybe 2027 is an improvement over where Boeing was projecting that when they gave us their integrated schedule last last winter. So that would be now moved it up by a year to two years in their projection.
▶ 0:40:49Uh there are we've done a couple things on that program actively working to uh improve the production and the design completion. There have been Boeing and our program team is working very closely with the White House to look at every single requirement and how it's being uh derived into the design and what it's introducing. We've also relieved some of the security requirements the uh for construction for production facility for a period of time.
▶ 0:41:19It will not be a permanent uh relief but that has enabled Boeing to be more efficient and productive in assembling the aircraft and doing getting their mechanics to do the work. Uh but there we're down to a few remaining issues that we have to work through and we will hope to close that in the very near future and then we will have I believe a a better estimate on the schedule. Thank you. I yield back. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize Dr. Jackson for five minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 0:41:48Uh, thank you, Ranking Member Courtney, as well. Um, glad you had guys had this hearing today. Uh, I'd like to thank our guests for being here today and provide providing valuable insight into the state of our current Air Force programs and capabilities. Uh, the Air Force plays a vital role in protecting US interest both at home and abroad. As a proud as as the proud representative from Texas 13th Congressional District, the home to the great men and women of Shepherd Air Force Base, I know just how essential a strong Air Force is to our nation's defense.
▶ 0:42:14We must ensure that we fund the programs and capabilities necessary to deter and if necessary, win against our adversaries. Our nation's ability to generate air power starts with our capacity to develop highly qualified and capable pilots. That is why our allies and partners are so eager to join us at the EuroNATO jet pilot training program based at Shepard Air Force Base. But this training cannot happen without aircraft.
▶ 0:42:38I am increasingly concerned about the repeated delays of the T7 trainer and the impact this will have on our own force as well as our allies. Miss Castillo, where do we stand with the T7 program today? And from your perspective, what can be done to accelerate the program timeline given the ongoing pilot pilot training backlog and the shortage of qualified pilots?
▶ 0:42:59Uh T7 program is absolutely a priority for us and I would like to say that we highlight that we've made a lot of improvements working with Boeing since the beginning of this calendar year. uh at the most senior levels of Boeing, they've taken a strong interest in ways to improve and we worked with our our training com community to make sure we are meeting AETC's IOC requirement of November 27.
▶ 0:43:23There are a few accomplishments since we've seen a better partnership between Boeing and the Air Force in this case and the test community. We've now resolved the known GBT uh groundbased uh training system requirements. Uh we've resolved the stability concerns. We did that in March of this year and now we're working towards delivery tool by October of this year. The recent qualification sled test on the egress system demonstrated optimal performance. So it's showing good progress.
▶ 0:43:53The T7 sub vendor uh carbon return to work and jig load uh and that's targeted for August of this year. So we are pulling things to the left and showing continued progress towards flight test and milestone C is a priority uh in our and I know these are going to be rolled out in phases to different locations. Can you tell me like when do you expect that the pilots the the the trainees at Shepard Air Force Base will get them? Well, we're targeting IOC in November of 27.
▶ 0:44:22Uh I I'd have to I'll get back to you. I can happily get back to you with the exact days of the locations. Thank you. I'd much appreciate that. Um at the air at the Air and Space Force Association Warfare symposium earlier this year, Air Force Chief of Staff highlighted some of the alarming figures about the state of the Air Force inventory. In 1994, Air Force aircraft were 17 years old on average and the aircraft availability rate and metric shows whether the aircraft is available for its mission or not was at 73%.
▶ 0:44:50Uh in 2024, the average age has increased to 32 years and the availability dropped to 54%. This sharp decline is simply unacceptable for most of us and it has serious consequences for our readiness and our ability to deter our adversaries. Um, General, from your perspective on the air staff, what do you see as the primary cause of this decline and what is necessary to reverse this alarming trend? Thank you. We're equally concerned about this uh trend.
▶ 0:45:18I think it's caused by uh a number of different things. uh some of which are the uh uh the funding for uh weapon system sustainment uh across the board. We are doubling down on that uh trying to get as much money into the appropriate weapon systems as we can to increase that uh rate. I think the number is also skewed by some of the older platforms that we have in mass.
▶ 0:45:44A good example of that are the B-52s, which are undoubtedly old aircraft, but still very valuable aircraft uh to the point of uh why we are upgrading those. And so that that kind of tends to to pull the age a little bit further right on the bell curve than anybody would like. I think another factor is the inability to bring on new aircraft at the rate uh that we would like to do it.
▶ 0:46:11uh and uh an example of that would be the F-35s which we have not been able to uh on board uh at the rate that uh we had expected to. So there's a number of different factors that go in there. We're trying to throw the levers on the ones that we control and uh trying to work with industry to fix the others. Thank you, General. Uh and I'm open for any suggestions uh for me as a member of this committee to help expedite that. Thank you. And with that, I yield back. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman yields back.
▶ 0:46:37Miss Alfred, I understand you don't want to ask any questions, but we thank you for your participation and meeting earlier. So, I now recognize Mr. Gooden for five minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, General Taber, how are tanker basing decisions being aligned with great power competition priorities and will states like Texas be Uh so uh there's a strategic basing process that uh the air force follows uh and it takes into account a number of criteria which includes
▶ 0:47:08uh the mostly the ability of the bases to support the mission that's going in there whether that's tankers or anything else. uh and we're trying to be uh extraordinarily uh transparent with that process to lay out exactly how we go through what the criteria is, what the grading uh scales reveal. So absolutely uh uh bases wherever they may be will be equally considered until they're pulled off for one criteria or another.
▶ 0:47:37And along that line, are are we accounting for potential bomber force structure gaps as the B1's at DAS are retired and the B-21 ramps up? And if you can say will DAS remain a strategic hub in that So uh we are looking at the bomber force in in total uh and we're eager as anybody to get B21s as soon as possible.
▶ 0:48:03Uh so D of course with the B1s will remain viable uh until we start putting uh B21s there. I I don't see anything uh happening in the immediate future to disrupt that. Thank you. I yield back. Gentleman yields back. I now recognize Mr. Morland. Thank you, M. Chairman Kelly and Ranking Member Courtney. Thank you for holding this critical hearing discussing the Air Force power projection posture. Uh General, first question for you.
▶ 0:48:32Given the Air Force emphasis on detering China and sustaining long range bomber and tanker capabilities, what role does Guam play in future operational planning and dispersal strategies, particularly under the uh agile combat employment?
▶ 0:48:51So uh with your indulgence sir I mean it gets rapidly into kind of sensitive information in terms of operational planning but obviously Guam is central uh to everything that we do uh in the Pacific uh not only now but uh into the future. So we have a a great interest in its long-term viability. Thank you. Uh, next question for you.
▶ 0:49:15With the upcoming RE4 pack exercise aiming to test Air Force rapid deployment and agile combat employment capabilities across the Pacific, how does the Air Force plan to leverage Guam's strategic position to enhance these operations? Specifically, what investments are being considered to ensure that Guam's infrastructure can support the scale of and tempo of such large-scale exercise and potential realworld contingencies.
▶ 0:49:44So reforpack is really an exercise that we hope is going to stress our entire force. I mean that's kind of the design behind these exercises to really put everything under tension and to see where there are faults. Uh you rightfully point out that there are infrastructure issues in Guam particularly as we still try to recover from the effects of Mayoir.
▶ 0:50:06Uh so we're eager to see where those uh fractures are uh and to identify exactly where to uh to place funding, which is not to say we're waiting on that to uh invest in Guam. We certainly are continuing to invest, but we do rely on the exercise to help expose some of the areas that may need a little bit more attention than others. Appreciate that. I can tell your interest is there. Thank you.
▶ 0:50:31Uh, Miss Castello, as the Air Force expands its presence and operations on Guam, what is being done to coordinate with local government and communities to ensure shared infrastructure such as power, water, and emergency service is resilient and not overburdened during the crisis or high tempo operations.
▶ 0:50:53those those efforts that you speak of are handled by a lot of our Air Force other other offices, but our program office, of course, if they're working to put assets in that area, they'll be working with the communities. We always are reaching out to communities to make sure that we're aligned and understand where they might have issues and they understand our needs. Uh so I would say that that is what we're doing on a program standpoint.
▶ 0:51:18And then the the larger air force will of course for to support operations be reaching out to do that too. Thank you. Uh last question general. Given the um the tyranny of distance and high operational tempo in the Indoacific theater commercial air refueling can play a critical role in extending range and persistence for both training and real world operations.
▶ 0:51:43What steps is the air air force taking to integrate commercial air refueling capabilities into the major exercises like we're talking about the refor pack. So there is a a commercial uh air refueling contract that is uh let by the Navy that I know our operational entities have leveraged in the past uh to great effect. uh as a position in the air force, we are we are certainly not opposed to them leveraging that.
▶ 0:52:13That said, we are not actively uh funding uh additionally any commercial air refueling as we are trying to put all of our money into future air refueling capability of the Air Force, but we have no fundamental opposition to it. Thank you. Appreciate that. I and just on another note there, I know we having a change of command at our Anderson Air Force Base and I was able to get on the phone with the colonel, welcoming him and looking forward to meeting him. That's great.
▶ 0:52:41Uh, General Pollinsky is a long-term friend of mine who's an outgoing commander there. I know he's done a wonderful job and hates to leave. I appreciate that. Um, ma'am, congratulations on your retirement and thank you for your service. General, thank you for your service. I yield back. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Gentleman yields back. I now recognize Mr. Vinman for 5 minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to the witnesses for coming in today.
▶ 0:53:06So, um I have three military installations uh in my district, but uh no Air Force installations. I do have Space Force, which uh um is obviously we're a joint team. Um anyway, uh the Air Force has made uh plans to reoptimize for great power competition. Miss Costello, can you describe to me any impacts to the Air Force's um Air Force projection forces portfolio based on that?
▶ 0:53:36Um what we were doing to optimize our force uh what we our programs of record in the projection forces are completely aligned with where we're going. The alignment is really to better prepare ourselves for the fight that we have in the future. And so we prioritize our programs. uh the ones that we've talked about today, our tankers are really important, our bombers are very important. Um these are our li airlift are are critical for those operations and so they are completely aligned with our optimization that was going on.
▶ 0:54:07What about can you talk a little bit about the manned unmanned aspects of that? Well, we're always looking for opportunities uh to leverage that. Uh most of our programs of record are manned programs in the aircraft.
▶ 0:54:21uh but we're always looking for opportunities as we go forward in the future to leverage uh autonomy to leverage unmanned assets and that will continue to be looked at every time we do an AOA or any sort of an assessment and our labs are working on technology to assist in that area too.
▶ 0:54:39And so, um, as you're looking at that, uh, sort of manned, unmanned mix, um, how, um, how are, how does your your um, looking at that for the next fight, especially in the in the Pacific? I with your permission, I think I can answer that.
▶ 0:54:58Uh this is a a a relatively new answer or new area for us to be exploring and it's really taken the form of uh our work with a collaborative combat aircraft and the experimental operations unit that we are doing exactly what you're getting at Congressman and exploring how do these uh manned unmanned teeming uh events unfold? How do you employ them?
▶ 0:55:22what are the tactics, techniques and procedures uh as well as the the ground support and logistics necessary to tie that together. Uh it's brand new. So uh I mean it's a rich environment for us to learn. Uh but that is progressing at pace again aligned with the CCA uh work that we're doing and obviously Ukraine is not a particularly like air force centric fight.
▶ 0:55:46uh but are there any lessons that you're taking from the the use of an unmanned systems and and what the denied uh aerial environment? Yeah, I I think that uh the Air Force is very much interested in everything that's going on uh in and around Ukraine.
▶ 0:56:02I mean I think that what they have done uh to rapidly incorporate lessons learned and turn those into technology that is uh on the scale of days and weeks not months and years uh is amazing and it's really a model for how we would like uh to do things how the entire DoD would like to do things. So very much at the forefront of our of our mind what's going on there. Yeah that's really good to hear. Can you provide an update on the bomber road map?
▶ 0:56:30So, uh, uh, as Miss Costello alluded to, B21s are are proceeding at base. Really proud of that program. Uh, simultaneously, we're in the upgrade program for B-52s as they get new radar as well as new engines, and that will constitute uh, our bomber force. Uh, that said, we're still providing upgrades to the B1 and the B2 in a number of different ways so they remain viable uh, for the future.
▶ 0:56:58And we see that kind of seamlessly blending together to maintain the strategic capability uh as well as the conventional capability that the nation needs. Uh I don't know if Miss Costello has anything to add to that. You described the road map very well. Okay. Thank you.
▶ 0:57:16Um so I got about 45 seconds which is not a huge amount of time but uh the seaf has prioritized China's DoD's number one pacing challenge and has called for the development of a new operational con for new operational concepts capabilities and plans to bolster deterrence and maintain its competitive advant advantage. What can we expect to see in um the rest of this year in FY 2627 in 22 seconds?
▶ 0:57:41So uh it's it's premature to talk about what may come in 26 but I think it's safe to say that you can see a continuation of the things that we have been talking about already and the things that we had programmed uh in 25 uh specifically looking at infrastructure in the Indoacific uh arena as well as all of these upgrades to the tanker and bomber and airlift fleets. Thank you both. I yield back. Gentleman's time's expired.
▶ 0:58:11Now recognize Mr. Higgins. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Miss Costello, my goodness, over 30 years in service. It occurs to me, good lady, that you must have begun at a very, very young age. You are very kind. And I am certain that your family looks forward to your constant presence. My mother used to say there's a good book in all of us if we'll sit down and write it. And I'm sure you have an interesting book to write.
▶ 0:58:40So, thank you for your service, ma'am. I'm going to have a question for you both in a moment. But, General, um, thank you, sir, for being here. My office was recently boost on the ground with at Barksdale Air Force Base at the second bomb wing, and we were very impressed with leadership and chain of Uh what that team is doing to keep the B-52 flying is impressive,
▶ 0:59:11including a publicly announced flight from Barksdale to the edge of the East China Sea and then back to Louisiana. Those those those airmen are doing excellent work and they let me say respectfully and this gets to my question to you generally they're doing excellent work despite uh some significant challenges with the with facilities and maintenance facilities.
▶ 0:59:40So, let me just ask um can I be assured that the Air Force command is is aware of the of the uh challenges that that those men are working around every day, no problem. But the chain of command should be aware and address their their needs for facility enhancement and modernization. Can I be assured that you're on top of that, sir? Yes, sir.
▶ 1:00:09We are absolutely on top of it and uh it's it's not just at Barksdale Air Force Base. I mean it's at many uh locations. Oh yes sir. And uh as I mentioned to uh Representative Jackson I mean we are dedicated not only to appropriately funding our weapon system sustainment but to your point the facility sustainment restoration and modernization funds that need to go into really I mean literally the foundation of our air force.
▶ 1:00:36I mean, it doesn't do any good to have magnificent aircraft and magnificent airmen out there if the foundation is literally crumbling. So, it is very much at the top of our list of priorities and we're getting after that. Yes, sir. Thank you for that answer and respectfully, we we certainly are united in both sides of the aisle to to assist with that effort. Um, let me shift to General and Miss Costello.
▶ 1:01:04question regarding the C17 and as a a workhorse aircraft of air command the the fleet was challenged after the evacuation of Afghanistan and um there's a great deal of discussion amongst uh my colleagues especially on the House Armed Services Committee but more broadly across Ross Congress
▶ 1:01:35and indeed the nation regarding potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific theater. And of course we we endeavor to mitigate against that and and primarily by by fielding uh indomitable projection power and we stand aligned again with that mission.
▶ 1:02:00the C17 should there be an endoacific uh conflict, certainly they would bear the brunt of of uh transporting war fighters and and men equipment in and out of theater and there's not a replacement u that that I'm aware of planned for the C17.
▶ 1:02:27So, I would ask you to address if you could uh what are the plans for dealing with the C17? I'll take it first. And I know that Miss Castello has a little bit of this, too, but uh sir, you're speaking our language. Uh this is an issue. Fortunately, it's not an emergency issue for us right now, but it will become one if we don't act.
▶ 1:02:51And so to that end, we have started a capabilities-based uh assessment that we should be getting the report on this summer that will kind of guide us in terms of what the next generation of airlifter looks like. You're absolutely right. The C17 is a workhorse. The C5 as well, uh, and I think people tend to believe that the C7 is relatively new. The C17 came into service before I came into service. I mean, it's it's a fairly old aircraft. It's doing great.
▶ 1:03:20uh and it still has many many years in front of it. Respectful of of of time, but we could expect a report this summer. We will have the capabilities based assessment report this summer. Yes, sir. Thank you, General. Mr. Chairman, my time is expired, but I would ask indulgence to allow Miss Costella to respond. If she can take that for the record, the gentleman's time's expired. I now recognize Mr. Whitesides. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, thank you both for being here.
▶ 1:03:47Um, I'm proud to represent Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, where the most advanced strategic aircraft in the world is being developed and assembled, the B-21 Raider. As I uh discussed last month with the leaders of our strategic forces, the B-21 is distinctive not just for its capabilities, but for its ontime and underbudget performance. U today, I'd like to ask you uh just a couple questions.
▶ 1:04:10The first is um can you discuss how the lessons learned by the success of the B-21 acquisition arc um and how those lessons might be applied to other DoD acquisition programs? I'd be happy to. Um the B21 program was had a realistic schedule and a realistic budget when it was started and the requirements have been stable and have not been changing. Those are three key elements for a successful program.
▶ 1:04:39um and we've properly funded it along the way. Um that combined with having a a very strong professional team managing it and a good partnership with industry uh has served that program well. We use the RCO construct that has been used for B-21 to look at other programs and see where we can get closer to that. And I'll even say in the executive order where we're looking at acquisition reform, it's held up as one of those models that we want to make sure that we are aligned with where possible.
▶ 1:05:09So those those are the good practice in acquisition and they're following that model which is partly why they're working. So thank you. Uh Congress is consider is currently considering fiscal year 2026's Department of Defense budget and just last week the White House released the uh the so-called skinny budget. That proposal assumes the passage of some increased funding for the B-21 program.
▶ 1:05:33Um, Miss Costello or or uh, General, uh, leaving aside some other challenges with the budget, what would the additional funding for the B-21 program enable the Air Force to do and why is that important for our national security? I I'll start if that's okay. Uh I I think that there are as good as the program is, there are still little pockets of uh support where uh additional funding is needed.
▶ 1:05:58Uh we're very eager to see exactly how that is broken out uh and where we'll have the flexibility to uh kind of plug some of those holes and potentially accelerate uh some of the long lead time items uh to ensure that things stay on track.
▶ 1:06:15And I would say while not necessarily what what funding may be used for, that is a program that's also looking forward always to see what's coming around the corner and teeing up those requirements so we stay ahead of the need for when there's diminishing sources or we have long lead material. So that's just another example of good acquisition. Thank you both and thank you Miss Costello for your service to the country. I yield back, Mr. Chairman. Gentleman yields back. Now recognize the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Bergman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:06:45And uh um based upon your testimony today and the questions asked, I would suggest to you, I was talking to the chairman, and we probably have an opportunity here at a future date to go into a classified setting to talk about surge readiness of of your fleet. Uh because we can do all the programming and planning we want, but if we don't have a capability, we may not be as ready as we need to be.
▶ 1:07:12So, I appreciate you for thinking, you know, entertaining that, Mr. Chairman, that we could do that in a future time. We absolutely are already got it noted. Great. So, uh, uh, General Taber, uh, as the Air Force continues to balance modernization with current operational demands, how are you accounting for the KC46's ongoing deficiencies in your force planning and programming assumptions for meeting the tanker availability and readiness
▶ 1:07:42rates across the combatant commands? That sounds like a run-on sentence, but bottom line is, you know what I'm talking about. It's about how are you accounting for all this so there's a minimum of surprises. Sir, you hit right at the heart of uh kind of what we deal with every day in my office and that is the tension between modernization and sustainment of uh the capabilities that uh we currently have.
▶ 1:08:05Uh the fortunate case uh for uh the tanker portfolio is that the KC135 as old as it is is still a very robust and uh capable aircraft. And so it's not threatening to uh quit on us. For sure. It's going to require continued uh uh care and feeding to get it uh through uh as long as we think it might be necessary to recap the entire fleet.
▶ 1:08:31Uh but uh we're focused on the KC46 resolving those conflicts and bringing those on as rapidly as possible as uh Miss Costello mentioned earlier. Okay. Thank you. Uh, Miss Costello again, everybody's congratulated you. Any concerns about the next steps? Oh, of course. Well, good. Let's go have a beer or a cup of coffee or some whatever you uh I do political therapy here on the side.
▶ 1:08:58So, but anyway, having survived the Pentagon, you you definitely have a very bright future. So, congratulations on all you've accomplished. Um, Miss Costello, the hearing memo notes that the B-52 radar modernization program exceeded the significant non-mccertie threshold in April with a unit cost of over 17, you know, percent.
▶ 1:09:20Uh, what were the primary drivers of the breach and how is the Air Force acquisition community mitigating further risk to ensure that the this critical modernization effort stays on uh there was there are a lot of things that contribute to a cost estimate and the estimate uh that we had put together compared to the proposal that came in had different assumptions uh baked in that. So that contributed a lot to the growth.
▶ 1:09:50We have worked and done an affordability review where we looked at the requirements. We looked at the trade space. We created the minimum viable product uh that would be acceptable for global strike command and the use of uh the platform with that radar on it. And therefore we've come down to the what is a significant non-mccertie threshold number from the critical that took a lot of work.
▶ 1:10:13It was requirements, people looking at what they can do and also making sure we and industry understand the same version of what needs to be done in order to have confidence in those numbers that we're talking about. Okay. Thank you. And and finally, Miss Costello, acquisition or reform remains a top priority for for this committee.
▶ 1:10:32Based on your experience overseeing major air force programs, uh what specific reforms or authorities would you recommend to improve speed, accountability, and resilience in the acquisition process? Now, again, that's that's a lot of data there. If you'd prefer to take it for the record and and give us a written response, that would be helpful because then we can take that and deal with it.
▶ 1:10:56But if you'd like to make a topline comment here of a, you know, of a top one or two, I definitely want to take it for the record because I could write a thesis on it and I would love to provide my input. Um, one thing that would be helpful, um, but it's complicated in how to implement it is increase flexible funding.
▶ 1:11:14That doesn't mean a colorless pot of money, but ways to have more flexibility once the budget is set or as we head towards the budget being set so that we can execute within the paradigm that we're going to set for a program or a portfolio or however we're going to manage it. Uh sometimes the actions to move money take a long time. There's reasons for that and they have to be well understood, but that's an area that I think is ripe for partnership and conversation. Great.
▶ 1:11:40Uh again, thank you again for your your decades of outstanding service and I yield back. Gentleman yods back. Now recognize Mr. Duzio. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh Miss Castello, I will add my congratulations. I'm a Navy guy, so I say fair wins and following seas. It's the proper sendoff. Uh both you and General Castello or General Taber, excuse me, Miss Castello, General Taber, thank you.
▶ 1:12:04Um, my district proud to have the 171st Air Fueling Wing operating the KC-135 911th uh, operating C17 units are in the Guard and Reserve respective respectively. Uh, of course think they're both really important assets to the Air Force's mission and what the country expects of the Air Force. Have some questions about the future plans for the air air force. Picking up on some of the back and forth with General Bergman on the KC35. Um, what are the plans for guard units operating KC135s?
▶ 1:12:33Um I understand general from your testimony more broadly the the the platform is expected to be around at least until 2050. Um but what can you tell me and is there any distinction on the guard side of things? Uh thank you. There's there's no distinction uh in our eyes between a guard unit, active duty and a reserve unit. I mean, generally speaking, uh, KC135s will be recapitalized, uh, in the near- term by KC46s, in the long term by something else.
▶ 1:13:03Um, but the KC135 has a lot of legs left in it. Uh, so I don't think that there's anything on the immediate horizon that impacts Pittsburgh. So on the or something else or next generation air refueling system, what what can you tell me? What does the Air Force think? Um, and what kind of timeline are we talking about here? I'll open up and then pass to uh, Miss Costello. Uh, we're in kind of the early stages, but I mean the world's kind of our oyster, right?
▶ 1:13:34I we're looking at an analysis of alternatives uh that could be anything from a large body uh air refueler similar to uh things that we have right now down to smaller types of uh you know higher speed uh air refueling capabilities or anything in between.
▶ 1:13:53Uh so it's a it's a big uh project to undertake and try to winnow that down into something that makes sense for war I would add that we're also looking at capabilities that would make a difference as we go forward that could be retrofit back on our existing tankers also and the KC46 that's going to about be out there even longer than the 135s. So that's really important to make sure that the entire fleet has the capability that it needs as part of our future tanker force.
▶ 1:14:24Thank you. Uh my last note and I I mentioned the C17s. Um the 911 in my unit or in my district operates. Um report I'm sure you know about some of the problems with contracting and some price gouging we saw on everything from soap dispensers to other components there. I'm very worried about that. Uh, I don't have a question, but I just remind all of us that this is a problem to protect the public money and to make sure that money is being spent wisely to give our airmen and everyone else who wears a uniform the stuff they need on time and on budget.
▶ 1:14:54Uh, and with that, I'll yield back, Mr. Chairman. Gentleman yields back. Now, Mr. Higgins, I will allow you your extra time, Miss Costella, before we close this hearing to reask the question so she will remember it. Oh, you're very kind, Mr. Chairman. Miss Costello, I was asking uh I believe you had commented in your in your statement was not in your written statement. What do you see for the C17 replacement C5 replacement?
▶ 1:15:20So we are conducting the capability based assessment right now to look at all the things that we are looking needing to replace in the future and the timelines. When that is complete, we'll be that's the first step for starting any sort of a new effort and a program. So we're in the early stages. that's expected to be completed this year and then we'll look at how to shape the solutions that are being teed up. Thank you so kindly for that answer. Mr. Chairman, I yield. Gentleman yields back.
▶ 1:15:50I thank the witnesses once again. I wish you the best, Miss Castello, once again and uh I thank you once again for your dedicated life of service to this great nation. With that, this hearing is