The Tactical Air and Land Forces proposal works to ensure that our military services are provided the necessary authorities and resources to achieve and sustain full spectrum readiness through modernization and recapitalization of existing force structure. With respect to acquisition programs, the proposal continues rigorous oversight of major defense programs to ensure programs remain on cost and schedule. Additionally, the proposal sets conditions to field improved capabilities to the warfighter in the shortest time possible while also maximizing every tax-dollar spent to the fullest extent. Together with the Full Committee Mark, the Tactical Air and Land Forces proposal recommends several actions to address military service unfunded requirements as well as address current capability gaps to mitigate threats posed by strategic high-end state competitors.
Specifically, the proposal:
- Authorizes multiyear procurement authorities for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft to generate better cost savings for the taxpayer and provide needed capability to the Navy;
- The proposal supports Air Force efforts to develop a 21st century Advanced Battle-Management System (ABMS) to mitigate anti-access, area-denial challenges of potential adversaries by integrating the JSTARS Recap program as the foundational platform for ABMS. The mark requires the Secretary of the Air Force to continue the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System Recapitalization (JSTARS Recap) program which will significantly increase Battle-Management, Command and Control, and Ground-Moving Target Indicator intelligence capabilities and capacity over what’s provided to the combatant commanders today, and to minimize operational risk to joint warfighters as concluded in multiple years of past Air Force analyses;
- Works to facilitate mitigation efforts to better address physiological episodes in tactical and training aircraft, and requires the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force to certify that any new aircraft will all have the most recent technological advancements necessary to mitigate PEs;
- Directs the Secretary of the Army to conduct a cost-benefit assessment and analysis of using multi-year procurement contracts for armored brigade combat team vehicle modernization to generate better cost-savings and better stability in the industrial base;
- Works to strengthen and improve ISR investment strategies in order to more efficiently and effectively meet combatant commander ISR requirements;
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a detailed cost estimate and baseline schedule for the F-35 continuous capability development and delivery program;
- Works to improve short range air defense (SHORAD) as well as indirect fires protection capability. Directs the Secretary of the Army to provide an accelerated acquisition strategy for the Army’s interim maneuverable SHORAD initiative, as well as identify requirements that are similar to both the SHORAD and counter-UAS missions;
- Advances the development and procurement of lighter, stronger, and more advanced personal protective equipment systems for all warfighters;
- Sets the conditions and encourages the Department to explore opportunities to accelerate the Future Vertical Lift program in order to meet national security challenges.
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