Combat Aviation Modernization Programs and the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request

The budget request for Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps programs in our jurisdiction reflects a more stable funding path for major aviation programs and seeks to address modernization upgrades needed by all three services. This committee [Committee on Armed Services] has rightfully focused on areas where improvements are needed in the acquisition process, but there are a number of successes that don't get much attention, but promise to deliver greatly improved capabilities in some key areas in the next 2 years for the services. The aviation budgets for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force appear to be placing a higher priority on current readiness. Earlier this year, we heard the Vice Chief of Naval Operations report that over 60 percent of F–18s are out of service due to backlogs in depot repair. The budget fully funds depot capacity. This budget also robustly funds preferred aviation munitions, such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition, Small Diameter Bombs, and Hellfire missiles—a much needed increase, especially for the ongoing combat operations in the U.S. Central Command's [CENTCOM's] areas of responsibilities. Chairman Thornberry and Chairman McCain believe that a $640 billion budget in fiscal year 2018 is required to build the capability needed for today's complex and dangerous world.