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FEDERALhearing transcript
High Impact

House Subcommittee Hearing on 2018 Air Force Budget for Bombers, Tankers, and Airlift

Original title: [H.A.S.C. No. 115-50]HEARING ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018 AND OVERSIGHT OF PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMS

January 1, 2018

National Defense Authorization ActAir Force BudgetMilitary ProcurementB-21 BomberKC-46A TankerC-130H AirliftMilitary Readiness

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing sets the legislative oversight framework for the 2018 Air Force budget, directly influencing the funding and development timelines for critical military aircraft programs like the B-21 bomber and KC-46A tanker.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

U.S. Air Force

The Air Force is the primary agency responsible for executing the budget and programs discussed in the hearing.

Defense Contractors

Companies involved in the production of the B-21, KC-46A, and C-130H programs are affected by the budget allocations and oversight decisions.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2018.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Subcommittee on Seapower and held a hearing to review the Air Force's 2018 budget request for major aircraft programs. The discussion focused on the modernization of bombers, tankers, and airlift fleets, as well as concerns regarding military readiness and the impact of budget .

Key Facts

  • The hearing was held on May 25, 2017, to review the Fiscal Year 2018 Air Force budget request.
  • The budget includes increased investment in the B-21 long-range strike bomber program.
  • The budget includes continued investment in the procurement of KC-46A tankers.
  • The budget includes plans to modernize the legacy C-130H tactical airlift fleet.
  • The budget includes plans to recapitalize the Presidential aircraft fleet.
  • Chairman Wittman expressed concern regarding the impact of sequestration on military readiness.
  • The KC-46A tanker program is experiencing delays and a compressed testing schedule.
  • The Air Force leadership described the current fleet as one of the busiest, smallest, oldest, and least ready in history.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of this hearing?
The hearing was held to review the Air Force's budget request for fiscal year 2018, specifically focusing on bomber, tanker, and airlift programs.
What specific aircraft programs were discussed?
The committee discussed the B-21 long-range strike bomber, the KC-46A tanker, and the C-130H tactical airlift fleet.
What concerns did the committee chairman raise?
Chairman Wittman raised concerns about the impact of budget on military readiness and the delays currently affecting the KC-46A tanker program.

Why It Matters

This hearing sets the legislative oversight framework for the 2018 Air Force budget, directly influencing the funding and development timelines for critical military aircraft programs like the B-21 bomber and KC-46A tanker.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on High-End Threats

The hearing highlights a strategic shift toward prioritizing platforms capable of operating in 'denied environments' against high-end threats like China and Russia.

U.S. Air ForceB-21 Bomber

Connected Entities

personJoe Courtney“Ranking Member of the Subcommittee”Map →
personRobert J. Wittman“Chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces”Map →
personScott A. Vander Hamm“Major General, U.S. Air Force Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff”Map →
personJerry D. Harris“Lieutenant General, U.S. Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff”Map →
personArnold W. Bunch, Jr.“Lieutenant General, U.S. Air Force Military Deputy”Map →
organizationSubcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces“House Armed Services Subcommittee”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance80
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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