Sec. 147. Findings and sense of Congress regarding KC–46 aerial refueling tankers
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Congress makes the following findings: Aerial refueling tankers provide an essential foundation for our nation’s ability to project power and deter adversaries, enabling the global reach of our joint force. 87 percent of the legacy aerial refueling fleet is comprised of KC–135 aircraft with an average age of 56 years. The Commander of United States Transportation Command has identified the aerial refueling fleet as the most stressed of our air mobility forces and stated that delaying KC–46 production puts the Joint Force’s ability to effectively execute war plans at risk .
As directed by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 ( Public Law 115–91 ), the Air Force is undertaking an updated mobility capability and requirements study that will reflect guidance articulated in the 2018 National Defense Strategy and reassess the current tanker requirement of 479 aircraft. The fixed-price contract for KC–46A calls for 179 aircraft to be delivered by 2028. The KC–46 is a multirole platform that will bring enhanced capabilities to both the aerial refueling and strategic airlift missions.
The aircraft provides the ability to refuel joint and coalition aircraft by both boom and drogue systems in the same sortie; improved cargo, passenger and aeromedical evacuation capabilities; and enhanced survivability with multiple layers of protection enabling it to operate safely in a broader range of threat environments than legacy tankers. The Government Accountability Office has stated: The KC–46 program’s total acquisition cost estimate remained stable over the past year at $44,400,000,000, which is about $7,300,000,000 less than the original estimate.
The Commander of Air Mobility Command has stated that the KC–46 will bring tremendous capability to our joint warfighter . The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition has stated: Stability of requirements and funding are the keys to KC–46 program success and will enable the Air Force to deliver this new tanker ready for employment on day one. The Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition has identified the KC–46 as the Air Force’s second highest combat aviation acquisition priority for the role that it plays in being able to power project .
With the support of Congress, the Air Force has executed three low rate initial production contracts for a total of 34 aircraft. In fiscal year 2018, Congress provided funding for a fourth production lot totaling 18 aircraft. A steady production rate of 1.3 aircraft per month has been maintained through independent investment by industry in order to expedite deliveries to the Air Force upon completion of developmental testing and certification. It is the sense of Congress that— the Air Force and industry should dedicate the resources and manpower necessary to ensure the first KC–46 is delivered in fiscal year 2018; the Air Force should maximize efficiency in the test and certification process to ensure that— test points are not redundant; test plans are approved expeditiously; receiver aircraft are available to support test flights; and Air Force inputs necessary for Federal Aviation Administration and military airworthiness certifications are expedited; and the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition and the Director of the Defense Contract Management Agency should develop and implement a plan enabling the Air Force to accept and field KC–46 aircraft at a rate higher than three aircraft per month after the delivery of the first aircraft.
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Sec. 147
Findings and sense of Congress regarding KC–46 aerial refueling tankers
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