Sec. 133. Requirements study and acquisition strategy for the combat search and rescue mission of the Air Force
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The Secretary of the Air Force shall conduct a study to determine the requirements for the combat search and rescue mission of the Air Force in support of the objectives of the National Defense Strategy. The study under paragraph
(1)shall include the following: Identification of anticipated combat search and rescue mission requirements necessary to meet the objectives of the most recent National Defense Strategy, including— requirements for short-term, mid-term, and long-term contingency and steady-state operations against adversaries; requirements under the Agile Combat Employment operational scheme of the Air Force; requirements relating to regions and specific geographic areas that are expected to have a need for combat search and rescue forces based on the combat-relevant range and penetration capability of United States air assets and associated weapon systems; and the level of operational risk associated with each likely requirement and scenario. An assessment of the rotary, tilt, and fixed wing aircraft and key combat search and rescue enabling capabilities that— are needed to meet the requirements identified under subparagraph (A); and have been accounted for in the budget of the Air Force as of the date of the study. Identification of any combat search and rescue capability gaps, including an assessment of— whether and to what extent such gaps may affect the ability of the Air Force to conduct combat search and rescue operations; any capability gaps that may be created by procuring fewer HH–60W aircraft than planned under the program of record, including any expected changes to the plan for fielding such aircraft for active, reserve, and National Guard units; and any capability gaps attributable to unfunded requirements. Identification and assessment of key current, emerging, and future technologies with potential application to the combat search and rescue mission, including electric vertical takeoff and landing, unmanned aerial systems, armed air launched effects or similar armed capabilities, electric short take-off and landing, or a combination of such technologies. An assessment of each technology identified under subparagraph (D), including (as applicable) an assessment of— technology maturity; suitability to the combat search and rescue mission; range; speed; payload capability and capacity; radio frequency and infrared signatures; operational conditions required for the use of such technology, such as runway availability; survivability; lethality; potential to support combat missions other than combat search and rescue; and estimated cost. Not later than March 30, 2023, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the results of the study under paragraph (1). The report required under subparagraph
(A)shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. Based on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Air Force shall develop a strategy for the acquisition of capabilities to meet the requirements identified under such study. The acquisition strategy under paragraph
(1)shall include— A prioritized list of the capabilities needed to meet the requirements identified under subsection (a). The estimated costs of such capabilities, including— any amounts already budgeted for such capabilities as of the date of the strategy, including amounts already budgeted for emerging and future technologies; and any amounts not already budgeted for such capabilities as of such date. An estimate of the date by which the capability is expected to become operational. A description of any requirements identified under subsection
(a)that the Secretary of the Air Force does not expect to meet as part of the acquisition strategy and an explanation of the reasons such requirements cannot be met. Not later than June 1, 2023, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the acquisition strategy developed under paragraph (1). The report required under subparagraph
(A)shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.