Sec. 143. REPORT ON STATUS OF AIR-LAUNCHED CRUISE MISSILE CAPABILITIES
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## SEC. 143 REPORT ON STATUS OF AIR-LAUNCHED CRUISE MISSILE CAPABILITIES ###
(a)Findings Congress finds the following: ####
(1)The capability provided by the nuclear-capable, air-launched cruise missile is critical to maintaining a credible and effective air-delivery leg of the nuclear triad, preserving the ability to respond to geopolitical and technical surprise, and reassuring allies of the United States through credible extended deterrence. ####
(2)In the fiscal year 2015 budget request of the Air Force, the Secretary of the Air Force delayed development of the long-range standoff weapon, the follow-on for the air-launched cruise missile, by three years. ####
(3)The Secretary plans to sustain the current air-launched cruise missile, known as the AGM-86, until approximately 2030, with multiple service life-extension programs required to preserve but not enhance the existing capabilities of the air-launched cruise missile. ####
(4)The AGM-86 was initially developed in the 1970s and deployed in the 1980s. ####
(5)The average age of the inventory of air-launched cruise missiles is more than 30 years old. ####
(6)The operating environment, particularly the sophistication of integrated air defenses, has evolved substantially since the inception of the air-launched cruise missile. ####
(7)The AGM-86 is no longer in production and the inventory of spare bodies for required annual testing continues to diminish, posing serious challenges for long-term sustainment. ###
(b)Report ####
(1)In general Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force, in coordination with the Commander of the United States Strategic Command, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the status of the current air-launched cruise missile and the development of the follow-on system, the long-range standoff weapon, in accordance with section 217 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113-66; 127 Stat. 706). ####
(2)Elements The report under paragraph
(1)shall include the following: #####
(A)An assessment of the effectiveness and survivability of the air-launched cruise missile through 2030, including the impact of any degradation on the ability of the United States Strategic Command to meet deterrence requirements, including the number of targets held at risk by the air-launched cruise missile or the burdens placed on other legs of the nuclear triad. #####
(B)A description of age-related failure trends, an assessment of potential age-related fleet-wide reliability and supportability problems, and the estimated costs for sustaining the air-launched cruise missile. #####
(C)A detailed plan, including initial cost estimates, for the development and deployment of the follow-on system that will achieve initial operational capability before 2030. #####
(D)An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of alternative development strategies, including initial cost estimates, that would achieve full operational capability before 2030. #####
(E)An assessment of current testing requirements and the availability of test bodies to sustain the air-launched cruise missile over the long term. #####
(F)A description of the extent to which the airframe and other related components can be completed independent of the payload, as determined by the Nuclear Weapons Council established by section 179 of title 10, United States Code. #####
(G)A statement of the risks assumed by not fielding an operational replacement for the existing air-launched cruise missile by 2030. ####
(3)Form The report required under paragraph
(1)shall be submitted in classified form, but may include an unclassified summary. ## Subtitle E Defense-Wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters
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Sec. 143
REPORT ON STATUS OF AIR-LAUNCHED CRUISE MISSILE CAPABILITIES
Stat.127 Stat. 706
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