HASC- Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee Markup
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Fiscal Year 2013, H.R. 4310

Overview

On 26 April 2012, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, held its markup of H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13).  The markup was held by Chairman, Representative Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD-06), and Ranking Member, Representative Silvestre Reyes (D-TX-16).

In his opening statement, Chairman Bartlett noted that, “The Department of Defense did not request funding for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment (NGREA) account.  We are recommending at least $250 million for that account.

Regarding the F-35 aircraft, there continue to be major concerns with the program, but the committee supports the requirement for a 5th generation stealth fighter due to projected increases in the effectiveness, quantities, and proliferation of threat anti-aircraft systems.  The 187 F-22 5th generation stealth fighter aircraft alone, may not provide the capability required.

In prior years the committee has expressed concern with the Pentagon’s F-35 production plan being too aggressive, given F-35 lagging technology development, insufficient flight testing, and design instability.  The Pentagon has now done what the committee advocated several years ago, by reducing the annual procurement until the R&D issues are better resolved.   U.S. production is scheduled to stabilize at approximately 30 aircraft per year through fiscal year 2014.”

All markup documents can be found at http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cfm/subcommittee-marks1.

Legislative Provisions

The HASC- Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee markup of H.R. 4310 contained a number of additional provisions pertaining to the Navy and Navy Reserve.  Below you will find a summary, compiled from the actual markup text and analysis by the Association of the United States Navy (AUSN):

Sec. 123. Extension of Multiyear Procurement Authority for F/A-18E, F/A-18F and EA-18G Aircraft
This section of the Subcommittee markup of H.R. 4310 would amend the FY10 NDAA to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to add a fifth production year to the multiyear procurement contract for the F/A-18E, F/A-18F and EA-18G aircraft

Sec. 124. Multiyear Procurement Authority for the V-22 Joint Aircraft Program
This section of the Subcommittee markup of H.R. 4310 would authorize the Secretary of the Navy to enter into a multiyear contract, beginning with FY13, for the procurement of V-22 aircraft.  It would also require the V-22 contract provide that any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract for a fiscal year, after FY13, be subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose for such later fiscal year.