this U.S. Navy Both a navy and an air force (it has the most powerful navy in the world and arguably the second most powerful air force). Its ships and aircraft cost a lot of money, and the U.S. Navy doesn't have enough. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned in a statement letter Leaders told Armed Services Committee that Navy F/A-XX development would be delayed if Navy chooses to fund second Virginia-class submarine sixth generation fighter. Just a few days ago, Navy says sixth-generation F/A-XX fighter remains priority.
Virginia-class submarines and the F/A-XX fighter under development
The Virginia class is the U.S. Navy's newest class of nuclear-powered cruise missile fast attack submarines, replacing the older Los Angeles class submarines. The Navy plans to eventually purchase 66 such ships, and hopes to do so at a rate of two per year. However, funding for two per year has not yet been secured, and the Navy may only be able to purchase one this year.
Graphics: Mike Mareen | Shutterstock
Now, the defense secretary says the Navy may be forced to choose between purchasing a second ship and delaying the F/A-XX, or moving forward with the F/A-XX but funding only one ship in fiscal 2025.
“Adding a second submarine would require the Department of Defense to cut the next-generation fighter program by $400 million, making the fighter program unexecutable and reducing the Navy's ability to field needed next-generation aircraft capabilities between 2033 and 2037,”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
Austin wrote that the Department of Defense “strongly opposes” the bill introduced by the Senate and passed by the House that would authorize and fund a second Virginia-class submarine in fiscal year 2025. He said “Industry will not be able to produce on a reasonable schedule” He also called for investment to support the submarine industrial base.
He warned that if the Navy was required to build a second ship, it would result in a $400 million cut from the F/A-XX next-generation fighter development budget (the Navy has a 2026-2029 forecast calling for $1 billion per year for the program). There was even an iteration Earlier this year, the Senate's National Defense Authorization Bill appeared to all but eliminate funding.
Air Force opposes fiscal year 2025 provisions
Additionally, this letter objects to the denial of permission United States Air Force arrive Block 20 F-22 Raptor fighter retired. These were built for training and could not be used in combat without significant investment.
The Defense Department also vetoed a rule that would have required an inventory of primary mission aircraft to be at least 1,106 aircraft. The letter said this would hinder the department's modernization efforts.”…deter and, if necessary, defeat the People's Republic of China (PRC) by realigning the personnel, infrastructure and funding needed“.
It explained that the provision would require the Air Force to maintain “less capable fighter aircraft and will reduce the Department of Defense's ability to determine operational requirements.“
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