Senator Wicker Questions Air Force General on Aircraft Readiness Rates

Defense Budget and Spending Recommendations

• 🎯 General Alban, Secretary Mink, and General Saltzman committed to unequivocally follow Congress's spending recommendations in defense reconciliation.
• 💡 General Alban agreed that there must be a better way than frequent continuing resolutions, referring to the need for more predictable funding.

Space Force Budget and Responsibilities

• 🚀 General Saltzman stated that the Space Force currently consumes about 3% of the defense budget.
• 💰 He indicated that while the percentage might remain correct, the Space Force will need more resources to accomplish its new, additional responsibilities.

F-47 Acquisition Approach

• 🛠️ General Alban described a new acquisition approach for the F-47, emphasizing increased government control over the project.
• 🧠 This approach involves insourcing more of the tech base and owning a government reference architecture, allowing upgrades at the speed of software.
• 💸 The goal is to be more agile, integrate disruptive technology rapidly, and provide American taxpayers with more combat capability for their money.

Aircraft Mission Capability and Readiness

• ⚠️ Senator Wicker raised concerns about poor readiness rates, citing figures as low as 60% for some aircraft.
• 📊 The F-16's availability rate, including depot time, is around 50%, with a mission capable rate of 62%.
• ⚙️ Mission capability is defined by assessing the missions for which an aircraft is designed and its aircrew are trained, requiring all necessary systems to be working.