WASHINGTON - U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III testified in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee on January 28 about the negative impact sequestration will have on operations and acquisition programs in coming years. When sequestration caps were first applied to the FY13 budget, the service deferred aircraft maintenance, reduced flying hours and training, and cut funding for modernization. Lawmakers provided limited sequester relief in FY14 and FY15, though full sequester levels will return in FY16, reversing any progress that has been made in addressing shortfalls since FY13. The return of sequestration will also "make it impossible for [the Air Force] to meet the operational requirements of the Defense Strategic Guidance," Welsh said.

Welsh once again listed a number of assets that the Air Force says would have to be retired under sequestration, including the KC-10, U-2, RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40, and a portion of the E-3 AWACS fleet. The service would also reduce the MQ-1/MQ-9 UAV fleet by 10 orbits, which is equivalent to the level of medium altitude ISR activity supporting air operations in Iraq and Syria today, according to Welsh.

Funding for nuclear systems and infrastructure would also be slashed, impacting UH-1N recapitalization, modernization programs for bombers and nuclear weapons, and efforts to acquire ICBM and cruise missile replacements. Procurement rates would be slashed for a number of programs, including the F-35, and science & technology funding would be cut by over $1 billion over the next five years. The Adaptive Engine Transition Program would likely be terminated, and RQ-4 Block 30 enhancements would be delayed.

Welsh also discussed ongoing weapons shortfalls, and warned that sequestration will only exacerbate the problem. Direct attack munitions are well below acceptable inventory levels, and recent operations mean Hellfire missiles are being used faster than they can be replaced. Under sequestration, funding for Hellfire and Joint Direct Attack Munition procurement would fall by 61 percent, according to Welsh. Some of these inventory shortfalls have at least been partially addressed through the Overseas Contingency Operations account, which is not subject to sequestration.

The Air Force has already been in a protracted battle with Congress regarding the proposed retirement of a number of systems, including the A-10 and U-2. Congress used FY15 legislation to prevent the retirement of those two fleets, however, and lawmakers have already expressed concern about the potential retirement of the KC-10. Air Force officials say they plan to prioritize readiness and personnel if sequestration remains, meaning the service would have to target other modernization and recapitalization programs to save money.

Source: Forecast International - International Military Markets
Associated URL: http://www.forecastinternational.com
Author: S. McDougall, North America Analyst