Facing an extended CR, the Pentagon says these US military programs will take a hit if Congress can't pass a budget
- Congress is running out of time to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act, and if lawmakers fail to do so, the Pentagon will find itself facing an extended continuing resolution.
- In the case of a 6-month CR, modernization programs across the service branches would suffer serious setbacks.
- Pentagon spokesman John Hoffman said Thursday that an extended CR could put at risk the Army's helicopter and armored vehicle programs, cripple Air Force munitions procurement efforts, and delay delivery of a Navy attack submarine, among other consequences.
Facing a continuing resolution due to the current budget impasse in Congress, the Pentagon revealed some of the specific Army, Navy, and Air Force programs that will be affected.
Should the ongoing CR be extended for another six months, a very real possibility, it will negatively impact the Army helicopter and armored vehicle programs, cripple Air Force munitions procurement, and delay submarine and ship deliveries, among other things, Pentagon spokesman John Hoffman said at a press briefing Thursday.
The spokesman told reporters that 31 Army production rate increases will be delayed, jeopardizing plans for the UH-60M Black Hawk, as well as efforts to upgrade the Strykers.
A 6-month CR would also throw a wrench in Army Futures Command projects, specifically the Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing efforts.
Not only would the the service be unable to procure new capabilities, but it would also halt ongoing efforts to field current systems to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and rotational Armored Brigade Combat Teams in Europe. In reality, though, the Army will experience setbacks across its modernization efforts in the event of an extended CR, which extends funding at current program levels instead of reallocating to levels sought by the Pentagon.
One of the controversial disputes is reportedly President Donald Trump's move to use military construction budget for the wall on the US-Mexico border. Should Congress find itself unable to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act by the Nov. 21 deadline, the Air Force will be forced to eliminate 1,000 Joint Direct Attack Munition tail kits, 99 Sidewinder Air-to-Air Missiles and 665 Small Diameter Bomb II munitions from its munitions procurement plans. The Pentagon argues that this development will result in inventory buildup delays, as well as a deteriorated industrial production capability.
The service also expects to see delays in the development and production of F-15X fighters, putting greater pressure on the current F-15C fleet.
As for the Navy, Hoffman explained that an extended CR will affect 14 ship availabilities, trigger the cancellation of planned ship underway training, and result in the shut down of non-deployed carrier air wing and expeditionary squadrons. The Navy is also preparing for delayed deliveries of one Virginia-class attack submarine, one fleet ocean tug, and two landing craft utility vessels.
These examples are only a few of the programs that could be affected by a 6-month CR, and all of the services are also bracing for the possibility of a year-long CR, which would impair current efforts to modernize the armed forces as the US military redirects its focus to great power competition.