[By Guancha Observer, Shanmao]

Bloomberg reported on the local time today (April 4th) that the Pentagon hopes to prioritize the development of the US Air Force's F-47 fighter over the Navy's similar project, citing that carrying out both projects simultaneously may cause delays for both of them. However, Congress has shown opposition to this move.

(Illustration) Boeing F-47 conceptual rendering

The US Department of Defense requested Congress to transfer $500 million from the "accelerated development" budget of the Navy's F/A-XX program to the Air Force's F-47 project. This budget was originally added to the reconciliation bill signed by Trump as part of the "Department of Defense" section in the House of Representatives' defense committee. It was reported last month that the Pentagon was preparing to cut the budget for F/A-XX and redirect it to other projects. Currently, Northrop Grumman and Boeing are competing for this next-generation US Navy fighter jet project to replace the current F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters.

(Illustration) Boeing's conceptual rendering of its sixth-generation carrier-based aircraft

In the report, Bloomberg mentioned that in the application documents submitted by the Pentagon to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees last month, it was stated that pursuing the development of two sixth-generation fighters simultaneously might result in a "double delivery delay risk." Under the leadership of Peter Hegseth, the Pentagon advocated using the additional $500 million for the F-47 project because the model had already received "full support from the President." The document indicated that given the schedule delays and cost increases in various models, the Department of Defense recommended prioritizing resources for the F-47 to allow the Navy's F/A-XX to "mature technologically." After the initial development of the F-47 is completed by the Air Force, the phased implementation of the F/A-XX plan can alleviate pressure on the defense industrial capacity sector.

Boeing's F-47, which was personally announced by President Trump, clearly holds special value.

Heather Vaughn, spokesperson for the House Armed Services Committee, said that since the justification provided by the Pentagon for reallocating funds was insufficient, they rejected this adjustment request. In the budget plan submitted to the Senate, the $500 million allocation for the F/A-XX project was still retained. Vaughn also added that since the Pentagon did not notify the committee of any changes to the Navy's sixth-generation fighter development and procurement plans, the committee continued to support the research and development of this key equipment under the circumstances where the Navy had not updated any new information regarding the capabilities, mission requirements, costs, and procurement strategies of the F/A-XX. The "Defense Section" of the bill released by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday included $750 million for the "acceleration of the F/A-XX aircraft project," indicating the second rejection by the fully Republican-controlled House and Senate of the Pentagon's reallocation of funds. The Pentagon did not respond to related requests for comment.

At the hearing on the 14th of last month, Ken Calvert, Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and Congressman from California, expressed dissatisfaction with the current status of the F/A-XX program to US Navy Secretary John Farenhold. He stated that the US Navy needs a sixth-generation fighter. Any hesitation in procuring the Navy's sixth-generation fighter would put the US military at a "dangerous disadvantage" in "combat against China." These aviation projects, which depend on highly specialized supply chains and skilled labor, cannot be turned on or off like a switch.

This article is an exclusive contribution by the Guancha Observer and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7512098506295837219/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and welcome your opinions to be expressed through the 'Like/Dislike' buttons below.