William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021: Report 116-442
Summary
Report 116-442 of the 116th Congress, 2d Session, dated July 9, 2020, of the Committee on Armed Services on H.R. 6395, the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. It comes together with additional, supplemental and minority views and a cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office. A passage near page 139 on Section 558 would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from eliminating the College of International Security Affairs of the National Defense University, or the Joint Special Operations Master of Arts, without giving Congress an assessment of the effect on United States interests related to counterterrorism and asymmetric warfare.
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“William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021: Report 116-442.”
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1
116TH CONGRESS REPORT
" HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES !
2d Session 116–442
WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
R E P O R T
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ON
H.R. 6395
together with
ADDITIONAL, SUPPLEMENTAL, AND MINORITY VIEWS
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
JULY 9, 2020.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
E:\Seals\Congress.#13
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WILLIAM M. ( MAC ) THORNBERRY
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
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1
116TH CONGRESS REPORT
" HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES !
2d Session 116–442
WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
R E P O R T
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ON
H.R. 6395
together with
ADDITIONAL, SUPPLEMENTAL, AND MINORITY VIEWS
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
JULY 9, 2020.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
40–707 WASHINGTON : 2020
E:\Seals\Congress.#13
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COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
ADAM SMITH, Washington, Chairman
SUSAN A. DAVIS, California WILLIAM M. ‘‘MAC’’ THORNBERRY, Texas
JAMES R. LANGEVIN, Rhode Island JOE WILSON, South Carolina
RICK LARSEN, Washington ROB BISHOP, Utah
JIM COOPER, Tennessee MICHAEL R. TURNER, Ohio
JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut MIKE ROGERS, Alabama
JOHN GARAMENDI, California K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas
JACKIE SPEIER, California DOUG LAMBORN, Colorado
TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii ROBERT J. WITTMAN, Virginia
DONALD NORCROSS, New Jersey VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri
RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia
SETH MOULTON, Massachusetts MO BROOKS, Alabama
SALUD O. CARBAJAL, California PAUL COOK, California
ANTHONY G. BROWN, Maryland, Vice BRADLEY BYRNE, Alabama
Chair SAM GRAVES, Missouri
RO KHANNA, California ELISE M. STEFANIK, New York
WILLIAM R. KEATING, Massachusetts SCOTT DES JARLAIS, Tennessee
FILEMON VELA, Texas RALPH LEE ABRAHAM, Louisiana
ANDY KIM, New Jersey TRENT KELLY, Mississippi
KENDRA S. HORN, Oklahoma MIKE GALLAGHER, Wisconsin
GILBERT RAY CISNEROS, Jr., California MATT GAETZ, Florida
CHRISSY HOULAHAN, Pennsylvania DON BACON, Nebraska
JASON CROW, Colorado JIM BANKS, Indiana
XOCHITL TORRES SMALL, New Mexico LIZ CHENEY, Wyoming
ELISSA SLOTKIN, Michigan PAUL MITCHELL, Michigan
MIKIE SHERRILL, New Jersey JACK BERGMAN, Michigan
VERONICA ESCOBAR, Texas MICHAEL WALTZ, Florida
DEBRA A. HAALAND, New Mexico
JARED F. GOLDEN, Maine
LORI TRAHAN, Massachusetts
ELAINE G. LURIA, Virginia
ANTHONY BRINDISI, New York
PAUL ARCANGELI, Staff Director
(II)
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CONTENTS
Page
Purpose of the Legislation ...................................................................................... 1
Rationale for the Committee Bill ........................................................................... 2
Hearings ................................................................................................................... 3
Committee Position ................................................................................................. 4
Explanation of the Committee Amendments ........................................................ 4
Relationship of Authorization to Appropriations .................................................. 4
Summary of Discretionary Authorizations in the Bill .......................................... 4
Budget Authority Implication ................................................................................. 5
DIVISION A—DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS ................. 5
TITLE I—PROCUREMENT ................................................................................... 5
Aircraft Procurement, Army ............................................................................ 5
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 5
Army Aviation Radio Modernization ....................................................... 5
Army intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance programs ............ 5
CH–47 Chinook helicopter ........................................................................ 6
Load Stability Systems ............................................................................. 6
Short Range Reconnaissance Small Unmanned Aircraft System ......... 7
UH–60M Army National Guard Fielding Strategy ................................ 7
UH–60V Total Force Fielding Strategy ................................................... 8
UH–72 Lakota helicopter commercial-off-the-shelf modifications ......... 8
Procurement of Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles, Army .................. 8
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 8
Combat and tactical vehicle interior flame resistant materials ............ 8
M240 medium machine gun modernization and sustainment .............. 9
Procurement of Ammunition, Army ................................................................ 9
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 9
Handgun Ammunition Procurement ........................................................ 9
Shoulder-launched munitions ................................................................... 10
Other Procurement, Army ............................................................................... 10
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 10
All-terrain cranes ...................................................................................... 10
Assessment of the Army’s tactical wheeled vehicle strategy and im-
plementation efforts ............................................................................... 11
Soldier Enhancement Program ................................................................ 11
Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Industrial base ............................................... 12
Aircraft Procurement, Navy ............................................................................ 12
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 12
Anti-submarine warfare low frequency sonar capability ....................... 12
Department of the Navy Strike-Fighter management ........................... 13
P–8 aircraft ................................................................................................ 14
VH–92A Executive Helicopter training aircraft ..................................... 14
Weapons Procurement, Navy ........................................................................... 15
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 15
Fleet Proficiency for Ballistic Missile Defense ........................................ 15
Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy ................................................................ 16
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 16
Advanced degaussing for DDG–51 destroyers ........................................ 16
Aegis combatants and 5th Generation aircraft interoperability ........... 16
Amphibious Shipbuilding ......................................................................... 17
DDG–51 multiyear procurement .............................................................. 17
National Surface Warship Engineering and Design Capability ............ 18
Navy Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance Ships (T–AGOS) Pro-
gram ........................................................................................................ 18
Ship Counting Methodology ..................................................................... 19
(III)
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IV
Page
Submarine Supplier Development ........................................................... 19
Technology Insertion in New Ship Designs ............................................ 20
Variable Depth Sonar for DDG–51 destroyers ........................................ 20
Virginia-class submarine .......................................................................... 21
Other Procurement, Navy ................................................................................ 21
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 21
Laser shock peening (LSP) technology .................................................... 21
Long-term charter requirements .............................................................. 22
Pilot program regarding the viability of electronic actuators ................ 22
Unmanned maritime systems .................................................................. 22
Procurement, Marine Corps ............................................................................. 23
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 23
Marine Corps hearing protection program .............................................. 23
Marine Corps vertical lift munitions ....................................................... 23
Modular Aviator Body Armor Vest Acquisition Strategy ....................... 24
Rapid acquisition of rifle integrated controller ....................................... 24
Aircraft Procurement, Air Force ...................................................................... 24
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 24
A–10 Synthetic Aperture Radar Improvements ..................................... 24
Airlift tactical data link ............................................................................ 25
C–130H propeller/engine upgrades .......................................................... 25
E–8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System ............................ 25
Expanded Carriage for the B–1 ............................................................... 26
KC–46A full rate production .................................................................... 26
MQ–9 Reaper ............................................................................................. 27
Procurement, Defense-Wide ............................................................................. 28
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 28
Commonality and cost efficiencies in degraded visual environment
systems ................................................................................................... 28
F–35 ............................................................................................................ 28
Ground tactical vehicles for special operations forces ............................ 29
Increased research for counter unmanned aircraft systems in austere
locations abroad ..................................................................................... 29
Replacement of Special Operations Command DHC–8 aircraft ............ 30
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 30
Subtitle A—Authorization of Appropriations ................................................. 30
Section 101—Authorization of Appropriations ........................................... 30
Subtitle B—Navy Programs ............................................................................ 30
Section 111—Independent Cost Estimate of FFG(X) Frigate Program .... 30
Subtitle C—Air Force Programs ...................................................................... 31
Section 121—Modification of Force Structure Objectives for B–1 Bomb-
er Aircraft .................................................................................................. 31
Section 122—Extension of Limitation on Availability of Funds for Re-
tirement of RC–135 Aircraft ..................................................................... 31
Section 123—Modification of Limitation on Availability of Funds for
Retirement of E–8 JSTARS Aircraft ........................................................ 31
Section 124—Limitation on Availability of Funds for the Advanced
Battle Management System Pending Certification Relating to RQ–
4 Aircraft .................................................................................................... 31
Section 125—Inventory Requirements for Certain Air Refueling Tanker
Aircraft ....................................................................................................... 32
Section 126—Limitation on Production of KC–46A Aircraft ..................... 32
Section 127—Assessment and Certification Relating to OC–135 Air-
craft ............................................................................................................ 32
Section 128—Modernization Plan for Airborne Intelligence, Surveil-
lance, and Reconnaissance ........................................................................ 32
Section 129—Minimum Bomber Aircraft Force Level ............................... 33
Subtitle D—Defense-Wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters ........................ 33
Section 131—Documentation Relating to the F–35 Aircraft Program ..... 33
Section 132—Notification on Software Regression Testing for F–35 Air-
craft ............................................................................................................ 33
Section 133—Notification on Efforts to Replace Inoperable Ejection
Seat Aircraft Locator Beacons .................................................................. 33
Section 134—Limitation on Use of Funds for the Armed Overwatch
Program ...................................................................................................... 34
TITLE II—RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION .......... 34
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Army ................................... 34
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Page
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 34
Accelerating Army Aircraft Cleaning and Deicing Systems for rotary-
wing aircraft ........................................................................................... 34
Auxiliary power units for armored and tactical vehicles ....................... 35
Briefing on Army’s Carbine Magazine Development Strategy .............. 35
Carbon composite materials for helicopter wheels and brakes ............. 36
Carbon fiber and graphite foam for combat and tactical vehicles ......... 36
Electrification of Army combat and tactical vehicles ............................. 37
Extended Range Cannon Artillery Program ........................................... 37
Future Vertical Lift sensor payloads ....................................................... 38
Instrumental Synthetic Training Environment and Modeling and
Simulation Capabilities ......................................................................... 38
Modeling and Simulation for Ground Vehicle Development and Sus-
tainment ................................................................................................. 39
Next generation Integrated Visual Augmentation System .................... 39
Next Generation Squad Weapons and Small Business Innovation
Research ................................................................................................. 39
Pragmatic Artificial Intelligence and New Technology (PAINT) ........... 40
Report on the Future Tactical Unmanned Aerial System Program ...... 40
Stryker weapons station commonality ..................................................... 40
Supercavitating Ammunition ................................................................... 41
Thermoplastic drive shafts for helicopter tail rotor drive systems ....... 41
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Navy .................................... 42
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 42
Advanced Low Cost Munition Ordnance ................................................. 42
Advanced Submarine Countermeasures .................................................. 42
Aviation Survivability of Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force Rotary
Wing Aircraft ......................................................................................... 42
Conformal Acoustic Velocity Sonar .......................................................... 43
Expeditionary Fast Transport conversion to an unmanned surface
vessel ....................................................................................................... 43
Medium Range Interceptor Capability .................................................... 44
Medium unmanned undersea vehicles .................................................... 44
Report on the Navy’s Long-Range Ocular Interrupter Program ........... 44
Research opportunities in cloud-aerosol effects and atmospheric sun-
light reflection ........................................................................................ 45
RF and EMP defense technology solutions ............................................. 46
Shipboard Information Warfare Exploit .................................................. 46
SSN(X) future propulsion and power requirements ............................... 47
Surface Navy Laser Weapon System Briefing ........................................ 47
Transformational Reliable Acoustic Path System .................................. 48
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Air Force ............................. 48
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 48
Air Force Advanced Technology Development Report ........................... 48
Air Force Institute of Technology research, development, test, and
evaluation ............................................................................................... 49
Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program ......... 49
Airborne Augmented Reality Systems ..................................................... 50
Assessment of the Air Force Test Center enterprise .............................. 50
Briefing on Air Force Vanguard Programs ............................................. 51
Flight test air refueling support .............................................................. 51
Report on Counter-Radar Electronic Warfare and Signal Processing
Capabilities ............................................................................................ 51
University Consortium to Address Research Needs Unique to the
Space Force ............................................................................................ 52
Wide area motion imagery ........................................................................ 52
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Defense-Wide ..................... 53
Items of Special Interest .............................................................................. 53
Alliance innovation partnerships ............................................................. 53
Assessment of High-Powered Microwave Systems ................................. 54
Bio-engineering roadmap for the Department of Defense ..................... 54
Classified ready engineering workforce ................................................... 54
Department of Defense chemical and biological emerging threats re-
sponse efforts ......................................................................................... 55
Development of technology to increase the resiliency in mitigating
viral pandemics ...................................................................................... 56
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Page
Enhancing research into human performance and resilience tech-
nologies in support of special operations force personnel ................... 57
Establishing a research consortium of excellence for irregular warfare
and advanced analytics ......................................................................... 57
Evaluation of emergent technologies in support of special operations
forces in great power competition ........................................................ 58
Feasibility assessment of establishing large and open defense based
data sets ................................................................................................. 59
Forecasting and modeling partnerships for countering infectious dis-
eases ........................................................................................................ 60
GPS-based precision approach and landing system ............................... 60
High energy laser endless magazine definition ...................................... 60
Hydrogen safety for battery use ............................................................... 61
Implementation of Department of Defense Inspector General recom-
mendations on additive manufacturing ............................................... 61
Infrastructure to support research, development, test, and engineer-
ing at China Lake .................................................................................. 62
Investment in research and development for decontamination tech-
nology to support civilian applications ................................................. 62
Investment in research and development for technology to test treat-
ments for nuclear, chemical, and biological exposure ......................... 63
Joint vaccine acquisition program ........................................................... 63
Modular Open Systems common data standards ................................... 63
Next generation semiconductor development and manufacturing ........ 64
Nuclear micro reactors .............................................................................. 65
Public-Private Partnerships for Product Support on software-inten-
sive government systems ...................................................................... 65
Quantum research efforts ......................................................................... 66
Report on Department of Defense university research COVID–19
recovery .................................................................................................. 66
Report on employing and strengthening the United States’ hyper-
sonics research and development workforce ........................................ 66
Report on waterjet demilitarization technology ...................................... 67
Report to Congress on High Mach and Hypersonic Aircraft Capabili-
ties ........................................................................................................... 67
Tactical training range instrumentation ................................................. 68
Testing of lithium ion batteries ................................................................ 68
Use of artificial intelligence to analyze beneficial ownership of de-
fense contractors .................................................................................... 69
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 69
Subtitle A—Authorization of Appropriations ................................................. 69
Section 201—Authorization of Appropriations ........................................... 69
Subtitle B—Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations ............ 69
Section 211—Modification of Science, Mathematics, and Research for
Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program ......................... 69
Section 212—Enhanced Participation of Department of Defense Con-
tractors in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Ac-
tivities ......................................................................................................... 70
Section 213—Modification of Requirements Relating to Certain Cooper-
ative Research and Development Agreements ........................................ 70
Section 214—Pilot Program on Talent Optimization ................................. 70
Section 215—Codification of the National Security Innovation Network 70
Section 216—Modification of Pilot Program on Enhanced Civics Edu-
cation .......................................................................................................... 71
Section 217—Modification of Joint Artificial Intelligence Research, De-
velopment, and Transition Activities ....................................................... 71
Section 218—Modification of National Security Innovation Activities
and Manufacturing Pilot Program ........................................................... 72
Section 219—Extension of Pilot Program for the Enhancement of the
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Centers of the Depart-
ment of Defense ......................................................................................... 72
Section 220—Digital Data Management and Analytics Capability .......... 72
Section 221—Social Science, Management Science, and Information
Science Research Activities ...................................................................... 73
Section 222—Measuring and Incentivizing Programming Proficiency ..... 74
Section 223—Information Technology Modernization and Security Ef-
forts ............................................................................................................ 74
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Section 224—Board of Directors for the Joint Artificial Intelligence
Center ......................................................................................................... 74
Section 225—Directed Energy Working Group .......................................... 75
Section 226—Program Executive Officer for Autonomy ............................ 75
Section 227—Accountability Measures Relating to the Advanced Battle
Management System ................................................................................. 75
Section 228—Measures to Address Foreign Talent Programs .................. 75
Section 229—Disclosure of Foreign Funding Sources in Applications
for Federal Research Awards ................................................................... 75
Section 230—Limitations Relating to Large Unmanned Surface Vessels
and Associated Offensive Weapon Systems ............................................ 76
Section 231—Limitation on Availability of Funds Pending Review and
Report on Next Generation Air Dominance Capabilities ....................... 76
Subtitle C—Emerging Technology and Artificial Intelligence Matters ....... 76
Section 241—Steering Committee on Emerging Technology .................... 76
Section 242—Training for Human Resources Personnel in Artificial
Intelligence and Related Topics ............................................................... 76
Section 243—Unclassified Workspaces for Personnel with Pending Se-
curity Clearances ....................................................................................... 76
Section 244—Pilot Program on the Use of Electronic Portfolios to Eval-
uate Applicants for Certain Technical Positions .................................... 76
Section 245—Self-Directed Training in Artificial Intelligence .................. 77
Section 246—Part-Time and Term Employment of University Profes-
sors and Students in the Defense Science and Technology Enterprise 77
Section 247—Microelectronics and National Security ............................... 77
Section 248—Acquisition of Ethically and Responsibly Developed Artifi-
cial Intelligence Technology ...................................................................... 77
Section 249—Enhancement of Public-Private Talent Exchange Pro-
grams in the Department of Defense ....................................................... 77
Subtitle D—Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development ................. 78
Section 251—Short Title .............................................................................. 78
Section 252—Findings .................................................................................. 78
Section 253—National Coordinating Entity for Sustainable Chemistry .. 78
Section 254—Strategic Plan for Sustainable Chemistry ........................... 78
Section 255—Agency Activities in Support of Sustainable Chemistry ..... 78
Section 256—Partnerships in Sustainable Chemistry ............................... 78
Section 257—Prioritization .......................................................................... 79
Section 258—Rule of Construction .............................................................. 79
Section 259—Major Multi-User Research Facility Project ........................ 79
Subtitle E—Plans, Reports, and Other Matters ............................................ 79
Section 261—Modification to Annual Report of the Director of Oper-
ational Test and Evaluation ..................................................................... 79
Section 262—Repeal of Quarterly Updates on the Optionally Manned
Fighting Vehicle Program ......................................................................... 79
Section 263—Independent Evaluation of Personal Protective and Diag-
nostic Testing Equipment ......................................................................... 80
Section 264—Reports on F–35 Physiological Episodes and Mitigation
Efforts ......................................................................................................... 80
Section 265—Study on Mechanisms for Attracting and Retaining High
Quality Talent in the National Security Innovation Base ..................... 80
TITLE III—OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ................................................ 81
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 81
Energy and Environment Issues ................................................................. 81
Application of Geological Survey Information Related to Red Hill Bulk
Fuel Storage Facility ................................................................................. 81
Aviation Ground Support Equipment ......................................................... 81
Biomass Support of Installation Energy Resiliency ................................... 82
Defense Energy Resilience Authorities and Programs .............................. 82
Execution of the Military Munitions Response Program ........................... 83
Expanding the Scope of and Partners for DOD PFAS Research and
Development .............................................................................................. 83
Federal-State Partnerships and the Readiness Environmental Protec-
tion Integration Program .......................................................................... 83
Implementation of Operational Energy Cost Savings ............................... 84
Increased Resiliency and Lethality through Operational Energy Invest-
ment ............................................................................................................ 84
Report on Department of Defense Fuel Contracting ................................. 85
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Water and Sewage Resiliency Gaps at Military Installations .................. 85
Logistics and Sustainment Issues ................................................................... 85
Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training and T–7A Redhawk Transition
Plan ............................................................................................................ 85
Army Combat Aviation Sustainment .......................................................... 86
Department of Defense Warehouse Space Management ........................... 87
Depot Carryover ............................................................................................ 87
Domestically Sourced Corrosion Control ..................................................... 88
F–35 Sustainment ......................................................................................... 88
Navy and Air Force Fixed-Wing Aviation Field-Level Maintenance ........ 89
Navy Deferred Maintenance ........................................................................ 90
Navy Ship Field-Level Maintenance ........................................................... 90
Pilot Program for Enhancing Ship Readiness through Digital Tech-
niques ......................................................................................................... 91
Transparency in Food Ingredient Policies and Standards ........................ 92
United States Air Force Academy Mission Network ................................. 92
Readiness Issues ............................................................................................... 93
Air Force T–38C Transition and Formation Landings .............................. 93
Air Support Service Contracts ..................................................................... 93
Army Briefing on Static-Line Parachuting Proficiency Requirements ..... 94
Army Sustainable Readiness Model ............................................................ 96
Briefing on Deployment of Next Generation 911 on Military Installa-
tions ............................................................................................................ 96
Department of Defense Law Enforcement Training and Standards ........ 97
Directed Readiness Tables and Readiness Reporting ................................ 97
Dynamic Force Employment ........................................................................ 98
Exercise Northern Strike ............................................................................. 98
High-Speed Test Track Infrastructure Requirements ............................... 99
Marine Corps Aviation Readiness and Sustainment ................................. 99
Personnel Parachute and Cargo Inventory Management .......................... 99
Readiness of Firefighting Infrastructure and Equipment ......................... 100
Report on the Air Force’s Use of Executive Decision Model Analytics ..... 100
Surface Navy Seamanship and Skills Assessment .................................... 101
Other Matters ................................................................................................... 101
Civilian Participation in War Games .......................................................... 101
Community Integration Programs ............................................................... 102
Counter Drone Center of Excellence ........................................................... 102
Military Working Dogs ................................................................................. 103
Mishap Reporting and Data Analysis ......................................................... 103
Navy Museum and Historical Exchanges ................................................... 104
United States Coast Guard Defense Readiness Resource Allocation ....... 104
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 105
Subtitle A—Authorization of Appropriations ................................................. 105
Section 301—Authorization of Appropriations ........................................... 105
Subtitle B—Energy and Environment ............................................................ 105
Section 311—Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Clearing-
house for Review of Mission Obstructions .............................................. 105
Section 312—Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Clearing-
house for Review of Mission Obstructions .............................................. 105
Section 313—Agreements to Limit Encroachments and Other Con-
straints on Military Training, Testing, and Operations ........................ 106
Section 314—Modification of Department of Defense Environmental
Restoration Authorities to Include Federal Government Facilities
Used by National Guard ........................................................................... 106
Section 315—Increased Transparency through Reporting on Usage and
Spills of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam at Military Installations .......... 106
Section 316—Replacement of Non-Tactical Motor Vehicles at the End
of Service Life with Electric or Hybrid Motor Vehicles .......................... 106
Section 317—Budgeting of Department of Defense Relating to Oper-
ational Energy Improvement .................................................................... 106
Section 318—Assessment of Department of Defense Operational Energy
Usage .......................................................................................................... 106
Section 319—Improvement of the Operational Energy Capability Im-
provement Fund of the Department of Defense ..................................... 106
Section 320—Five-Year Reviews of Containment Technologies Relating
to Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility .................................................... 107
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Section 321—Limitation on Use of Funds for Acquisition of Furnished
Energy for Rhine Ordnance Barracks Army Medical Center ................ 107
Section 322—Requirement to Update Department of Defense Climate
Change Roadmap ...................................................................................... 107
Section 323—Comptroller General Report on Department of Defense
Installation Energy ................................................................................... 107
Section 324—Department of Defense Report on Emissions Levels .......... 107
Section 325—Objectives, Performance Standards, and Criteria for Use
of Wildlife Conservation Banking Programs ........................................... 107
Section 326—Offshore Wind Energy Development, Morro Bay, Cali-
fornia .......................................................................................................... 107
Section 327—Long-Duration Demonstration Initiative and Joint Pro-
gram ........................................................................................................... 108
Section 328—Prizes for Development of Non-PFAS-Containing Fire-
Fighting Agent ........................................................................................... 108
Section 329—Survey of Technologies for Department of Defense Appli-
cation in Phasing Out the Use of Fluorinated Aqueous Film-Forming
Foam ........................................................................................................... 108
Section 330—Interagency Body on Research Related to Per- and Poly-
fluoroalkyl Substances .............................................................................. 108
Section 331—Restriction on Procurement by Defense Logistics Agency
of Certain Items Containing Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Poly-
fluoroalkyl Substances .............................................................................. 108
Section 332—Standards for Removal or Remedial Actions with Respect
to PFOS or PFOA Contamination ............................................................ 108
Section 333—Research and Development of Alternative to Aqueous
Film-Forming Foam .................................................................................. 108
Section 334—Notification to Agricultural Operations Located in Areas
Exposed to Department of Defense PFAS Use ....................................... 109
Section 335—Public Disclosure of Results of Department of Defense
Testing for Perfluoroalkyl or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances ...................... 109
Subtitle C—Logistics and Sustainment .......................................................... 109
Section 351—National Defense Sustainment and Logistics Review ........ 109
Section 352—Extension of Sunset Relating to Charter Air Transporta-
tion Services ............................................................................................... 109
Section 353—Additional Elements for Inclusion in Navy Ship Depot
Maintenance Budget Report ..................................................................... 109
Section 354—Modification to Limitation on Length of Overseas For-
ward Deployment of Naval Vessels ......................................................... 109
Section 355—Independent Advisory Panel on Weapon System Sustain-
ment ............................................................................................................ 110
Section 356—Biannual Briefings on Status of Shipyard Infrastructure
Optimization Plan ..................................................................................... 110
Section 357—Materiel Readiness Metrics and Objectives for Major
Weapon Systems ........................................................................................ 110
Subtitle D—Munitions Safety and Oversight ................................................ 110
Section 361—Chair of Department of Defense Explosive Safety Board ... 110
Section 362—Explosive Ordnance Disposal Defense Program .................. 110
Section 363—Assessment of Resilience of Department of Defense Muni-
tions Enterprise ......................................................................................... 110
Section 364—Report on Safety Waivers and Mishaps in Department
of Defense Munitions Enterprise ............................................................. 111
Subtitle E—Other Matters .............................................................................. 111
Section 371—Pilot Program for Temporary Issuance of Maternity-Re-
lated Uniform Items .................................................................................. 111
Section 372—Servicewomen’s Commemorative Partnerships ................... 111
Section 373—Biodefense Analysis and Budget Submission ...................... 111
TITLE IV—MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS ............................... 111
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 111
Impact of U.S. Population Trends on National Guard Force Structure ... 111
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 112
Subtitle A—Active Forces ................................................................................ 112
Section 401—End Strengths for Active Forces ........................................... 112
Section 402—Revisions in Permanent Active Duty End Strength Min-
imum Levels .............................................................................................. 114
Section 403—Modification of the Authorized Number and Accounting
Method for Senior Enlisted Personnel ..................................................... 114
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Subtitle B—Reserve Forces ............................................................................. 114
Section 411—End Strengths for Selected Reserve ..................................... 114
Section 412—End Strengths for Reserves on Active Duty in Support
of the Reserves ........................................................................................... 116
Section 413—End Strengths for Military Technicians (Dual Status) ....... 118
Section 414—Maximum Number of Reserve Personnel Authorized To
Be on Active Duty for Operational Support ............................................ 120
Subtitle C—Authorization of Appropriations ................................................. 121
Section 421—Military Personnel ................................................................. 121
TITLE V—MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY ..................................................... 121
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 121
A Report on the Military Lending Act and the Effects of High Interest
Rates on Readiness ................................................................................... 121
Air Force Institute of Technology and Space Education Study ................ 121
Concerns about Uncharacterized Discharges ............................................. 122
Disinformation Training Incorporated into Pre-deployment Training ..... 122
Effectiveness of Military Justice Reforms ................................................... 123
Expanding World Language Program to Offer Strategic Language
Training to DODEA Students Earlier ..................................................... 123
Gender Integration at Marine Corps Recruit Depots ................................ 123
Improvements to the Special Victims’ Counsel Program ........................... 124
Military Judge Advocate General End Strength ........................................ 124
Military Spouse Licensure Reciprocity ........................................................ 124
Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Reservation System Modernization ..... 125
Officer and Enlisted Qualification Testing ................................................. 125
Parental Leave Parity for Reservists .......................................................... 126
Participation in Transition Assistance Programs at Small and Remote
Military Installations ................................................................................ 126
Professional Military Education Reform ..................................................... 127
Report on Feasibility of Implementation of Flexible Spending Account
Options for Members of the Uniformed Services and Their Families .. 127
Reserve Component General and Flag Officer Development .................... 128
Reserve Component Record of Service ........................................................ 128
Review of Medical Accessions Standards for Appointment, Enlistment,
or Induction into Military Services .......................................................... 128
Review of the Preservation of the Force and Family Program for Spe-
cial Operations Forces ............................................................................... 129
Sexual Assault Information Management System ..................................... 130
Space Force Personnel .................................................................................. 130
United States Space Force Commissioning Programs ............................... 131
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 131
Subtitle A—Officer Personnel Policy .............................................................. 131
Section 501—Authorized Strength: Exclusion of Certain General and
Flag Officers of the Reserve Components on Active Duty ..................... 131
Section 502—Diversity in Selection Boards ................................................ 132
Section 503—Redaction of Personally Identifiable Information from
Records Furnished to a Promotion Board ............................................... 132
Subtitle B—Reserve Component Management .............................................. 132
Section 511—Grants to Support STEM Education in the Junior Reserve
Officers’ Training Corps ............................................................................ 132
Section 512—Modification of Education Loan Repayment Program for
Members of Selected Reserve ................................................................... 132
Section 513—Requirement of Consent of the Chief Executive Officer
for Certain Full-Time National Guard Duty Performed in a State,
Territory, or the District of Columbia ..................................................... 132
Section 514—Constructive Credit for Certain Members of the Reserve
Components Who Cannot Complete Minimum Annual Training Re-
quirements as a Result of the COVID–19 Pandemic ............................. 132
Section 515—Guidance for Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems by the
National Guard .......................................................................................... 132
Section 516—Direct Employment Pilot Program for Certain Members
of the Reserve Components ...................................................................... 133
Section 517—Temporary Limitation on Authority to Transfer, Relocate,
or Dissolve Elements of the Reserve Components of the Air Force ...... 133
Section 518—Pilot Programs in Connection with SROTC Units and
CSPI Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and
Minority Institutions ................................................................................. 133
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Subtitle C—General Service Authorities and Correction of Military
Records ....................................................................................................... 133
Section 521—Temporary Authority to Order Retired Members to Active
Duty in High-Demand, Low-Density Assignments During War or Na-
tional Emergency ....................................................................................... 133
Section 522—Reenlistment Waivers for Persons Separated from the
Armed Forces Who Commit One Misdemeanor Cannabis Offense ....... 133
Section 523—Review of Seaman to Admiral-21 Program; Credit To-
wards Retirement ...................................................................................... 133
Subtitle D—Military Justice and Other Legal Matters ................................ 134
Section 531—Punitive Article on Violent Extremism ................................ 134
Section 532—Preservation of Court-Martial Records ................................ 134
Section 533—Electronic Notarization for Members of the Armed Forces 134
Section 534—Clarifications regarding Scope of Employment and Reem-
ployment Rights of Members of the Uniformed Services ....................... 134
Section 535—Absentee Ballot Tracking Program ...................................... 134
Section 536—Tracking Mechanism and Reporting Requirements for Su-
premacist, Extremist, and Criminal Gang Activity in the Armed
Forces ......................................................................................................... 134
Section 537—Military-Civilian Task Force on Domestic Violence and
Related Information Collection Activities ............................................... 134
Section 538—Actions to Address Military-Connected Child Abuse .......... 135
Section 539—Multidisciplinary Board to Evaluate Suicide Events .......... 135
Subtitle E—Sexual Assault ............................................................................. 135
Section 541—Protection of Attorney-Client Privilege between Victims
and Special Victims’ Counsel ................................................................... 135
Section 542—Authority of Military Judges and Military Magistrates
to Issue Military Court Protective Orders ............................................... 135
Section 543—Additional Bases for Provision of Advice by the Defense
Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct ............. 136
Section 544—Modification of Reporting and Data Collection on Victims
of Sexual Offenses ..................................................................................... 136
Section 545—Modification of Annual Report regarding Sexual Assaults
Involving Members of the Armed Forces ................................................. 136
Section 546—Coordination of Support for Survivors of Sexual Trauma .. 136
Section 547—Policy on Separation of Victim and Accused at Military
Service Academies ..................................................................................... 136
Section 548—Safe-to-Report Policy Applicable across the Armed Forces 137
Section 549—Question in Workplace and Gender Relations Surveys
regarding Prosecutions of Sexual Assault ............................................... 137
Section 549A—Pilot Program on Prosecution of Special Victim Offenses
Committed by Attendees of Military Service Academies ....................... 137
Section 549B—Report on Status of Investigations of Alleged Sex-Re-
lated Offenses ............................................................................................ 137
Subtitle F—Member Education, Training, and Transition ........................... 137
Section 551—Counseling in the Transition Assistance Program regard-
ing Sexual Assault, Sexual or Gender Harassment, and Intimate
Partner Violence ........................................................................................ 137
Section 552—Establishment of Mentoring and Career Counseling Pro-
gram ........................................................................................................... 138
Section 553—Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center ...... 138
Section 554—Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center ...... 138
Section 555—Increase in Number of Permanent Professors at the
United States Air Force Academy ............................................................ 138
Section 556—Information on Nominations and Applications for Military
Service Academies ..................................................................................... 138
Section 557—Transformation of the Professional Military Education
Enterprise .................................................................................................. 138
Section 558—College of International Security Affairs of the National
Defense University .................................................................................... 138
Section 559—Public-Private Consortium to Improve Professional Mili-
tary Education ........................................................................................... 139
Subtitle G—Military Family Readiness and Dependents’ Education .......... 139
Section 561—Family Readiness: Definitions; Communication Strategy;
Report ......................................................................................................... 139
Section 562—Support Services for Members of Special Operations
Forces and Immediate Family Members ................................................. 139
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Section 563—Authority to Provide Assistance to Certain In-Home Child
Care Providers for Members of the Armed Forces and Survivors
of Members Who Die in Combat in the Line of Duty ............................. 139
Section 564—Expansion of Financial Assistance under My Career Ad-
vancement Account Program .................................................................... 139
Section 565—Child Care .............................................................................. 139
Section 566—Continuation of Paid Parental Leave upon Death of Child 140
Section 567—Study and Report on the Performance of the Department
of Defense Education Activity .................................................................. 140
Section 568—Comptroller General of the United States Report on the
Structural Condition of Department of Defense Education Activity
Schools ........................................................................................................ 140
Section 569—Pilot Program to Expand Eligibility for Enrollment at
Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools ..................... 140
Section 569A—Continued Assistance to Schools with Significant Num-
bers of Military Dependent Students ...................................................... 140
Section 569B—Standardization of the Exceptional Family Member Pro-
gram ........................................................................................................... 140
Subtitle H—Diversity and Inclusion ............................................................... 141
Section 571—Diversity and Inclusion Reporting Requirements ............... 141
Section 572—Establishment of Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Coun-
cil of the Department of Defense ............................................................. 141
Section 573—Establishment of Special Inspector General for Racial
and Ethnic Disparities in the Armed Forces; Amendments to Inspec-
tor General Act .......................................................................................... 141
Section 574—Questions regarding Racism, Anti-Semitism, and Suprem-
acism in Workplace Surveys Administered by the Secretary of De-
fense ........................................................................................................... 141
Section 575—Report on Demographics of Officers Appointed to Certain
Grades ........................................................................................................ 141
Section 576—Plans to Increase Female and Minority Representation
in the Armed Forces .................................................................................. 141
Section 577—Evaluation of Barriers to Minority Participation in Cer-
tain Units of the Armed Forces ................................................................ 142
Subtitle I—Decorations and Awards ............................................................... 142
Section 581—Establishment of the Atomic Veterans Service Medal ........ 142
Section 582—Authorization for Award of the Distinguished-Service
Cross for Ramiro F. Olivo for Acts of Valor during the Vietnam
War ............................................................................................................. 142
Subtitle J—Miscellaneous Reports and Other Matters ................................. 142
Section 591—Expansion of Department of Defense STARBASE Pro-
gram ........................................................................................................... 142
Section 592—Inclusion of Certain Outlying Areas in the Department
of Defense STARBASE Program .............................................................. 142
Section 593—Prohibition on Charging for or Counting Certain Acro-
nyms on Headstones of Individuals Interred at Arlington National
Cemetery .................................................................................................... 142
Section 594—Report on Placement of Members of the Armed Forces
in Academic Status Who Are Victims of Sexual Assault onto Non-
Rated Periods ............................................................................................. 143
Section 595—Sense of Congress regarding Advertising Recruiting Ef-
forts ............................................................................................................ 143
TITLE VI—COMPENSATION AND OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS .......... 143
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 143
Department of Defense Impact Aid Program Report ................................. 143
Disabled Service Member Transition Assistance ....................................... 143
Military Spouse Employment ....................................................................... 144
Operation of Commissaries during Period of Expiration of Appropria-
tions ............................................................................................................ 144
Private Sector Wage Verification Assessment ............................................ 145
Report on the Advisability of Permitting Military Personnel to Use
Education Benefits for Nontraditional Cyber-Related Education Pro-
grams .......................................................................................................... 146
Transitional Compensation .......................................................................... 146
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 147
Subtitle A—Pay and Allowances ..................................................................... 147
Section 601—Increase in Basic Pay ............................................................ 147
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Section 602—Basic Needs Allowance for Low-Income Regular Members 147
Section 603—Reorganization of Certain Allowances Other Than Travel
and Transportation Allowances ................................................................ 147
Subtitle B—Bonuses and Special Incentive Pays .......................................... 147
Section 611—One-Year Extension of Certain Expiring Bonus and Spe-
cial Pay Authorities ................................................................................... 147
Section 612—Increase in Certain Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay for
Members of the Uniformed Services ........................................................ 147
Section 613—Standardization of Payment of Hazardous Duty Incentive
Pay for Members of the Uniformed Services ........................................... 147
Section 614—Clarification of 30 Days of Continuous Duty on Board
a Ship Required for Family Separation Allowance for Members of
the Uniformed Services ............................................................................. 148
Section 615—Expansion of Reimbursable State Licensure and Certifi-
cation Costs for a Military Spouse Arising from Relocation .................. 148
Subtitle C—Family and Survivor Benefits ..................................................... 148
Section 621—Expansion of Authority to Provide Financial Assistance
to Civilian Providers of Child Care Services or Youth Program Serv-
ices for Survivors of Members of the Armed Forces Who Die in
the Line of Duty ........................................................................................ 148
Section 622—Expansion of Death Gratuity for ROTC Graduates ............ 148
Section 623—Recalculation of Financial Assistance for Providers of
Child Care Services and Youth Program Services for Dependents ....... 148
Section 624—Priority for Certain Military Family Housing to a Member
of the Armed Forces Whose Spouse Agrees to Provide Family Home
Day Care Services ..................................................................................... 148
Section 625—Study on Feasibility of TSP Contributions by Military
Spouses ....................................................................................................... 148
Subtitle D—Defense Resale Matters ............................................................... 149
Section 631—Base Responders Essential Needs and Dining Access ........ 149
Section 632—First Responder Access to Mobile Exchanges ...................... 149
Section 633—Updated Business Case Analysis for Consolidation of the
Defense Resale System ............................................................................. 149
Subtitle E—Other Personnel Benefits ............................................................ 149
Section 641—Maintenance of Funding for Stars and Stripes ................... 149
TITLE VII—HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS ......................................................... 149
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 149
Adult Residential Treatment for Eating Disorders .................................... 149
Behavioral Health Requirements of the Department of Defense ............. 150
Cardiac Arterial Disease Diagnostic Improvements .................................. 151
Creative Arts Therapies ............................................................................... 151
Financial Management of U.S. Army Medical Research and Develop-
ment Command ......................................................................................... 151
Improving Health Care Choices for Severely Injured Service Members .. 152
Military Medical Surge Capacity Partnerships .......................................... 152
Rare Cancer Treatment ................................................................................ 153
Report on Force Plate Technology Utilizing Machine Learning for Im-
proving Combat Readiness ....................................................................... 153
Reporting of Data Related to Accession Standards and Mental Health
History ........................................................................................................ 154
Review on the Existing Department of Defense Capabilities to Operate,
Maintain, and Transport Sterile Clinical, Surgical, and Resuscitative
Capabilities ................................................................................................ 154
Status of Implementation of Guidance for Ensuring Access to Contra-
ception for Service Members .................................................................... 155
Supply Chain Resilience and Critical Supplies Stockpile ......................... 156
Traumatic Brain Injury Preventative Devices ........................................... 157
Ultrasound Technology to Identify Subdermal Injuries in Strangulation
Victims ....................................................................................................... 157
Women’s Comprehensive Health Clinics .................................................... 157
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 158
Subtitle A—TRICARE and Other Health Care Benefits .............................. 158
Section 701—Expansion of Mental Health Assessments for Members
of the Armed Forces .................................................................................. 158
Section 702—Mandatory Referral for Mental Health Evaluation ............ 158
Section 703—Assessments and Testing Relating to Exposure to Per-
fluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances ............................................ 158
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Section 704—Improvement to Breast Cancer Screening ........................... 158
Subtitle B—Health Care Administration ....................................................... 159
Section 711—Protection of the Armed Forces from Infectious Diseases .. 159
Section 712—Inclusion of Drugs, Biological Products, and Critical Med-
ical Supplies in National Security Strategy for National Technology
and Industrial Base ................................................................................... 159
Section 713—Contract Authority of the Uniformed Services University
of the Health Sciences ............................................................................... 159
Section 714—Extension of Organization Requirements for Defense
Health Agency ........................................................................................... 159
Section 715—Modification to Limitation on the Realignment or Reduc-
tion of Military Medical Manning End Strength .................................... 159
Section 716—Modifications to Implementation Plan for Restructure or
Realignment of Military Medical Treatment Facilities .......................... 160
Section 717—Policy to Address Opioid Prescription Abuse Prevention ... 160
Section 718—Addition of Burn Pit Registration to Electronic Health
Records of Members of the Armed Forces and Veterans ....................... 160
Subtitle C—Matters Relating to COVID–19 .................................................. 160
Section 721—COVID–19 Military Health System Review Panel ............. 160
Section 722—COVID–19 Global War on Pandemics .................................. 160
Section 723—Registry of TRICARE Beneficiaries Diagnosed with
COVID–19 .................................................................................................. 161
Subtitle D—Reports and Other Matters ......................................................... 161
Section 731—Modifications to Pilot Program on Civilian and Military
Partnerships to Enhance Interoperability and Medical Surge Capa-
bility and Capacity of National Disaster Medical System ..................... 161
Section 732—Reports on Suicide among Members of the Armed Forces
and Suicide Prevention Programs and Activities of the Department
of Defense ................................................................................................... 161
Section 733—Clarification of Research under Joint Trauma Education
and Training Directorate and Inclusion of Military Working Dogs ...... 161
Section 734—Extension of the Joint Department of Defense-Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Project ....... 161
Section 735—Information Sharing by Secretary of Defense regarding
Prevention of Infant and Maternal Mortality ......................................... 162
Section 736—Grant Program for Increased Cooperation on Post-Trau-
matic Stress Disorder Research between United States and Israel ..... 162
Section 737—Pilot Program on Cryopreservation and Storage ................ 162
Section 738—Pilot Program on Parents Serving as Certified Nursing
Assistants for Children under TRICARE Program ................................ 162
Section 739—Study on Incidence of Cancer Diagnosis and Mortality
among Pilots in the Armed Forces ........................................................... 162
Section 740—Report on Diet and Nutrition of Members of the Armed
Forces ......................................................................................................... 162
Section 741—Report on Costs and Benefits of Allowing Retired Mem-
bers of the Armed Forces to Contribute to Health Savings Accounts ... 163
Section 742—Study on Toxic Exposure at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base,
Uzbekistan ................................................................................................. 163
Section 743—Audit of Medical Conditions of Tenants in Privatized
Military Housing ....................................................................................... 163
Section 744—Report on Integrated Disability Evaluation System ........... 163
Section 745—Review and Report on Prevention of Suicide among Mem-
bers of the Armed Forces Stationed at Remote Installations outside
the Contiguous United States .................................................................. 163
Subtitle E—Mental Health Services from Department of Veterans Affairs
for Members of Reserve Components ...................................................... 164
Section 751—Short Title .............................................................................. 164
Section 752—Expansion of Eligibility for Readjustment Counseling and
related Outpatient Services from Department of Veterans Affairs
to Include Members of Reserve Components of the Armed Forces ....... 164
Section 753—Provision of Mental Health Services from Department
of Veterans Affairs to Members of Reserve Components of the Armed
Forces ......................................................................................................... 164
Section 754—Inclusion of Members of Reserve Components in Mental
Health Programs of Department of Veterans Affairs ............................. 164
Section 755—Report on Mental Health and Related Services Provided
by Department of Veterans Affairs to Members of the Armed Forces . 164
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TITLE VIII—ACQUISITION POLICY, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND
RELATED MATTERS ...................................................................................... 165
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 165
Assessment of Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2019 .................................................................................. 165
Briefing on Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2019 .................................................................................. 165
Commercial Airlift Review Board Requirements ....................................... 166
Commercial Items Group Supporting Procuring Contracting Officers
in Making Commercial Item Determinations ......................................... 166
Commercial Supply Stores ........................................................................... 167
Compliance with Contract Services Planning, Programming, and Budg-
eting Requirements and Statutory Limitations on Outsourcing Gov-
ernment Jobs ............................................................................................. 167
Consistency in the Management and Execution of Audits of Contractor
Business System Reviews Conducted by the Defense Contract Audit
Agency ........................................................................................................ 168
COVID–19 Uniformed Mask Distribution to Service Members ................ 169
Department of Defense Proposal for Reports on Acquisition Programs
and Activities ............................................................................................. 169
Efforts to Improve the Domestic Nonavailability Waiver Process ............ 170
Efforts to Streamline the Internal Control Audit Framework Used to
Evaluate Contractor Business Systems ................................................... 170
Evaluating Possibility of Conflicts of Interest for Federally Funded
Research and Development Centers ........................................................ 170
GAO Report on GSA E-commerce Portal Data Usage ............................... 171
GAO Report on Time-and-Materials and Labor-Hour Contracts .............. 171
Incremental Funding of Services Contracts ............................................... 172
Plan To Address Obsolete MIL–PRF–19500 Discrete Parts ..................... 172
Procurement Technical Assistance Program Management and Over-
sight ............................................................................................................ 173
Report on Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification ............................. 173
Report on Source Content Supplier for Major Defense Acquisition Pro-
grams .......................................................................................................... 174
Secure Supply Chain for Niobium ............................................................... 174
Sensor Open Systems Architecture and C4ISR Modular Open Suite
of Standards Military Standards Initiative ............................................. 175
Status of Implementing Regulations Related to Procurement Adminis-
trative Lead Times .................................................................................... 176
Strategic and Critical Materials in Department of Defense Industrial
Base ............................................................................................................ 176
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 177
Subtitle A—Acquisition Policy and Management .......................................... 177
Section 801—Congressional Notification of Termination of a Middle
Tier Acquisition Program ......................................................................... 177
Section 802—Modification to the Definition of Nontraditional Defense
Contractor .................................................................................................. 177
Section 803—Major Weapon Systems: Life-Cycle Sustainment Plan ....... 177
Section 804—Contractor Business Systems ................................................ 177
Section 805—Acquisition Authority of the Director of the Joint Artifi-
cial Intelligence Center ............................................................................. 178
Section 806—Reforming the Department of Defense ................................. 178
Section 807—Alternative Space Acquisition System for the United
States Space Force .................................................................................... 178
Subtitle B—Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures,
and Limitations ......................................................................................... 178
Section 811—Sustainment Reform for the Department of Defense .......... 178
Section 812—Modifications to Comptroller General Assessment of Ac-
quisition Programs and Related Initiatives ............................................ 178
Section 813—Contractor Whistleblower Protections Relating to Non-
disclosure Agreements .............................................................................. 178
Section 814—Competition Requirements for Purchases from Federal
Prison Industries ....................................................................................... 179
Section 815—Disclosure of Beneficial Owners in Database for Federal
Agency Contract and Grant Officers ....................................................... 179
Section 816—Inclusion of Optical Transmission Components in the An-
alytical Framework for Supply Chain Risks ........................................... 179
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Section 817—Amendment to Definition of Qualified Apprentice .............. 179
Section 818—Contract Closeout Authority for Services Contracts ........... 179
Section 819—Plan to Improve Department-wide Management of Invest-
ments in Weapon Systems ........................................................................ 179
Subtitle C—Industrial Base Matters .............................................................. 180
Section 821—Quarterly National Technology and Industrial Base Brief-
ings ............................................................................................................. 180
Section 822—Expansion on the Prohibition on Acquiring Certain Metal
Products ..................................................................................................... 180
Section 823—Requirement that Certain Ship Components Be Manufac-
tured in the National Technology and Industrial Base ......................... 180
Section 824—Preference for Sourcing Rare Earth Materials from the
National Technology and Industrial Base ............................................... 180
Section 825—Enhanced Domestic Content Requirement for Major De-
fense Acquisition Programs ...................................................................... 180
Section 826—Additional Requirements Pertaining to Printed Circuit
Boards ........................................................................................................ 180
Section 827—Report on Use of Domestic Nonavailability Determina-
tions ............................................................................................................ 181
Section 828—Sense of Congress on the Prohibition on Certain Tele-
communications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment .......... 181
Subtitle D—Small Business Matters .............................................................. 181
Section 831—Transfer of Verification of Small Business Concerns
Owned and Controlled by Veterans or Service-Disabled Veterans to
the Small Business Administration ......................................................... 181
Section 832—Equitable Adjustments to Certain Construction Contracts 181
Section 833—Exemption of Certain Contracts Awarded to Small Busi-
ness Concerns from Category Management Requirements ................... 181
Section 834—Report on Accelerated Payments to Certain Small Busi-
ness Concerns ............................................................................................ 182
Subtitle E—Other Matters .............................................................................. 182
Section 841—Modifications to Supervision and Award of Certain Con-
tracts .......................................................................................................... 182
Section 842—Amendments to Submissions to Congress Relating to Cer-
tain Foreign Military Sales ...................................................................... 182
Section 843—Revisions to Requirement to Use Firm Fixed-Price Con-
tracts for Foreign Military Sales .............................................................. 182
Section 844—Small Business Industrial Base Resiliency Program .......... 182
Section 845—Requirements Relating to Reports and Limitations on
the Availability of Funds .......................................................................... 183
Section 846—Assessment of the Requirements Processes of the Military
Departments .............................................................................................. 183
Section 847—Report on Transfer and Consolidation of Certain Defense
Acquisition Statutes .................................................................................. 183
TITLE IX—DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGE-
MENT ................................................................................................................ 184
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 184
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space and Strategic Deterrence ........ 184
Implementation of the Directed Roles and Responsibilities of the Assist-
ant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity
Conflict ....................................................................................................... 184
U.S. Special Operations Command Force Structure and Organization ... 185
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 185
Subtitle A—Office of the Secretary of Defense and Related Matters .......... 185
Section 901—Repeal of Position of Chief Management Officer ................. 185
Section 902—Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy . 186
Subtitle B—Other Department of Defense Organization and Management
Matters ....................................................................................................... 186
Section 911—Limitation on Reduction of Civilian Workforce ................... 186
Section 912—Chief Diversity Officers ......................................................... 186
Section 913—Establishment of Deputy Assistant Secretaries for Sus-
tainment ..................................................................................................... 186
Section 914—Office of Defense Community Cooperation and Economic
Adjustment ................................................................................................. 186
Section 915—Input from Chief of National Guard Bureau to the Joint
Requirements Oversight Council ............................................................. 187
Section 916—Redesignation of the Joint Forces Staff College .................. 187
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Subtitle C—Space Matters .............................................................................. 187
Section 921—Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space and Strategic
Deterrence Policy ....................................................................................... 187
Section 922—Office of the Chief of Space Operations ............................... 187
Section 923—Space Force Medal ................................................................. 187
Section 924—Clarification of Procurement of Commercial Satellite
Communications Services ......................................................................... 187
Section 925—Temporary Exemption from Authorized Daily Average
of Members in Pay Grade E–8 and E–9 .................................................. 187
Section 926—One-Time Uniform Allowance for Members Transferred
to the Space Force ..................................................................................... 187
TITLE X—GENERAL PROVISIONS ..................................................................... 188
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 188
Other Matters ................................................................................................... 188
Airfield Capabilities in GPS Denied Environments ................................... 188
Audit Accountability ..................................................................................... 188
Audit Innovation ........................................................................................... 188
Close Combat Lethality Task Force ............................................................ 189
Implementation of Findings and Recommendations of the 2020 U.S.
Special Operations Command Comprehensive Review .......................... 189
Presentation of Defense Budget Materials ................................................. 190
Prioritizing Material Weaknesses ............................................................... 191
Report on Audit Expertise in Remediation Services .................................. 191
Report on Service Consolidation of General Ledger Financial Manage-
ment Systems ............................................................................................ 191
Reserve Components and National Guard Units Supporting Special
Operations Command Operational and Training Requirements ........... 192
United Service Organizations and Identification Cards ............................ 192
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 193
Subtitle A—Financial Matters ........................................................................ 193
Section 1001—General Transfer Authority ................................................ 193
Section 1002—Determination of Budgetary Effects ................................... 193
Section 1003—Pandemic Preparedness and Resilience National Secu-
rity Fund .................................................................................................... 193
Section 1004—Budget Materials for Special Operations Forces ............... 194
Subtitle B—Counterdrug Activities ................................................................ 194
Section 1011—Support for Counterdrug Activities and Activities to
Counter Transnational Organized Crime Affecting Flow of Drugs
into the United States ............................................................................... 194
Section 1012—Congressional Notification with Respect to Department
of Defense Support Provided to Other United States Agencies for
Counterdrug Activities and Activities to Counter Transnational Orga-
nized Crime ................................................................................................ 194
Subtitle C—Naval Vessels ............................................................................... 194
Section 1021—Limitation on Availability of Certain Funds without
Naval Vessels Plan and Certification ...................................................... 194
Section 1022—Limitations on Use of Funds in the National Defense
Sealift Fund for Purchase of Foreign Constructed Vessels .................... 194
Section 1023—Use of National Sea-Based Deterrence Fund for Incre-
mentally Funded Contracts to Provide Full Funding for Columbia
Class Submarines ...................................................................................... 194
Section 1024—Preference for United States Vessels in Transporting
Supplies by Sea ......................................................................................... 195
Section 1025—Restrictions on Overhaul, Repair, etc. of Naval Vessels
in Foreign Shipyards ................................................................................. 195
Section 1026—Biannual Report on Shipbuilder Training and the De-
fense Industrial Base ................................................................................ 195
Section 1027—Prohibition on Use of Funds for Retirement of Certain
Littoral Combat Ships ............................................................................... 195
Section 1028—Report on Implementation of Commandant’s Planning
Guidance .................................................................................................... 195
Section 1029—Limitation on Naval Force Structure Changes ................. 195
Subtitle D—Counterterrorism ......................................................................... 195
Section 1031—Prohibition on Use of Funds for Transfer or Release
of Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba, to Certain Countries .............................................................. 195
Subtitle E—Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations ............................... 196
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Section 1041—Support of Special Operations to Combat Terrorism ........ 196
Section 1042—Prohibition on Retirement of Nuclear Powered Aircraft
Carriers before First Refueling ................................................................ 196
Section 1043—Required Minimum Inventory of Tactical Airlift Aircraft 196
Section 1044—Modification and Technical Correction to Department
of Defense Authority to Provide Assistance along the Southern Land
Border of the United States ..................................................................... 196
Section 1045—Battlefield Airborne Communications Node Certification
Requirement .............................................................................................. 196
Section 1046—Requirements Relating to Newest Generations of Per-
sonal Protective Equipment ...................................................................... 197
Section 1047—Mandatory Criteria for Strategic Basing Decisions .......... 197
Section 1047—Prohibition on Use of Funds for Retirement of A–10
Aircraft ....................................................................................................... 197
Section 1048—Limitation on Use of Funds Pending Public Availability
of Top-Line Numbers of Deployed Members of the Armed Forces ........ 197
Section 1049—Limitation on Physical Move, Integration, Reassignment,
or Shift in Responsibility of Marine Forces Northern Command .......... 197
Section 1050—Conditions for Permanently Basing United States Equip-
ment or Additional Forces in Host Countries with At-Risk Vendors
in 5G or 6G Networks ............................................................................... 198
TITLE XI—CIVILIAN PERSONNEL MATTERS ................................................. 198
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 198
Defense Finance and Accounting Service ................................................... 198
General Schedule Locality Pay Program .................................................... 199
Report on Denial of Security Clearances .................................................... 199
Report on Improving Equal Employment Opportunity Processes in the
Department of Defense ............................................................................. 200
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 200
Subtitle A—General Provisions ....................................................................... 200
Section 1101—Family and Medical Leave Amendments ........................... 200
Section 1102—Limitation on Authority to Exclude Employees from
Chapter 71 of Title 5 ................................................................................. 200
Section 1103—Authority to Provide Travel and Transportation Allow-
ances in Connection with Transfer Ceremonies of Department of
Defense and Coast Guard Civilian Employees Who Die Overseas ....... 200
Section 1104—One-Year Extension of Authority to Waive Annual Limi-
tation on Premium Pay and Aggregate Limitation on Pay for Federal
Civilian Employees Working Overseas .................................................... 201
Section 1105—One-Year Extension of Temporary Authority to Grant
Allowances, Benefits, and Gratuities to Civilian Personnel on Official
Duty in a Combat Zone ............................................................................. 201
Section 1106—Limiting the Number of Local Wage Areas Defined with-
in a Pay Locality ........................................................................................ 201
Section 1107—Civilian Faculty at the Defense Security Cooperation
University and Institute of Security Governance ................................... 201
Section 1108—Expansion of Authority for Appointment of Recently-
Retired Members of the Armed Forces to Positions at Certain Indus-
trial Base Facilities ................................................................................... 201
Section 1109—Fire Fighters Alternative Work Schedule Demonstration
Project ........................................................................................................ 201
Section 1110—Special Rules for Certain Monthly Workers’ Compensa-
tion Payments and Other Payments for Federal Government Per-
sonnel under Chief of Mission Authority ................................................ 202
Subtitle B—Elijah E. Cummings Federal Employee Antidiscrimination
Act of 2020 ................................................................................................. 202
Section 1121—Short Title ............................................................................ 202
Section 1122—Sense of Congress ................................................................ 202
Section 1123—Notification of Violation ...................................................... 202
Section 1124—Reporting Requirements ...................................................... 202
Section 1125—Data To Be Posted by Employing Federal Agencies ......... 202
Section 1126—Data To Be Posted by the Equal Employment Oppor-
tunity Commission .................................................................................... 202
Section 1127—Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination
and Retaliation Act of 2002 Amendments ............................................... 202
Section 1128—Nondisclosure Agreement Limitation ................................. 203
TITLE XII—MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN NATIONS .......................... 203
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ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 203
Assessment on Acceding to United Nations Convention on Law of the
Seas ............................................................................................................ 203
Authorities for U.S. Military Personnel in Syria ....................................... 204
Briefing from the United States-China Economic and Security Review
Commission on Cooperation with Similar Organizations among U.S.
Allies and Partners ................................................................................... 204
Briefing on Nation-State Election Interference Efforts ............................. 205
Briefing on the Consequences of Capping the Number of U.S. Service
Members Stationed in Germany at 25,000 ............................................. 205
Briefing on the New START Treaty ............................................................ 206
Co-Development of Next Generation Ground-Based Anti-Ship Missile ... 206
Department of Defense Involvement in Embassy China Working
Groups ........................................................................................................ 207
Efforts to Implement the Foreign Investment Risk Review Moderniza-
tion Act ....................................................................................................... 207
Indo-Pacific Reassurance Initiative ............................................................. 208
Military Exchanges between Senior Officers and Officials of the United
States and Taiwan .................................................................................... 209
Modernized Operational Concepts and the Indo-Pacific ............................ 210
North Korea’s Chemical and Biological Weapons Capabilities ................. 210
Report on Activities and Resources Necessary to Achieve the Objectives
of the Indo-Pacific Reassurance Initiative .............................................. 211
Report on Department of Defense Strategy for Competition below the
Threshold of Armed Conflict .................................................................... 212
Report on the Use of Unmanned Platforms to Improve Taiwan’s Self-
Defense Capability .................................................................................... 213
Report on Ties between Russia and China ................................................. 214
Security Sector Assistance Training for Foreign Students ....................... 214
Taiwan Defense Relations ............................................................................ 215
United States Strategy on China ................................................................ 216
Utilization of Smaller Vessels in Indo-Pacific Area of Operations ........... 216
West African Airlift Support ........................................................................ 216
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 217
Subtitle A—Assistance and Training .............................................................. 217
Section 1201—Modification and Extension of Support of Special Oper-
ations for Irregular Warfare ..................................................................... 217
Section 1202—Department of Defense Participation in European Pro-
gram on Multilateral Exchange of Surface Transportation Services .... 217
Section 1203—Extension of Authority to Transfer Excess High Mobility
Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles to Foreign Countries ........................... 217
Section 1204—Modification and Extension of Update of Department
of Defense Freedom of Navigation Report ............................................... 217
Section 1205—Extension of Report on Workforce Development ............... 218
Subtitle B—Matters Relating to Afghanistan and Pakistan ........................ 218
Section 1211—Extension and Modification of Authority for Reimburse-
ment of Certain Coalition Nations for Support Provided to United
States Military Operations ....................................................................... 218
Section 1212—Extension of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Pro-
gram ........................................................................................................... 218
Section 1213—Limitation on Use of Funds to Reduce Deployment to
Afghanistan ................................................................................................ 218
Section 1214—Report on Operation Freedom Sentinel ............................. 218
Subtitle C—Matters Relating to Syria, Iraq, and Iran ................................. 219
Section 1221—Extension and Modification of Authority to Provide As-
sistance to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ........................ 219
Section 1222—Extension of Authority to Provide Assistance to the Vet-
ted Syrian Opposition ............................................................................... 219
Section 1223—Extension of Authority to Support Operations and Ac-
tivities of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq ............................. 219
Section 1224—Prohibition on Provision of Weapons and Other Forms
of Support to Certain Organizations ........................................................ 219
Section 1225—Consolidated Budget Display and Report on Operation
Spartan Shield ........................................................................................... 220
Section 1226—Sense of Congress on Peshmerga Forces as a Partner
in Operation Inherent Resolve ................................................................. 220
Subtitle D—Matters Relating to Russia ......................................................... 220
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Section 1231—Prohibition on Availability of Funds Relating to Sov-
ereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea .................................... 220
Section 1232—Extension of Limitation on Military Cooperation between
the United States and the Russian Federation ...................................... 220
Section 1233—Modification and Extension of Ukraine Security Assist-
ance Initiative ............................................................................................ 221
Section 1234—United States Participation in the Open Skies Treaty ..... 221
Subtitle E—Matters Relating to Europe and NATO ..................................... 222
Section 1241—Limitations on Use of Funds to Reduce the Total Num-
ber of Members of the Armed Forces Serving on Active Duty Who
Are Stationed in Germany, to Reduce the Total Number of Members
of the Armed Forces Stationed in Europe, and to Divest Military
Infrastructure in Europe .......................................................................... 222
Section 1242—Sense of Congress on Support for Coordinated Action
to Ensure the Security of Baltic Allies .................................................... 222
Section 1243—Sense of Congress on Support for Estonia, Latvia, and
Lithuania ................................................................................................... 222
Section 1244—Sense of Congress on Support for Georgia ......................... 222
Section 1245—Sense of Congress on Burden Sharing by Partners and
Allies ........................................................................................................... 222
Section 1246—Sense of Congress on NATO’s Response to the COVID–
19 Pandemic ............................................................................................... 222
Subtitle F—Matters Relating to the Indo-Pacific Region .............................. 223
Section 1251—Indo-Pacific Reassurance Initiative .................................... 223
Section 1252—Limitation on Use of Funds to Reduce the Total Number
of Members of the Armed Forces Serving on Active Duty Who Are
Deployed to South Korea .......................................................................... 223
Section 1253—Implementation of GAO Recommendations on Prepared-
ness of United States Forces to Counter North Korean Chemical
and Biological Weapons ............................................................................ 223
Section 1254—Public Reporting of Chinese Military Companies Oper-
ating in the United States ........................................................................ 224
Section 1255—Independent Study on the Defense Industrial Base of
the People’s Republic of China ................................................................. 224
Section 1256—Report on China’s One Belt, One Road Initiative in
Africa .......................................................................................................... 224
Section 1257—Sense of Congress on Enhancement of the United States-
Taiwan Defense Relationship ................................................................... 224
Section 1258—Report on Supply Chain Security Cooperation with Tai-
wan ............................................................................................................. 224
Section 1259—Report on United States-Taiwan Medical Security Part-
nership ....................................................................................................... 224
Subtitle G—Other Matters .............................................................................. 225
Section 1261—Provision of Goods and Services to Kwajalein Atoll ......... 225
Section 1262—Annual Briefing on Certain Foreign Military Bases of
Adversaries ................................................................................................ 225
Section 1263—Report on Progress of the Department of Defense with
Respect to Denying a Fait Accompli by a Strategic Competitor
against a Covered Defense Partner ......................................................... 225
Section 1264—Modification to Requirements of the Initiative to Support
Protection of National Security Academic Researchers from Undue
Influence and Other Security Threats ..................................................... 225
Section 1265—Report on Directed Use of Fishing Fleets .......................... 225
Section 1266—Expanding the State Partnership Program in Africa ....... 226
Section 1267—Report Relating to Reduction in the Total Number of
United States Armed Forces Deployed to United States Africa Com-
mand Area of Responsibility .................................................................... 226
Section 1268—Report on Enhancing Partnerships between the United
States and African Countries ................................................................... 226
Section 1269—Sense of Congress with Respect to Qatar .......................... 226
Section 1270—Sense of Congress on United States Military Support
for and Participation in the Multinational Force and Observers .......... 226
Section 1271—Prohibition on Support for Military Participation against
the Houthis ................................................................................................ 226
Section 1272—Rule of Construction Relating to Use of Military Force ... 227
TITLE XIII—COOPERATIVE THREAT REDUCTION ....................................... 227
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 227
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Importance of the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program ...................... 227
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 227
Section 1301—Funding Allocations; Specification of Cooperative Threat
Reduction Funds ........................................................................................ 227
TITLE XIV—OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS ........................................................... 228
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 228
Subtitle A—Military Programs ........................................................................ 228
Section 1401—Working Capital Funds ....................................................... 228
Section 1402—Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Defense .... 228
Section 1403—Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, Defense-
Wide ............................................................................................................ 228
Section 1404—Defense Inspector General .................................................. 228
Section 1405—Defense Health Program ..................................................... 228
Section 1406—National Defense Sealift Fund ............................................ 228
Subtitle B—Other Matters .............................................................................. 228
Section 1411—Authority for Transfer of Funds to Joint Department
of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Dem-
onstration Fund for Captain James A. Lovell Health Care Center,
Illinois ........................................................................................................ 228
Section 1412—Authorization of Appropriations for Armed Forces Re-
tirement Home ........................................................................................... 229
TITLE XV—AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR
OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS ............................................... 229
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 229
National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account ..................................... 229
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 229
Subtitle A—Authorization of Appropriations ................................................. 229
Section 1501—Purpose ................................................................................. 229
Section 1502—Procurement ......................................................................... 230
Section 1503—Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation .................. 230
Section 1504—Operation and Maintenance ................................................ 230
Section 1505—Military Personnel ............................................................... 230
Section 1506—Working Capital Funds ....................................................... 230
Section 1507—Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, Defense-
Wide ............................................................................................................ 230
Section 1508—Defense Inspector General .................................................. 230
Section 1509—Defense Health Program ..................................................... 230
Subtitle B—Financial Matters ........................................................................ 230
Section 1511—Treatment as Additional Authorizations ........................... 230
Section 1512—Special Transfer Authority .................................................. 231
Subtitle C—Other Matters .............................................................................. 231
Section 1521—Afghanistan Security Forces Fund ..................................... 231
TITLE XVI—STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, CYBER, AND INTELLIGENCE
MATTERS ......................................................................................................... 231
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 231
Space Activities ................................................................................................. 231
Army GEOINT .............................................................................................. 231
Cislunar Space Capabilities ......................................................................... 231
Commercial Space-Based Radio Frequency Mapping ................................ 232
Digital Ground Satellite Communications Architecture ............................ 232
Intelligence Community and Space Situational Awareness ...................... 233
Military Application of LiDAR Satellites .................................................... 233
Mission Assurance in Launch ...................................................................... 233
National Reconnaissance Office Future Commercial Sources of Satellite
Imagery ...................................................................................................... 234
Non-Traditional Space Companies .............................................................. 235
Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Enterprise Moderni-
zation .......................................................................................................... 235
Policy and Technology Review on Minimizing Orbital Debris Threats .... 236
Program to Improve Launch Support and Infrastructure at Federal
Ranges ........................................................................................................ 236
Satellite Solar Power Technology Sourcing ................................................ 237
Sensor-to-Shooter Tactical Satellite Targeting Support to Deep Strike
Weapons ..................................................................................................... 237
Space Acquisition .......................................................................................... 238
Space Development Agency .......................................................................... 238
Space-Based Broadband and Cellular Technologies .................................. 239
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Terrestrial Based Backup for GPS .............................................................. 239
Weather Acquisition Strategy ...................................................................... 240
Missile Defense Programs ................................................................................ 241
Ballistic Missile Defense System Advanced Technology Mission Assess-
ment Architecture ..................................................................................... 241
Boost Phase Missile Defense ........................................................................ 241
Missile Defense Agency High-Speed Flight Experiment Testing ............. 242
Report on Arctic Distant Early Warning Sites ........................................... 242
Report on Discrimination Improvements to the Missile Defense System 242
Nuclear Forces .................................................................................................. 243
Air Force Global Strike Command Technology Innovation and Collabo-
ration .......................................................................................................... 243
Manning and Personnel Optimization for Air Force Global Strike Com-
mand and Ground-Based Strategic Deterrence Program ...................... 244
Nuclear Employment, Strategic Conventional Strike, and the Law of
Armed Conflict ........................................................................................... 244
Potential Delays to Nuclear Modernization ................................................ 245
Requirements Planning for Nuclear Complex and Nuclear Enterprise ... 246
Use of Artificial Intelligence at U.S. Strategic Command ......................... 246
Cyber-Related Matters ..................................................................................... 247
21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act ........................................ 247
Consolidated Defense Data Program ........................................................... 248
Cyber Excepted Service ................................................................................ 248
Cyber Maturity Model Certification ............................................................ 248
Cyber Mission Assurance Team Pilot Program .......................................... 249
Department of Defense’s Use of Efficient Peering Sites ............................ 249
Digital Persona Protection ........................................................................... 249
Fourth Estate Network Optimization ......................................................... 250
GAO Assessment on DOD Cyber Incident Management Efforts .............. 250
GAO Study and Report on Electronic Continuity of Operations on the
Department of Defense ............................................................................. 251
Improving the Cybersecurity of Disadvantaged Small Businesses in
the Defense Industrial Base ..................................................................... 252
Information Environment Best Practices and Audience Segmentation
Methodologies ............................................................................................ 252
Information Technology Asset Management and Inventory ..................... 253
Internet Architecture Security ..................................................................... 253
Joint Artificial Intelligence Center Outreach to the Private Sector ......... 254
National Guard Access to Classified Information ...................................... 254
Report and GAO Briefing on DOD Cyber Hygiene and Cybersecurity
Maturity Model Certification Framework ............................................... 254
Report on the Security of DOD Networks while Expanding Remote
Work for Classified Information and Data .............................................. 255
Report on Use of Automated Manufacturing Technologies ....................... 256
Supporting Innovation for Servicemember and Family Readiness and
Resiliency ................................................................................................... 256
Intelligence Matters ......................................................................................... 257
Department of Defense Artificial Intelligence Capabilities and Strategy 257
Funding for Research into Long-Range Weather Patterns ....................... 257
Joint Intelligence Brigade ............................................................................ 258
National Center for Medical Intelligence of the Defense Intelligence
Agency Responsibilities ............................................................................. 258
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 259
Subtitle A—Space Activities ............................................................................ 259
Section 1601—National Security Space Launch Program ......................... 259
Section 1602—Requirement to Buy Certain Satellite Component from
National Technology and Industrial Base ............................................... 259
Section 1603—Commercial Space Domain Awareness Capabilities ......... 260
Section 1604—Responsive Satellite Infrastructure .................................... 260
Section 1605—Policy to Ensure Launch of Small-Class Payloads ............ 260
Section 1606—Tactically Responsive Space Launch Operations .............. 260
Section 1607—Limitation on Availability of Funds for Prototype Pro-
gram for Multi-Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver Develop-
ment ............................................................................................................ 261
Section 1608—Limitation on Awarding Contracts to Entities Operating
Commercial Terrestrial Communication Networks That Cause Inter-
ference with the Global Positioning System ........................................... 261
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Section 1609—Prohibition on the Availability of Funds for Certain Pur-
poses Relating to the Global Positioning System ................................... 261
Section 1610—Report on Resilient Protected Communications Satel-
lites ............................................................................................................. 261
Subtitle B—Defense Intelligence and Intelligence-Related Activities ......... 261
Section 1611—Validation of Capability Requirements of National Geo-
spatial-Intelligence Agency ....................................................................... 261
Section 1612—Safety of Navigation Mission of the National Geospatial-
Intelligence Agency ................................................................................... 262
Section 1613—National Academies Climate Security Roundtable ........... 262
Section 1614—Report on Risk to National Security Posed by Quantum
Computing Technologies ........................................................................... 262
Subtitle C—Cyberspace-Related Matters ....................................................... 262
Section 1621—Cyber Mission Forces and Cyberspace Operations
Forces ......................................................................................................... 262
Section 1622—Cyberspace Solarium Commission ...................................... 262
Section 1623—Tailored Cyberspace Operations Organizations ................ 263
Section 1624—Responsibility for the Sector Risk Management Agency
Function of the Department of Defense .................................................. 263
Section 1625—Department of Defense Cyber Workforce Efforts .............. 263
Section 1626—Reporting Requirements for Cross Domain Compromises
and Exemptions to Policies for Information Technology ........................ 263
Section 1627—Assessing Private-Public Collaboration in Cybersecurity . 264
Section 1628—Cyber Capabilities and Interoperability of the National
Guard ......................................................................................................... 264
Section 1629—Evaluation of Non-Traditional Cyber Support to the De-
partment of Defense .................................................................................. 264
Section 1630—Establishment of Integrated Cyber Center ........................ 264
Section 1631—Cyber Threat Information Collaboration Environment .... 264
Section 1632—Defense Industrial Base Participation in a Threat Intel-
ligence Sharing Program .......................................................................... 265
Section 1633—Assistance for Small Manufacturers in the Defense In-
dustrial Supply Chain on Matters Relating to Cybersecurity ............... 265
Section 1634—Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Threat Hunting
and Sensing, Discovery, and Mitigation .................................................. 265
Section 1635—Defense Digital Service ....................................................... 265
Section 1636—Limitation of Funding for National Defense University ... 265
Subtitle D—Nuclear Forces ............................................................................. 266
Section 1641—Coordination in Transfer of Funds by Department of
Defense to National Nuclear Security Administration .......................... 266
Section 1642—Exercises of Nuclear Command, Control, and Commu-
nications System ........................................................................................ 266
Section 1643—Independent Studies on Nuclear Weapons Programs of
Certain Foreign States .............................................................................. 266
Subtitle E—Missile Defense Programs ........................................................... 266
Section 1651—Extension and Modification of Requirement for Comp-
troller General of the United States Review and Assessment of Mis-
sile Defense Acquisition Programs ........................................................... 266
Section 1652—Extension of Transition of Ballistic Missile Defense Pro-
grams to Military Departments ............................................................... 266
Section 1653—Development of Hypersonic and Ballistic Missile Track-
ing Space Sensor Payload ......................................................................... 266
Section 1654—Annual Certification on Hypersonic and Ballistic Missile
Tracking Space Sensor Payload ............................................................... 267
Section 1655—Alignment of the Missile Defense Agency within the
Department of Defense ............................................................................. 267
Section 1656—Analysis of Alternatives for Homeland Missile Defense
Missions ..................................................................................................... 267
Section 1657—Next Generation Interceptors ............................................. 268
Section 1658—Oversight of Next Generation Interceptor Program ......... 268
Section 1659—Missile Defense Cooperation between the United States
and Israel ................................................................................................... 268
Section 1660—Report on Defense of Guam from Integrated Air and
Missile Threats .......................................................................................... 268
Section 1661—Report on Cruise Missile Defense ....................................... 269
Subtitle F—Other Matters ............................................................................... 269
Section 1671—Conventional Prompt Global Strike ................................... 269
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Section 1672—Submission of Reports under Missile Defense Review
and Nuclear Posture Review .................................................................... 269
Section 1673—Report on Consideration of Risks of Inadvertent Esca-
lation to Nuclear War ............................................................................... 269
TITLE XVII—REPORTS AND OTHER MATTERS ............................................. 269
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 269
Assessment of Department of Defense Training Programs and Re-
sources regarding the Role of Women as Participants of Violent Ex-
tremism ...................................................................................................... 269
Feasibility Study on the Adoption of AFRICOM CivCas Initiatives by
Each Combatant Command ...................................................................... 270
Report on Non-Traditional Manned ISR ..................................................... 270
Report on Special Operations Command Armed Overwatch Concept ...... 271
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 271
Subtitle A—Studies and Reports ..................................................................... 271
Section 1701—Review of Support of Special Operations to Combat Ter-
rorism ......................................................................................................... 271
Section 1702—FFRDC Study of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Agencies . 272
Section 1703—Report on the Human Rights Office at United States
Southern Command .................................................................................. 272
Section 1704—Report on Joint Training Range Exercises for the Pacific
Region ......................................................................................................... 272
Section 1705—Study on Chinese Policies and Influence in the Develop-
ment of International Standards for Emerging Technologies ............... 272
Subtitle B—Electronic Message Preservation ................................................ 272
Section 1711—Short Title ............................................................................ 272
Section 1712—Preservation of Electronic Messages and Other Records . 273
Section 1713—Presidential Records ............................................................ 273
Subtitle C—Space Technology Advancement Report (STAR) Act of 2020 ... 273
Section 1721—Short Title ............................................................................ 273
Section 1722—Findings ................................................................................ 273
Section 1723—Report; Strategy ................................................................... 273
Subtitle D—AMBER Alert Nationwide .......................................................... 274
Section 1731—Cooperation with Department of Homeland Security ....... 274
Section 1732—AMBER Alerts along Major Transportation Routes ......... 274
Section 1733—AMBER Alert Communication Plans in the Territories ... 274
Section 1734—Government Accountability Office Report ......................... 274
Subtitle E—Other Matters .............................................................................. 275
Section 1741—Technical, Conforming, and Clerical Amendments ........... 275
Section 1742—Addition of Chief of the National Guard Bureau to the
List of Officers Providing Reports of Unfunded Priorities ..................... 275
Section 1743—Acceptance of Property by Military Academies and Mu-
seums .......................................................................................................... 275
Section 1744—Reauthorization of National Oceanographic Partnership
Program ...................................................................................................... 275
Section 1745—Requirements Relating to Program and Project Manage-
ment ............................................................................................................ 275
Section 1746—Quarterly Briefings on Joint All Domain Command and
Control Concept ......................................................................................... 275
Section 1747—Resources to Implement a Department of Defense Policy
on Civilian Casualties in Connection with United States Military
Operations .................................................................................................. 276
Section 1748—Sense of Congress regarding Reporting of Civilian Cas-
ualties Resulting from United States Military Operations .................... 276
Section 1749—Prohibition of Public Display of Confederate Battle Flag
on Department of Defense Property ........................................................ 276
Section 1750—Deployment of Real-Time Status of Special Use Air-
space ........................................................................................................... 276
Section 1751—Duties of Secretary under Uniformed and Overseas Citi-
zens Absentee Voting Act ......................................................................... 276
Section 1752—Publicly Available Database of Casualties of Members
of the Armed Forces .................................................................................. 276
Section 1753—Notice and Comment for Proposed Actions of the Sec-
retary of Defense Relating to Food and Beverage Ingredients .............. 277
Section 1754—Space Strategies and Assessment ....................................... 277
Section 1755—Nonimmigrant Status for Certain Nationals of Portugal . 277
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Section 1756—Sense of Congress on Extension of Limitations on Impor-
tation of Uranium from Russian Federation ........................................... 277
Section 1757—Authority to Establish a Movement Coordination Center
Pacific in the Indopacific Region .............................................................. 277
Section 1758—Establishment of Vetting Procedures and Monitoring Re-
quirements for Certain Military Training ............................................... 278
Section 1759—Women, Peace, and Security Act Implementation ............ 278
Section 1760—Developing Crisis Capabilities to Meet Needs for Home-
land Security-Critical Supplies ................................................................ 278
Section 1761—Establishment of Western Emergency Refined Petroleum
Products Reserve ....................................................................................... 278
DIVISION B—MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATIONS ................... 278
PURPOSE ............................................................................................................. 278
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND FAMILY HOUSING OVERVIEW ......... 278
Section 2001—Short Title ............................................................................ 279
Section 2002—Expiration of Authorizations and Amounts Required To
Be Specified by Law .................................................................................. 279
Section 2003—Effective Date ....................................................................... 279
TITLE XXI—ARMY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION ............................................. 279
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 279
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 279
Explanation of Funding Adjustments ......................................................... 279
Army Corps Headquarters Stationing Decision ......................................... 280
Mission Training Complex Report ............................................................... 281
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 282
Section 2101—Authorized Army Construction and Land Acquisition
Projects ....................................................................................................... 282
Section 2102—Family Housing .................................................................... 282
Section 2103—Authorization of Appropriations, Army .............................. 282
Section 2104—Limitation on Military Construction Project at Kwajalein
Atoll ............................................................................................................ 282
Section 2105—Modification of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal
Year 2017 Project ...................................................................................... 282
TITLE XXII—NAVY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION ............................................ 282
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 282
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 282
Explanation of Funding Adjustments ......................................................... 282
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 284
Section 2201—Authorized Navy Construction and Land Acquisition
Projects ....................................................................................................... 284
Section 2202—Family Housing and Improvements to Military Family
Housing Units ............................................................................................ 284
Section 2203—Authorization of Appropriations, Navy .............................. 285
TITLE XXIII—AIR FORCE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION ................................ 285
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 285
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 285
Explanation of Funding Adjustments ......................................................... 285
Space Training and Readiness, S&T ........................................................... 287
Strategic Basing Process for U.S. Space Command ................................... 287
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 288
Section 2301—Authorized Air Force Construction and Land Acquisition
Projects ....................................................................................................... 288
Section 2302—Family Housing and Improvements to Military Family
Housing Units ............................................................................................ 288
Section 2303—Authorization of Appropriations, Air Force ....................... 288
Section 2304—Modification of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal
Year 2018 Project ...................................................................................... 288
Section 2305—Modification of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal
Year 2019 Projects ..................................................................................... 288
Section 2306—Modification of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal
Year 2020 Projects ..................................................................................... 288
Section 2307—Technical Corrections Related to Authority to Carry Out
Certain Fiscal Year 2020 Family Housing Projects ............................... 289
TITLE XXIV—DEFENSE AGENCIES MILITARY CONSTRUCTION .............. 289
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 289
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 289
Explanation of Funding Adjustments ......................................................... 289
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LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 290
Section 2401—Authorized Defense Agencies Construction and Land Ac-
quisition Projects ....................................................................................... 290
Section 2402—Authorized Energy Resilience and Conservation Invest-
ment Program Projects ............................................................................. 290
Section 2403—Authorization of Appropriations, Defense Agencies .......... 290
Section 2404—Military Construction Infrastructure and Weapon Sys-
tem Synchronization for Ground Based Strategic Deterrent ................. 291
TITLE XXV—INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS .................................................... 291
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 291
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 291
Subtitle A—North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Pro-
gram ........................................................................................................... 291
Section 2501—Authorized NATO Construction and Land Acquisition
Projects ....................................................................................................... 291
Section 2502—Authorization of Appropriations, NATO ............................ 291
Subtitle B—Host Country In-Kind Contributions ......................................... 291
Section 2511—Republic of Korea Funded Construction Projects .............. 291
Section 2512—State of Qatar Funded Construction Projects .................... 291
TITLE XXVI—GUARD AND RESERVE FORCES FACILITIES ........................ 292
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 292
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 292
Explanation of Funding Adjustments ......................................................... 292
Disposition of Building 158 at Joint Base Cape Cod ................................. 292
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 292
Section 2601—Authorized Army National Guard Construction and
Land Acquisition Projects ......................................................................... 292
Section 2602—Authorized Army Reserve Construction and Land Acqui-
sition Projects ............................................................................................ 293
Section 2603—Authorized Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve
Construction and Land Acquisition Projects ........................................... 293
Section 2604—Authorized Air National Guard Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects ................................................................................... 293
Section 2605—Authorized Air Force Reserve Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects ................................................................................... 293
Section 2606—Authorization of Appropriations, National Guard and
Reserve ....................................................................................................... 293
Section 2607—Modification of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal
Year 2020 Project ...................................................................................... 293
TITLE XXVII—BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACTIVITIES ............ 294
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 294
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 294
Explanation of Funding Adjustments ......................................................... 294
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 294
Section 2701—Authorization of Appropriations for Base Realignment
and Closure Activities Funded through Department of Defense Base
Closure Account ......................................................................................... 294
TITLE XXVIII—MILITARY CONSTRUCTION GENERAL PROVISIONS ....... 294
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 294
Child Development Centers ......................................................................... 294
Construction in Support of Not-for-Profit Research and Development
Entities ....................................................................................................... 295
Mobilization Infrastructure Investments .................................................... 295
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion and Seawater Air Conditioning
Projects on Installations in the Pacific .................................................... 296
Oversight of Environmental Hazards at Government-Owned Family
Housing ...................................................................................................... 296
Progress Report on Implementation of Installation Resilience Measures
Related to Extreme Weather .................................................................... 297
Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan ....................................................... 297
Standardization of Metrics Used to Evaluate Privatized Military Fam-
ily Housing ................................................................................................. 297
TRLIA 200-Year Goldfields Levee Project Acquisition of Easement from
Beale Air Force Base ................................................................................. 298
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 299
Subtitle A—Military Construction Program Changes ................................... 299
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Section 2801—Modification and Clarification of Construction Authority
in the Event of a Declaration of War or National Emergency .............. 299
Section 2802—Extension of Sunset for Annual Locality Adjustment
of Dollar Thresholds Applicable to Unspecified Minor Military Con-
struction Authorities ................................................................................. 299
Section 2803—Modification of Reporting Requirement regarding Cost
Increases Associated with Certain Military Construction Projects and
Military Family Housing Projects ............................................................ 299
Section 2804—Expansion of Department of Defense Land Exchange
Authority .................................................................................................... 299
Section 2805—Congressional Project Authorization Required for Mili-
tary Construction Projects for Energy Resilience, Energy Security,
and Energy Conservation ......................................................................... 299
Section 2806—One-Year Extension of Temporary, Limited Authority
to Use Operation and Maintenance Funds for Construction Projects
in Certain Areas outside the United States ............................................ 299
Section 2807—Pilot Program to Support Combatant Command Military
Construction Priorities .............................................................................. 299
Section 2808—Biannual Report regarding Military Installations Sup-
ported by Disaster Relief Appropriations ................................................ 300
Subtitle B—Military Family Housing Reforms .............................................. 300
Section 2811—Expenditure Priorities in Using Department of Defense
Family Housing Improvement Fund ........................................................ 300
Section 2812—Promulgation of Guidance to Facilitate Return of Mili-
tary Families Displaced from Privatized Military Housing ................... 300
Section 2813—Promulgation of Guidance on Mold Mitigation in Priva-
tized Military Housing .............................................................................. 300
Section 2814—Expansion of Uniform Code of Basic Standards for Pri-
vatized Military Housing and Hazard and Habitability Inspection
and Assessment Requirements to Government-Owned and Govern-
ment-Controlled Military Family Housing .............................................. 300
Section 2815—Establishment of Exceptional Family Member Program
Housing Liaison ......................................................................................... 300
Section 2816—Department of Defense Report on Criteria and Metrics
Used to Evaluate Performance of Landlords of Privatized Military
Housing That Receive Incentive Fees ...................................................... 300
Section 2817—Report on Department of Defense Efforts regarding
Oversight and Role in Management of Privatized Military Housing .... 301
Subtitle C—Real Property and Facilities Administration ............................. 301
Section 2821—Codification of Reporting Requirements regarding
United States Overseas Military Enduring Locations and Contin-
gency Locations ......................................................................................... 301
Section 2822—Limitations on Renewal of Utility Privatization Con-
tracts .......................................................................................................... 301
Section 2823—Vesting Exercise of Discretion with Service Secretaries
regarding Entering into Longer-Term Contracts for Utility Services ... 301
Section 2824—Use of On-Site Energy Production to Promote Military
Installation Energy Resilience and Energy Security .............................. 301
Section 2825—Availability of Energy Resilience and Conservation In-
vestment Program Funds for Certain Activities Related to Privatized
Utility Systems .......................................................................................... 301
Section 2826—Improving Water Management and Security on Military
Installations ............................................................................................... 301
Section 2827—Pilot Program to Test Use of Emergency Diesel Genera-
tors in a Microgrid Configuration at Certain Military Installations .... 302
Section 2828—Improved Electrical Metering of Department of Defense
Infrastructure Supporting Critical Missions ........................................... 302
Section 2829—Renaming Certain Military Installations and Other De-
fense Property ............................................................................................ 302
Subtitle D—Land Conveyances ....................................................................... 302
Section 2831—Land Conveyance, Camp Navajo, Arizona ......................... 302
Section 2832—Modification of Land Exchange Involving Naval Indus-
trial Reserve Ordnance Plant, Sunnyvale, California ............................ 302
Section 2833—Land Conveyance, Sharpe Army Depot, Lathrop, Cali-
fornia .......................................................................................................... 302
Section 2834—Land Exchange, San Bernardino County, California ........ 302
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Section 2835—Land Conveyance, Over-the-Horizon Backscatter Radar
System Receiving Station, Modoc County, California ............................ 302
Section 2836—Transfer of Administrative Jurisdiction, Naval Support
Activity Panama City, Florida, Parcel ..................................................... 303
Subtitle E—Military Land Withdrawals ........................................................ 303
Section 2841—Renewal of Land Withdrawal and Reservation to Benefit
Naval Air Facility, El Centro, California ................................................ 303
Section 2842—Renewal of Fallon Range Training Complex Land With-
drawal and Reservation ............................................................................ 303
Section 2843—Renewal of Nevada Test and Training Range Land With-
drawal and Reservation ............................................................................ 303
Section 2844—Co-Management, New Memorandum of Understanding,
and Additional Requirements regarding Nevada Test and Training
Range .......................................................................................................... 303
Section 2845—Specified Duration of White Sands Missile Range Land
Withdrawal and Reservation and Establishment of Special Reserva-
tion Area for Northern and Western Extension Areas ........................... 303
Subtitle F—Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific Issues ........................................... 303
Section 2851—Change to Biennial Reporting Requirement for Inter-
agency Coordination Group of Inspectors General for Guam Realign-
ment ............................................................................................................ 303
Section 2852—Additional Exception to Restriction on Development of
Public Infrastructure in Connection with Realignment of Marine
Corps Forces in Asia-Pacific Region ........................................................ 304
Section 2853—Development of Master Plan for Infrastructure to Sup-
port Rotational Armed Forces in Australia ............................................. 304
Section 2854—Study and Strategy regarding Bulk Fuels Management
in United States Indo-Pacific Command Area of Responsibility ........... 304
Subtitle G—Other Matters .............................................................................. 304
Section 2861—Defense Community Infrastructure Program .................... 304
Section 2862—Pilot Program on Reduction of Effects of Military Avia-
tion Noise on Certain Covered Property ................................................. 304
Section 2863—Department of Defense Policy for Regulation of Danger-
ous Dogs in Military Communities .......................................................... 305
TITLE XXIX—OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS MILITARY CON-
STRUCTION ..................................................................................................... 305
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 305
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 305
Section 2901—Authorized Navy Construction and Land Acquisition
Projects ....................................................................................................... 305
Section 2902—Authorized Air Force Construction and Land Acquisition
Projects ....................................................................................................... 305
Section 2903—Authorization of Appropriations ......................................... 305
DIVISION C—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY AU-
THORIZATIONS AND OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS ...................................... 306
TITLE XXXI—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY PRO-
GRAMS .............................................................................................................. 306
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 306
National Nuclear Security Administration .................................................... 306
Weapons Activities ........................................................................................ 306
Comptroller General review of construction and infrastructure recapi-
talization projects .................................................................................. 306
Comptroller General review of laboratory-, plant-, and site-directed
research and development for nuclear weapons production improve-
ment ........................................................................................................ 306
Cooperative Audit Strategy ...................................................................... 307
Establishment of an industrial base analysis capability ....................... 308
Leasing Authority for National Nuclear Security Administration and
Management and Operating Contractors ............................................ 308
Stockpile Responsiveness .......................................................................... 309
Stockpile stewardship ............................................................................... 309
W93 warhead program .............................................................................. 309
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation ............................................................... 310
Comptroller General review of safeguards .............................................. 310
Incident at Harborview Research and Training Facility ....................... 311
Federal Salaries and Expenses .................................................................... 311
Financial Integration ................................................................................ 311
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Environmental and Other Defense Activities ................................................ 311
Defense Environmental Cleanup ................................................................. 311
Comptroller General review of Environmental Management ................ 311
Other Defense Activities ............................................................................... 312
Advanced Computer Tools to Identify Classified Information ............... 312
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 312
Subtitle A—National Security Programs and Authorizations ...................... 312
Section 3101—National Nuclear Security Administration ........................ 312
Section 3102—Defense Environmental Cleanup ........................................ 313
Section 3103—Other Defense Activities ...................................................... 313
Section 3104—Nuclear Energy .................................................................... 313
Subtitle B—Program Authorizations, Restrictions, Limitations, and Other
Matters ....................................................................................................... 313
Section 3111—Nuclear Warhead Acquisition Processes ............................ 313
Section 3112—Uncosted and Unobligated Amounts of National Nuclear
Security Administration ........................................................................... 313
Section 3113—Extension of Limitation Relating to Reclassification of
High-Level Waste ...................................................................................... 313
Section 3114—Extension of Pilot Program on Unavailability for Over-
head Costs of Amounts Specified for Laboratory-Directed Research
and Development ....................................................................................... 313
Section 3115—Plutonium Pit Production .................................................... 314
Section 3116—Program for Research and Development of Advanced
Naval Nuclear Fuel System Based on Low-Enriched Uranium ............ 314
Section 3117—Independent Study on Effects of Use of Nuclear Weap-
ons .............................................................................................................. 314
Section 3118—Reports on Diversity of Certain Contractor Employees
of National Nuclear Security Administration ......................................... 314
Section 3119—Findings, Purpose, and Apology Relating to Fallout
Emitted During the Government’s Atmospheric Nuclear Tests ............ 315
Section 3120—Sense of Congress regarding Uranium Mining and Nu-
clear Testing .............................................................................................. 315
TITLE XXXII—DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD ............. 315
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 315
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board and the Department of En-
ergy ......................................................................................................... 315
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 316
Section 3201—Authorization ........................................................................ 316
TITLE XXXIV—NAVAL PETROLEUM RESERVES ........................................... 316
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 316
Section 3401—Authorization of Appropriations ......................................... 316
TITLE XXXV—MARITIME ADMINISTRATION ................................................. 316
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ...................................................................... 316
Commercial Design Options for Sealift Recapitalization ....................... 316
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 316
Subtitle A—Maritime Administration ............................................................ 316
Section 3501—Authorization of the Maritime Administration ................. 316
Section 3502—Sense of Congress regarding Role of Domestic Maritime
Industry in National Security .................................................................. 317
Section 3503—Nonapplicability of Requirement Relating to Minimum
Number of Operating Days for Vessels Operating under MSP Oper-
ating Agreements ...................................................................................... 317
Section 3504—Improvements to Process for Waiving Navigation and
Vessel-Inspection Laws ............................................................................. 317
Subtitle B—Tanker Security Fleet .................................................................. 317
Section 3511—Tanker Security Fleet .......................................................... 317
DIVISION D—FUNDING TABLES ....................................................................... 317
Section 4001—Authorization of Amounts in Funding Tables ................... 317
Summary of National Defense Authorizations for Fiscal Year 2021 ........ 318
National Defense Budget Authority Implication ........................................ 323
TITLE XLI—PROCUREMENT .............................................................................. 325
Section 4101—Procurement ......................................................................... 325
Section 4102—Procurement for Overseas Contingency Operations ......... 369
TITLE XLII—RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION ..... 380
Section 4201—Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation .................. 380
Section 4202—Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation for Over-
seas Contingency Operations ................................................................... 423
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TITLE XLIII—OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ........................................... 426
Section 4301—Operation and Maintenance ................................................ 426
Section 4302—Operation and Maintenance for Overseas Contingency
Operations .................................................................................................. 449
TITLE XLIV—MILITARY PERSONNEL .............................................................. 461
Section 4401—Military Personnel ............................................................... 461
Section 4402—Military Personnel for Overseas Contingency Opera-
tions ............................................................................................................ 462
TITLE XLV—OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS .......................................................... 463
Section 4501—Other Authorizations ........................................................... 463
Section 4502—Other Authorizations for Overseas Contingency Opera-
tions ............................................................................................................ 467
TITLE XLVI—MILITARY CONSTRUCTION ....................................................... 468
Section 4601—Military Construction .......................................................... 468
Section 4602—Military Construction for Overseas Contingency Opera-
tions ............................................................................................................ 478
TITLE XLVII—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY PRO-
GRAMS .............................................................................................................. 480
Section 4701—Department of Energy National Security Programs ......... 480
DIVISION E—NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INITIATIVE ACT
OF 2020 ................................................................................................................. 490
Section 5001—Short Title ............................................................................ 490
Section 5002—Findings ................................................................................ 490
Section 5003—Definitions ............................................................................ 490
TITLE I—NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INITIATIVE ................. 490
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 490
Section 5101—National Artificial Intelligence Initiative ........................... 490
Section 5102—National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office ................ 490
Section 5103—Coordination by Interagency Committee ........................... 490
Section 5104—National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee ........ 490
Section 5105—National Academies Artificial Intelligence Impact Study
on Workforce .............................................................................................. 491
Section 5106—GAO Report on Computational Needs ............................... 491
Section 5107—National AI Research Resource Task Force ...................... 491
Section 5108—Sense of Congress ................................................................ 491
TITLE II—NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH INSTI-
TUTES ............................................................................................................... 492
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 492
Section 5201—National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes ......... 492
TITLE III—NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES ................................................ 492
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 492
Section 5301—National Institute of Standards and Technology Activi-
ties .............................................................................................................. 492
TITLE IV—NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ARTIFICIAL INTELLI-
GENCE ACTIVITIES ....................................................................................... 492
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 492
Section 5401—Artificial Intelligence Research and Education ................. 492
TITLE V—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RE-
SEARCH PROGRAM ....................................................................................... 493
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ............................................................................. 493
Section 5501—Department of Energy Artificial Intelligence Research
Program ...................................................................................................... 493
Department of Defense Authorization Request ..................................................... 493
Communications from Other Committees ............................................................. 496
Congressional Budget Office Estimate ................................................................... 513
Statement Required by the Congressional Budget Act ........................................ 514
Committee Cost Estimate ....................................................................................... 514
Advisory of Earmarks .............................................................................................. 514
Oversight Findings .................................................................................................. 514
General Performance Goals and Objectives .......................................................... 515
Statement of Federal Mandates ............................................................................. 515
Federal Advisory Committee Statement ................................................................ 515
Applicability to the Legislative Branch ................................................................. 515
Duplication of Federal Programs ............................................................................ 515
Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 516
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ..................................... 529
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Additional Views ...................................................................................................... 530
Supplemental Views ................................................................................................ 532
Minority Views ......................................................................................................... 535
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116TH CONGRESS REPORT
" HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES !
2d Session 116–442
WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE
AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
JULY 19, 2020.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of
the Union and ordered to be printed
Mr. SMITH of Washington, from the Committee on Armed Services,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL, SUPPLEMENTAL, AND MINORITY VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 6395]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Armed Services, to whom was referred the bill
(H.R. 6395) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for
military activities of the Department of Defense and for military
construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fis-
cal year, and for other purposes, having considered the same, re-
ports favorably thereon with amendments and recommends that
the bill as amended do pass.
The amendments are as follows:
The amendment strikes all after the enacting clause of the bill
and inserts a new text which appears in italic type in the reported
bill.
The title of the bill is amended to reflect the amendment to the
text of the bill.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
The bill would: (1) authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021
for procurement and for research, development, test, and evalua-
tion (RDT&E); (2) authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for
operation and maintenance (O&M) and for working capital funds;
(3) authorize for fiscal year 2021 the personnel strength for each
Active Duty Component of the military departments, and the per-
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2
sonnel strength for the Selected Reserve for each Reserve Compo-
nent of the Armed Forces; (4) modify various elements of com-
pensation for military personnel and impose certain requirements
and limitations on personnel actions in the defense establishment;
(5) authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for military con-
struction and family housing; (6) authorize appropriations for Over-
seas Contingency Operations; (7) authorize appropriations for fiscal
year 2021 for the Department of Energy national security pro-
grams; and (8) authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for the
Maritime Administration.
RATIONALE FOR THE COMMITTEE BILL
H.R. 6395, the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, is the primary vehicle
through which Congress fulfills its responsibility as mandated in
Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution of the United States, grant-
ing Congress the power to provide for the common defense, to raise
and support an Army, to provide and maintain a Navy, and to
make rules for the government and regulation of the land and
naval forces. Rule X of the House of Representatives provides the
House Committee on Armed Services with jurisdiction over the De-
partment of Defense generally and over the military application of
nuclear energy. The committee bill includes findings and rec-
ommendations resulting from its oversight activities, conducted
through hearings and briefings with Department of Defense and
Department of Energy civilian and military officials, intelligence
analysts, outside experts, and industry representatives, and it is in-
formed by institutional experience. H.R. 6395 provides the Depart-
ment of Defense and the Department of Energy with important pol-
icy authorities to speed decision making and improve agility, while
improving readiness and increasing capabilities and capacities.
H.R. 6395 addresses our country’s greatest military threats by
authorizing a defense enterprise that is inclusive, accountable, and
responsible in the management of its resources. H.R. 6395 focuses
on improving the lives of our men and women in uniform, author-
izing a 3 percent pay increase and implementing reforms to im-
prove the quality of military housing. The committee recognizes
that our service members confront unique, complex challenges and
deserve our support.
H.R. 6395 ensures America’s military maintains its competitive
edge and increases accountability over how defense resources are
allocated and spent. The global security environment requires
affordably managing strategic risk by prioritizing the relevant mili-
tary capabilities and capacities necessary to meet our greatest
threats, adequately resource those priorities by accepting some risk
with well-considered and agreed upon tradeoffs, and, at the same
time, realize cost savings through aggressive oversight and control
of mismanagement and unjustified costs.
H.R. 6395 supports an overall authorization of $740.5 billion dol-
lars for our national defense. H.R. 6395 would authorize approxi-
mately $662.6 billion in discretionary spending for national defense
and approximately $69.0 billion in discretionary spending for Over-
seas Contingency Operations. This authorization level will allow
our military to maintain readiness, expand capabilities, and invest
in the new software and technologies required to secure our coun-
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3
try. H.R. 6395 meets the committee’s goal to facilitate a strong na-
tional defense apparatus that is resourced properly, accountable,
and cognizant of the essential, direct oversight role of Congress.
HEARINGS
For the purposes of section 103(i) of H. Res. 6 of the 116th Con-
gress—
(1) the following hearings were used to develop or consider H.R.
6395:
The committee held a hearing ‘‘The Fiscal Year 2021 National
Defense Authorization Budget Request from the Department of De-
fense’’ on February 26, 2020. The committee received testimony
from the Honorable Dr. Mark T. Esper, Secretary of Defense, and
General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The committee held a hearing ‘‘The Fiscal Year 2021 National
Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of the
Navy on February 27, 2020. The committee received testimony
from the Honorable Thomas B. Modly, Acting Secretary of the
Navy, Admiral Michael M. Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations, and
General David H. Berger, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.
The committee held a hearing ‘‘The Fiscal Year 2021 National
Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of the
Army’’ on March 3, 2020. The committee received testimony from
the Honorable Ryan McCarthy, Secretary of the Army and General
James McConville, Chief of Staff of the Army.
The committee held a hearing ‘‘The Fiscal Year 2021 National
Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of the
Air Force’’ on March 4, 2020. The committee received testimony
from the Honorable Barbara Barrett, Secretary of the Air Force,
General David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Gen-
eral John Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force.
The committee held a hearing ‘‘National Security Challenges and
U.S. Military Activities in the Greater Middle East and Africa’’ on
March 10, 2020. The committee received testimony from the Honor-
able Kathryn Wheelbarger, Assistant Secretary of Defense for
International Security Affairs, General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.,
USMC, Commander, U.S. Central Command, and General Stephen
Townsend, USA, Commander, U.S. Africa Command.
The committee held a hearing on ‘‘National Security Challenges
and U.S. Military Activity in North and South America’’ on March
11, 2020. The committee received testimony from the Honorable
Kenneth P. Rapuano, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland
Defense and Global Security, Admiral Craig S. Faller, USN, Com-
mander, U.S. Southern Command, and General Terrence J.
O’Shaughnessy, USAF, Commander, U.S. Northern Command.
The committee held a hearing on ‘‘Department of Defense
COVID–19 Response to Defense Industrial Base Challenges’’ on
June 10, 2020. The committee received testimony from the Honor-
able Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and
Sustainment.
In addition, the six subcommittees of the committee conducted 12
hearings and 6 markups to develop and consider H.R. 6395.
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COMMITTEE POSITION
On July 1, 2020, the Committee on Armed Services held a mark-
up session to consider H.R. 6395. The committee ordered the bill
H.R. 6395, as amended, favorably reported to the House of Rep-
resentatives by a recorded vote of 56–0, a quorum being present.
EXPLANATION OF THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS
The committee adopted an amendment in the nature of a sub-
stitute during the consideration of H.R. 6395. The title of the bill
is amended to reflect the amendment to the text of the bill. The
remainder of the report discusses the bill, as amended.
RELATIONSHIP OF AUTHORIZATION TO APPROPRIATIONS
The bill does not provide budget authority. This bill authorizes
appropriations; subsequent appropriations acts will provide budget
authority. However, the committee strives to adhere to the rec-
ommendations as issued by the Committee on the Budget as it re-
lates to the jurisdiction of this committee.
The bill addresses the following categories in the Department of
Defense budget: procurement; research, development, test, and
evaluation; operation and maintenance; military personnel; work-
ing capital funds; and military construction and family housing.
The bill also addresses the Armed Forces Retirement Home, De-
partment of Energy National Security Programs, the Naval Petro-
leum Reserve, and the Maritime Administration.
Active Duty and Reserve personnel strengths authorized in this
bill and legislation affecting compensation for military personnel
determine the remaining appropriation requirements of the Depart-
ment of Defense. However, this bill does not provide authorization
of specific dollar amounts for military personnel.
SUMMARY OF DISCRETIONARY AUTHORIZATIONS IN THE
BILL
The President requested discretionary budget authority of $731.6
billion for programs within the jurisdiction of the committee for fis-
cal year 2021. Of this amount, $636.3 billion was requested for
base Department of Defense programs, $69.0 billion was requested
for Overseas Contingency Operations requirements covering the en-
tire fiscal year, $26.0 billion was requested for Department of En-
ergy national security programs and the Defense Nuclear Facilities
Safety Board, and $0.31 billion was requested for defense-related
activities associated with the Maritime Administration.
The committee recommends an overall discretionary authoriza-
tion of $731.6 billion in fiscal year 2021. The committee authoriza-
tion is a $1.67 billion increase above the levels provided for in the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public
Law 116–92).
The table preceding the detailed program adjustments in division
D of this report summarizes the committee’s recommended discre-
tionary authorizations by appropriation account for fiscal year 2021
and compares these amounts to the President’s request.
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BUDGET AUTHORITY IMPLICATION
The President’s total request for the national defense budget
function (050) in fiscal year 2021 is $752.4 billion, as estimated by
the Congressional Budget Office. In addition to funding for pro-
grams addressed in this bill, the total 050 request includes discre-
tionary funding for national defense programs not in the commit-
tee’s jurisdiction, discretionary funding for programs that do not re-
quire additional authorization in fiscal year 2021, and mandatory
programs.
The table preceding the detailed program adjustments in division
D of this report details changes to the budget request for all as-
pects of the national defense budget function.
DIVISION A—DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
AUTHORIZATIONS
TITLE I—PROCUREMENT
AIRCRAFT PROCUREMENT, ARMY
Items of Special Interest
Army Aviation Radio Modernization
The committee is encouraged by the Army’s efforts to modernize
radio communication technology and increase interoperability
through the Integrated Tactical Network (ITN) for operational
rotorcraft platforms and ground systems. The committee supports
the Army’s use of program of record radios as well as use of a fed-
erated integration approach under the Air to Ground Networking
Radio (AGNR) program. The committee recognizes the critical need
to maintain radio development and production within the indus-
trial base and believes that an open and competitive process will
deliver the most cost effective capability to the Army.
As such, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of the
Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology to provide a brief-
ing to the House Committee on Armed Services no later than Octo-
ber 1, 2020 on the acquisition strategy for the AGNR program, to
include how the Army plans to use full and open competition to en-
sure best value for radio integration into existing rotorcraft plat-
forms, the current inventory of available radios in existing pro-
grams of record, the test and evaluation plan, and the impact of
the AGNR program on the tactical radio industrial base.
Army intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance programs
The committee recognizes that airborne intelligence, surveillance,
and reconnaissance (AISR) capability has become an integral as-
pect of modern military operations. Each military service has field-
ed its own AISR, often optimized for service-specific mission re-
quirements. The committee is aware that the Army ISR Task Force
is examining AISR requirements and available options for fulfilling
these requirements in a cost-efficient manner. Long range precision
fires, the Army’s highest modernization priority, depends upon
deep sensing provided by ISR assets.
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Available information from the Army indicates that long-term
modernization plans for the Airborne Reconnaissance Low-En-
hanced (ARE–L), the Guardrail Common Sensor, and the Enhanced
Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System are un-
clear beyond the Future Years Defense Program. The committee
further notes that while the Army’s budget briefings depict data
link and avionics upgrades to the MQ–1 Gray Eagle unmanned air-
craft system, the Army has yet to outline plans for a service life
extension program or a follow-on medium-altitude ISR aircraft.
The committee is concerned about the tendency of each military
service to construct acquisition plans without accounting for the
role of the joint force and capability overlap between military serv-
ices. Elsewhere in this Act, the committee requires the Department
of the Air Force to submit a comprehensive plan on AISR mod-
ernization and replacement. The committee is aware of Army ISR
Task Force discussions with other military services and encourages
the Task Force to continue this collaboration across the military
services to ensure the Army invests in the critical and service-spe-
cific capabilities it will need to support the joint force.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army, in
consultation with the Chief of Staff of the Army, to provide a brief-
ing to the House Committee on Armed Services by November 1,
2020, on plans for modernization of the Army’s airborne intel-
ligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability. This briefing
should cover the entire Army AISR enterprise, demonstrate how
the Army intends to meet ISR requirements through fiscal year
2034, and detail which requirements the Army expects other serv-
ices to provide.
CH–47 Chinook helicopter
The budget request included $229.6 million for CH–47 Chinook
helicopter procurement and $15.5 million in Advance Procurement.
The committee continues to be concerned about the Army’s lack of
planning for future heavy lift and notes that the request only in-
cluded funding for six Block II Chinook helicopters for special oper-
ations forces. Further, the committee is aware that, despite Con-
gress having added $28.0 million in fiscal year 2020 for CH–47F
Block II Advance Procurement, the Army has yet to put any of this
funding on contract and has no current plans to begin procuring
long lead items.
The committee expects the Army to provide a realistic acquisition
strategy for future heavy lift. Therefore, the committee rec-
ommends $365.8 million, an increase of $136.2 million, for the CH–
47 Chinook program and recommends $44.5 million, an increase of
$29.0 million, for CH–47 Chinook Advance Procurement.
Load Stability Systems
The committee is aware that load stability technology has the po-
tential to offer performance and safety improvements for military
utility and medical evacuation helicopters. The committee under-
stands that Army Futures Command and Army Program Direc-
torate Medical Evacuation have expressed interest in additional
test and evaluation of litter-attached load stability systems on heli-
copter hoists. The committee further understands that a litter load
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stability system currently in testing is due to receive a limited air
worthiness release by the end of fiscal year 2020.
The committee supports completing the testing and certification
of this type of safety stabilization technology and allowing units to
make use of this capability for life-saving and other missions. The
committee directs the Commander, U.S. Army Futures Command,
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by March 1, 2021, on the military utility of helicopter load stability
systems, to include an assessment of technologies under evaluation,
the potential application of these technologies, and estimated costs
to procure and field these technologies.
Short Range Reconnaissance Small Unmanned Aircraft System
The committee notes that the Army is conducting a rapid proto-
typing procurement for a Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Small
Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) and that an acquisition deci-
sion for the first tranche of systems is scheduled for the third quar-
ter of fiscal year 2020. The committee acknowledges that the Army
could benefit from a platoon-level intelligence, surveillance, and re-
connaissance asset and supports the Army’s use of a rapid acquisi-
tion process focused on available mature systems that could be
ready for fielding during fiscal year 2021.
However, the committee is concerned that the Army’s expedited
process could potentially introduce vulnerabilities into the SRR
program. The committee understands that the SRR Tranche I ac-
quisition consisted of several non-traditional vendors and did not
necessarily incorporate costs of compliance with Department of De-
fense cybersecurity policy. The committee commends the Army for
seeking innovative solutions but expects the service to consider and
fully address security concerns in critical systems intended for op-
eration at the tactical edge.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
December 1, 2020, on the acquisition strategy for all future SRR
sUAS tranches. The briefing should include how the Army intends
to allow for established domestic sUAS manufacturers with exist-
ing full-scale production capability to compete in the prototype
phase, SRR compliance with Department of Defense cybersecurity
policy and statutory and regulatory bans on Chinese sUAS compo-
nents in the prototyping phase, and SRR compliance with all appli-
cable Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement domestic
content laws.
UH–60M Army National Guard Fielding Strategy
The committee understands the UH–60M Black Hawk is the
most modernized utility helicopter in the Army’s inventory. The
UH–60M is a digital networked platform that provides greater
range and lift in order to support maneuver forces through air as-
sault, general support command and control, and aeromedical evac-
uations. The committee notes the UH–60M Black Hawk is also a
critical dual-use item for Army National Guard forces performing
Title 32 missions.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army, in
conjunction with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the
Director of the Army National Guard, to provide a briefing to the
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House Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2021, on the
Army’s fielding strategy and plans to accelerate fielding of UH–
60M helicopters to the Army National Guard.
UH–60V Total Force Fielding Strategy
The committee believes the Army’s UH–60V modernization pro-
gram is critical for ensuring legacy Blackhawk helicopters remain
safe and relevant for multi-domain operations. The committee sup-
ports the Army’s current plan to field the UH–60V across all com-
ponents in order to maintain fleet and mission parity within the
Army. Further, the Committee is aware that the Army’s UH–60V
acquisition strategy indicates 48 UH–60Vs to be delivered per year
once the program enters full rate production. Given the importance
of this modernization effort, the committee believes the Army may
want to consider options to accelerate production and fielding to in-
clude the potential of supplemental industry support or expanding
capacity at Corpus Christi Army Depot. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2021 on the advisability
and feasibility of accelerating fielding of UH–60Vs to both the ac-
tive and reserve components and address potential courses of ac-
tion that would be required for this acceleration.
UH–72 Lakota helicopter commercial-off-the-shelf modifications
The committee understands the UH–72A Lakota helicopter per-
forms a variety of missions including flight training, medical evacu-
ation, border security, VIP transport, and disaster response. The
committee understands there are commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)
technologies that could potentially improve UH–72A communica-
tions and health monitoring systems by providing a digital, light-
weight, beyond-line-of-sight, push-to-talk radio, with Voice over
Internet and real-time fleet health monitoring, recording, and next-
generation satellite communications. The committee believes that
these same COTS solutions could also potentially improve training
on the UH–72A.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by October 30,
2020, on the status of UH–72A health monitoring capabilities and
an assessment of existing COTS solutions that could improve the
effectiveness and lifecycle sustainment of the UH–72A fleet.
PROCUREMENT OF WEAPONS AND TRACKED COMBAT VEHICLES,
ARMY
Items of Special Interest
Combat and tactical vehicle interior flame resistant materials
The committee is aware that the military services have not es-
tablished baseline requirements for flame resistant vehicle soft
armor, such as spall liners, and other internal materials. The Com-
mittee is concerned that the Army and the Marine Corps may not
have adequately addressed this issue in its requirements analysis
and development processes and, therefore, encourages each to con-
sider including flame resistant standards, like those outlined in the
Military Handbook 684, ‘‘Design of Ground Combat Vehicles for
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Survivability,’’ among the technical requirements for the mod-
ernization of combat and tactical vehicles. In this regard, the com-
mittee directs the Secretary of the Army, in coordination with the
Secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force, not later than December
15, 2020, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services, on the availability, feasibility, suitability, and afford-
ability of flame resistant materials and their potential for increas-
ing the survivability and safety of occupants inside combat and tac-
tical vehicles.
M240 medium machine gun modernization and sustainment
The committee remains concerned that the Army has neither
planned nor requested sufficient resources to ensure long-term via-
bility of the M240 family of medium machine guns and the associ-
ated industrial base. The committee notes that Congress has pro-
vided resources to sustain the M240 production line, which the
Army has utilized successfully to maintain the program to date.
However, the committee requires additional information in re-
sponse to ongoing concerns related to M240 lifecycle sustainment
and management of the associated industrial base. The committee
remains concerned over the absence of funding in future years
which may result in a shutdown in the M240 production line,
which would significantly limit the Army’s ability to procure addi-
tional weapons as well as lead to reduced capability to maintain ex-
isting weapons.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than October 30, 2020, that includes, but is not limited to:
(1) the projected service life of the current M240B inventory and
the overall readiness of these machine guns both in the field and
in inventory;
(2) the Army’s plan and schedule to replace the current M240B
inventory either with newer M240 models or an entirely new sys-
tem;
(3) an updated cost and risk analysis for restarting the M240
production line if allowed to shut down;
(4) a coordinated description and assessment of the M240 produc-
tion industrial base; and
(5) the advisability, feasibility, and cost of transitioning the
Army’s entire existing inventory of M240B medium machine guns
to the lighter weight M240L model.
PROCUREMENT OF AMMUNITION, ARMY
Items of Special Interest
Handgun Ammunition Procurement
The committee understands the Army’s budget request for small
caliber ammunition includes $328.3 million which includes funding
for handgun 9mm, 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .50 caliber, and advanced
technology armor piercing rounds. Regarding the handgun 9mm
round request, the committee notes a substantial decrease from
prior year funding requests. Specifically, the budget request only
includes $853 thousand for handgun 9mm rounds, which is a 95
percent decrease compared to fiscal year 2020 funding levels. The
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committee understands the Army believes this to be an acceptable
risk given current inventories and stockpile requirements. How-
ever, the committee remains concerned over the impact this could
present to the industrial base in terms of potential production
breaks and generating inefficiencies in the handgun 9mm line.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by December
15, 2020 on the long-term acquisition strategy for small caliber am-
munition. The briefing should include but not limited to actions
being taken to prevent any production breaks for handgun 9mm
rounds, planned funding across the future year’s defense program,
and current inventory levels for small caliber rounds.
Shoulder-launched munitions
The committee understands shoulder-launched munitions are
used extensively by all branches of the military services including
special operation forces in order to defeat a wide variety of targets
such as light vehicles, bunkers, and enemy personnel. The com-
mittee also notes this wide array of targets has often required
unique munitions and weapon system platforms tailored to specific
mission requirements. The committee is aware that special oper-
ation forces and the Marine Corps both use a variety of shoulder-
launched munitions to deliver the necessary battlefield effects, re-
duce weight on the soldier, and allow for increased mobility. How-
ever, the committee requires additional information regarding the
Army’s strategy and plans for developing and procuring shoulder-
launched munitions for brigade combat teams. The committee ex-
pects the Army to leverage and coordinate with the Marine Corps
and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) regarding the
development and procurement of shoulder-launched munitions.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army, in
consultation with the Commanding General of Army Futures Com-
mand, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by January 31, 2021, on the Army’s shoulder-launched
munitions acquisition strategy to include how the Army is coordi-
nating jointly with the other military services including
USSOCOM.
OTHER PROCUREMENT, ARMY
Items of Special Interest
All-terrain cranes
The budget request contained $70.5 million for all-terrain cranes.
The family of all-terrain cranes (Type I medium and Type II
heavy) are critical logistic systems necessary for large-scale combat
operations and provide the ability to assemble, disassemble, and
maintain bridges for wet or dry gap crossings, as well as provide
capabilities to rapidly offload critical supplies such as weapons, am-
munition, artillery pieces, fuel, and water. The committee notes
these systems are also considered critical dual-use systems sup-
porting both the Active and Reserve Components in title 10 and
title 32 operations. The committee supports the budget request;
however, the committee does have concerns over the projected
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funding levels for these critical logistical systems across the Future
Years Defense Program.
The committee directs the Program Executive Officer for Combat
Support and Combat Service Support to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than October 30,
2020, on the long-term acquisition strategy for all-terrain crane
systems.
The committee recommends $70.5 million, the full amount re-
quested, for all-terrain cranes.
Assessment of the Army’s tactical wheeled vehicle strategy and im-
plementation efforts
The Committee notes that tactical wheeled vehicle fleets
throughout the Army appear to be aging without significant tech-
nology upgrades or replacement by taking advantage of commercial
industry investments in new technologies such as emissions con-
trols, autonomous operation, and electric and hybrid-electric drive.
The Committee is concerned about the potential impacts this has
for the defense industrial base, the acquisition of commercially
available technology, and the broader implications this may have
for competition and cost for future wheeled vehicles acquisitions.
The committee is interested to learn more about the analysis, deci-
sion-making processes, and the frequency with which technological
upgrade or replacement of tactical wheeled vehicles could, should,
or should not be competed. Therefore, the committee directs the
Comptroller General of the United States, not later than March 1,
2021, to provide the House Armed Services Committee a report
that assesses the Army’s tactical wheeled vehicle strategy and im-
plementation efforts. The assessment should include an analysis of
the tactical wheeled vehicle industrial base and potential opportu-
nities, if any, for significant advancements in technology and sav-
ings through competition. The assessment should also include the
identification of and recommendations for overcoming obstacles to
insertion of new technology and competition. The committee fur-
ther directs the Comptroller General to provide a briefing to the
House Armed Services Committee not later than December 11,
2020, on the preliminary findings of its assessment.
Soldier Enhancement Program
The budget request contained no funds for the Soldier Enhance-
ment Program (SEP). The committee is disappointed and concerned
by the absence of funds in the budget request, as well as across the
Future Years Defense Program.
The committee commends the work accomplished to date by the
SEP through the Program Executive Office-Soldier that continues
to provide critically needed improvements and upgrades to indi-
vidual soldier equipment. This program was created by Congress
and mandated to evaluate and, where appropriate, type classify ex-
isting prototypes or commercially available items that enhance sol-
diers’ ability to execute their combat missions. The committee notes
that through soldier-led evaluations, SEP initiatives resulted in the
procurement of items that meet current operational needs, close a
capability gap, provide real-time operational feedback, inform re-
quirements, generate new requirements or transition a system into
a new or existing Program of Record. The committee also notes
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that approximately 40 percent of the Program Executive Office-Sol-
dier portfolio was started or initiated within SEP, such as Soldier
Borne Sensors, AT 4 Confined Space Warhead, Polymer Magazines,
and 50 Cal. Quick Change Barrel.
Therefore, the committee recommends $5.0 million for continu-
ation of the SEP. The committee also directs the Secretary of the
Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Serv-
ices, not later than December 1, 2020, on the current and future
programs being evaluated by the SEP.
Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Industrial base
The committee is concerned by the strategic risk the Army may
be accepting in the defense tactical wheeled vehicle (TWV) indus-
trial base. The committee notes the Army has specifically used tac-
tical wheeled vehicles, such as the Family of Medium Tactical Ve-
hicles (FMTV), Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), High Mobility
Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), and Heavy Expanded
Mobile Tactical Truck (HEMTT), as bill payers for its higher pri-
ority development and modernization programs.
The committee further notes that truncated plans and resources
for the development or procurement of upgrades and replacements
for these vehicles has resulted in uncertainty and a lack of predict-
ability over time. This ultimately increases cost for the Army as
well as creates significant risks in the loss of capacity and capa-
bility in the TWV industrial base. As the committee predicted two
years ago, the drastic, unexpected decrease in procurement projec-
tions for these vehicle programs has negatively affected the me-
dium and heavy tactical wheeled vehicle industrial base. The com-
mittee believes the TWV industrial base needs stability and pre-
dictability from the Army in its near and longer-term plans and
programs that appropriately manages risks through investment in
production levels that meet or exceed agreed upon minimum sus-
taining rates ensuring its availability to support the Army in cur-
rent operations and into the future.
Accordingly, the committee directs that the Secretary of the
Army, not later than December 15, 2020, to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services on the Army’s near and
long-term strategy to meet the Army current and future require-
ments for tactical wheeled vehicles. The briefing should also ad-
dress how the Army will assess and manage risk in the industrial
base to include detailed development and acquisition plans as well
as funding profiles through the future years defense program.
AIRCRAFT PROCUREMENT, NAVY
Items of Special Interest
Anti-submarine warfare low frequency sonar capability
The budget request included $131.6 million for MH–60 modifica-
tions.
The committee continues to be concerned with the threat that ad-
versary submarines pose to aircraft carriers. With the cancellation
of the surface ship torpedo defense program, the aircraft carrier’s
only organic anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability is the air-
borne low frequency system (ALFS) that is embarked aboard the
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MH–60 helicopters. The ALFS system has experienced a very high
mishap rate over the last 10 years and continues to demonstrate
poor reliability. The committee understands that allied partners
that also utilize MH–60 variants employ alternate low frequency
systems that not only have greater reliability but have also dem-
onstrated superior performance. The Navy has been slow to ad-
dress the poor reliability of the ALFS system despite repeated calls
for improvement by the committee.
The committee recommends $136.6 million, an increase of $5.0
million, for the procurement of one helicopter-mounted low fre-
quency active sonar system for the Littoral Combat Ship ASW mis-
sion module to demonstrate other viable alternative technologies
currently available for aircraft carrier ASW risk reduction efforts.
Department of the Navy Strike-Fighter management
The budget request contained $2.97 billion for the procurement
of 24 F/A–18E/F new aircraft, and ongoing modifications, upgrades,
and improvements for the existing fleet of Department of the Navy
F/A–18 aircraft. However, the budget request did not include the
fiscal year 2020 planned advance procurement funding of $28.1
million for fiscal year 2021 that would support the previously
planned procurement of 12 F/A–18E/F new aircraft in fiscal year
2022 for the U.S. Navy. The Navy’s budget also eliminated procure-
ment of 24 new aircraft planned in fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
The committee notes that the Navy’s decision to eliminate 36
new aircraft from its fiscal year 2022 to 2025 future years defense
plan incurs greater risk for combatant commanders and increases
the Navy’s strike-fighter deficit in fiscal year 2021 from ¥49 to
¥58 aircraft. The committee notes this is equivalent to greater
than one aircraft carrier air-wing (CVW) quantity of aircraft short
of inventory requirements. Additionally, the Navy currently plans
its strike-fighter inventory without including traditional margin for
attrition reserve aircraft that would supplement forces in cases of
training or contingency operational losses of aircraft. The Navy
should budget for 54 aircraft per CVW, but instead only budgets
for 44 aircraft per CVW. Consequently, the Navy has an actual def-
icit of ¥148 strike-fighter aircraft when including attrition reserve
planning factors.
The Navy hopes to resolve its strike-fighter deficit in 2035 with
initial fielding of its next-generation fighter, FA–XX, which is in
the concept development stages of execution. The committee recalls
the Navy curtailed F/A–18 procurement approximately 10 years
ago with aspirational goals to maintain strike-fighter inventory lev-
els with planned procurement of F–35C. That plan was not realized
due to F–35 program execution and subsequently required the
Navy to procure additional F/A–18E/F aircraft to reduce oper-
ational risk. The committee expects a similar outcome may occur
with the Navy’s current plan for FA–XX due to affordability and
technological challenges, as well as initial results from the F/A–
18E/F Service Life Modification (SLM) program. Due to the Navy’s
non-compliance with field maintenance procedures, practices and
tooling recommended by the original equipment manufacturer,
compounded by the Navy’s inability to consolidate scheduled unit-
level maintenance inspections and repairs, the Navy has encoun-
tered widespread corrosion in unpredicted areas on F/A–18E/F air-
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14
craft causing a 135 percent increase in costs for the initial two air-
craft finishing the SLM program. The Navy subsequently reduced
the planned induction quantity of aircraft in fiscal year 2021 from
18 to 10 aircraft.
Therefore, the committee supports and encourages the Navy to
procure additional F/A–18E/F new aircraft beyond fiscal year 2021.
Additionally, the committee directs the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than March 1, 2021, that assesses the
operational risk incurred for regional combatant commanders to
meet steady-state and contingency requirements as a result of the
Navy not budgeting for attrition reserve aircraft in its strike-fight-
er force planning. Finally, the committee directs the Department of
Defense Inspector General to provide a report to the congressional
defense committees not later than September 30, 2021, that as-
sesses all Active and Reserve Navy and Marine Corps F/A–18C/D/
E/F/G aircraft squadrons regarding adherence to organizational
and unit-level maintenance and repair technical orders and proce-
dures prescribed by the original equipment manufacturer, in par-
ticular those processes and procedures designed to mitigate damage
and degradation to the aircraft and structural components due to
corrosion incurred by operations in harsh sand and salt-water envi-
ronments.
P–8 aircraft
The committee notes that the budget request contained no funds
for P–8A Poseidon aircraft. The budget request for fiscal year 2021
did not take into account the increased warfighter requirement of
19 additional P–8A aircraft. This increase is driven by the pro-
liferation of adversarial submarine fleets and their increasingly ac-
tive operational tempo. The new requirement includes 12 aircraft
to recapitalize the 2 maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadrons
assigned to the Navy Reserve. These squadrons currently operate
legacy P–3C Orion aircraft, and the Chief of Navy Reserve esti-
mates they will decommission by 2023 unless they are recapitalized
with new aircraft. The committee is encouraged by the Navy’s rec-
ognition of the Navy Reserve force and the contribution they can
provide to the increased requirement for the P–8A. However, the
committee was discouraged that the Navy failed to budget for the
additional aircraft to meet the warfighting requirement.
The committee recommends $1.02 billion for P–8A procurement,
to procure six additional P–8A aircraft in fiscal year 2021.
VH–92A Executive Helicopter training aircraft
The VH–92A program is the replacement for the current fleet of
executive helicopters flown by Marine Helicopter Squadron One
(HMX–1) in support of the Presidential world-wide vertical-lift mis-
sion. Despite the importance of the VH–92 mission, the program
currently has no dedicated training aircraft for pilot or maintainer
flight training and aircraft familiarization. The committee is aware
the Department of the Navy is reviewing a requirement for five
CH–92A training aircraft to supplement the VH–92A fleet. The
committee understands that if the requirement change is validated,
the CH–92A aircraft would facilitate Fleet Marine Force pilot and
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maintainer transition training as well as provide logistic mission
support for the executive flight detachment.
Helicopter pilots assigned to HMX–1 go through an extensive
pilot conversion training syllabus prior to flying the Presidential
missions. The committee recognizes that adding the CH–92A air-
craft would enable pilots to maintain monthly and annual flight
time minimums without impacting operational Presidential lift as-
sets. The committee also notes that newly assigned aircraft crew
chiefs and maintenance personnel could start training on the CH–
92A while awaiting their security clearances, a process that can
take up to a year to complete.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to
provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by No-
vember 1, 2020, on training requirements for the VH–92A aircraft.
This report should encompass flight and maintenance training re-
quirements and should examine the need for dedicated CH–92A
trainer aircraft for both training and augmentation of HMX–1
‘‘greenside’’ operations. The committee expects this report to pro-
vide a cost/benefit analysis of acquiring CH–92A aircraft and an as-
sessment of the risk that potential industrial base changes, includ-
ing a manufacturing facility closure, would pose to the ability to
meet a validated trainer aircraft requirement. The National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92)
directed an assessment of risks to the VH–92A industrial base, but
the response received from the Secretary of the Navy provided none
of the requested information or analysis.
WEAPONS PROCUREMENT, NAVY
Items of Special Interest
Fleet Proficiency for Ballistic Missile Defense
The committee is concerned about the fleet proficiency of the
Navy’s ballistic missile defense ships and crews. The Navy’s Aerial
Targets program provides threat representative aerial targets for
test and evaluation and fleet training events. The threat represent-
ative targets are used to test and evaluate both ship and crew and
are required for fleet proficiency evaluation prior deployment or
fielding systems to the fleet. However, the Navy does currently not
have an inventory of affordable ballistic missile, threat-representa-
tive targets to test and evaluate the proficiency of its ballistic mis-
sile defense ships and crews to include new Aegis DDG construc-
tion and modernization. The committee believes the inability to test
and evaluate its ballistic missile defense ships and crews against
threat-representative targets directly impacts the overall pro-
ficiency, readiness and combat capability of the fleet.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to
provide a briefing to the committee by November 30, 2020, that in-
cludes a plan to fund the procurement of low-cost, subscale ballistic
missile threat-representative targets to maintain the fleet pro-
ficiency of the Navy’s ballistic missile defense ships and crews. The
plan will include, at a minimum, an assessment of current ballistic
missile defense fleet proficiency, current use of threat-representa-
tive targets for ballistic missile defense testing and evaluation bro-
ken down by ship and crew, funding and number of low-cost,
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subscale ballistic missile threat-representative targets required to
maintain ballistic missile defense fleet proficiency, and direction for
Navy Air Systems Command and Surface Warfare Directorate to
execute procurement and execution of the ballistic missile defense
fleet proficiency plan.
SHIPBUILDING AND CONVERSION, NAVY
Items of Special Interest
Advanced degaussing for DDG–51 destroyers
The committee understands that the DDG–51 destroyers, includ-
ing the latest Flight III version, incorporate a mine protection
degaussing system dating back to the lead ship, DDG–51, commis-
sioned on July 4, 1991. This more than 28-year-old degaussing
mine protection system is seriously out of date, significantly out-
side of the Navy’s own magnetic signature specifications, and
leaves the Navy’s primary large surface combatant, with a crew of
329, vulnerable to the most basic mines available today. The Navy
has invested considerable research and development funding to de-
velop advanced degaussing systems, the latest of which will be in-
corporated into LPD 28/29/30, that will provide greater than five
times more effective mine protection than the current system
aboard all the DDG–51 destroyers. The newest advanced
degaussing systems are a third of the weight, requiring a third of
the cable and cable length and typically require less electrical
power. The committee believes the Navy should consider a backfit
plan for in-service destroyers as well as a plan to incorporate an
advanced degaussing system on new-construction destroyers.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by Feb-
ruary 1, 2021, on the potential to backfit in-service destroyers with
advanced degaussing as well as the potential for incorporating it on
new-construction destroyers.
Aegis combatants and 5th Generation aircraft interoperability
The committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a
classified report and briefing to the House and Senate defense com-
mittees not later than December 1, 2020 on interoperability chal-
lenges among combatant ships and between AEGIS combatants
and 5th Generation tactical aircraft. This report shall include:
(1) a review of the Fire Control Loop Improvement Program, the
Accelerated Mid-Term Interoperability Improvement Project, the
Far-Term Interoperability Improvement Project and the introduc-
tion of Interrogation Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5 into all ship class-
es and applicable aircraft;
(2) a plan to integrate the Multifunction Advanced Data Link of
the F35 with legacy Tactical Data Links, including planned invest-
ments, timelines for integration and capabilities and limitations for
our legacy platforms and command and control networks;
(3) plans to unify surface combat systems’ hardware platforms
and software suites with investment plans and timelines;
(4) findings of Strike Force Interoperability Officers since FY12
and the Navy’s performance at reducing the identified deficiencies;
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(5) reasons for differences within the Common Source Library as
fielded and the challenges these differences cause in planning
strike group operations and the presumed differences between
strike group capabilities in high end conflicts.
Amphibious Shipbuilding
The Committee notes the President’s Budget Request for Fiscal
Year 2021 includes $1.156 billion for LPD 31, the 2nd ship of the
San Antonio-class LPD Flight II, which was authorized in the Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (P.L. 116–
92). The Committee continues to support the most efficient procure-
ment and construction of these warships and further notes there
are only 2 active amphibious vessel production lines within the
shipbuilding industrial base. In the absence of a 30 Year Ship-
building Plan, Future Naval Force Study, and Integrated Naval
Force Structure Assessment, the only available shipbuilding fore-
cast available for review is the Future Years’ Defense Plan accom-
panying the fiscal year 2021 request. The Future Years’ Defense
Plan forecasts construction of 3 additional amphibious warships,
including an America-class LHA amphibious assault ship and 2
San Antonio-class LPD Flight II vessels. The Committee is further
aware of recent guidance issued by the Commandant of the Marine
Corps which envisions new approaches and new platforms for the
integrated naval force. The Committee supports developing addi-
tional amphibious capabilities to enable these new approaches
while maintaining the existing industrial base to produce surviv-
able L-class warships that support the integrated naval force.
The Committee is aware of alternative contracting strategies for
the construction of these warships which may reduce the overall
cost of acquisition. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary
of the Navy to provide a report within 180 days which provides op-
tions for the most efficient procurement of the 3 forecasted amphib-
ious warships. The report should include a list of any additional
necessary legislative authorities and an estimate of cost efficiencies
generated by each option.
DDG–51 multiyear procurement
The committee continues to support the 355-ship fleet codified in
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Pub-
lic Law 115–91) as an essential part of the National Defense Strat-
egy and its emphasis on near-peer competitors such as Russia and
China. DDG–51 destroyers are the backbone of the surface fleet,
providing multi-mission flexibility and increasing capability with
the introduction of Flight III and the AN/SPY–6 radar. With plans
for the future Large Surface Combatant toward the end of this dec-
ade, and the current multiyear procurement of DDG–51s running
through fiscal year 2022, it is imperative that another 10-ship
multiyear contract is awarded for fiscal year 2023 to ensure that
Flight III capability will be available to the fleet. Such efforts will
further strengthen the defense industrial base, maximize savings,
and provide the shipyards a clear projection of work. Therefore, the
committee encourages the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary
of the Navy to make all necessary steps that will allow for another
multiyear contract for DDG–51 Flight IIIs beginning in fiscal year
2023.
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National Surface Warship Engineering and Design Capability
The Committee notes the President’s Fiscal Year 2021 Budget
does not forecast funding for any new surface shipbuilding pro-
grams throughout the Future Years’ Defense Plan (FYDP). The
Committee is aware of testimony from senior naval officials sug-
gesting that the DDG–51 Flight III design is effectively complete
and that the ship will continue its procurement throughout the
FYDP, with a potential additional multiyear procurement for DDG
Flight III beginning in fiscal year 2023. The Committee also recog-
nizes that when the detailed design for FFG(X) is completed in
2022, there will be no active national surface combatant engineer-
ing and design efforts underway that will allow for the preserva-
tion of this critical and strategic domestic defense capability.
The design and development talent needed to create and sustain
surface warship programs, like the DDG–51 and its successors, re-
quires unique and increasingly scarce maritime systems and tech-
nological expertise. In the rapidly evolving threat environment, en-
gineers and designers must also support the essential integration
of complex next generation technologies such as autonomous and
unmanned vehicles, hypersonic missiles, directed energy weapons,
larger radars and other vital technologies.
The Committee believes this engineering and design capability
must be maintained in order to produce the Large Surface Combat-
ant, Next Generation Amphibious warship, and potential un-
manned surface vessels across the shipbuilding industrial base.
Moreover, the Committee believes that the challenges confronting
future surface ship combatants such as production and operations
costs, energy management, and the flexibility to accommodate cur-
rent and evolving technologies are addressable via a robust and
properly sequenced engineering and design activity. The Com-
mittee notes similar actions have been successfully taken to ensure
the health of the nuclear engineering and design industrial base
with positive results that enabled the next generation of nuclear-
powered aircraft carriers and submarines to be designed and pro-
duced efficiently.
Therefore, not later than 180 days after enactment, the Com-
mittee directs the Secretary of the Navy to assess the current and
future workloads of the surface ship engineering and design indus-
trial base and provide recommendations for the sustainment of this
critical national capability. Such recommendations should be in-
formed by both the current program of record but should also in-
clude industry’s perspective on how to best fortify and retain the
capability and capacity resident in several locations nationwide.
Navy Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance Ships (T–AGOS) Pro-
gram
The committee is aware of the Navy’s requirement for seven
Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) ocean surveillance
ships to support the Military Sealift Command’s theater anti-sub-
marine warfare mission for the Pacific and Atlantic fleets. The
Navy currently operates five ships, but according to the Program
of Record, it needs seven ships to meet increasing requirements.
The cost per ship and current fiscal year funding level will not sup-
port this need.
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In order to address the increased requirements and achieve sig-
nificant cost and schedule savings, the committee directs the Sec-
retary of the Navy to submit a report to the Committees on Armed
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives by Janu-
ary 1, 2021, outlining options to support a fleet of seven SWATH
ships, support a T–AGOS (X) competition based on a performance
specification for the ship which meets the U.S. Navy’s mission re-
quirements, and presents significant cost savings opportunities as
well as accelerates the timing of deployment of this capability.
Ship Counting Methodology
In light of expanding maritime threats, the committee strongly
supports efforts to grow naval force structure to support section
1025 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2018 (P.L. 115–91) entitled ‘‘Policy of the United States on Min-
imum Number of Battle Force Ships’’. As the Navy continues to de-
velop the Integrated Naval Force Structure and 30 Year Ship-
building plan, there has been increasing discussion, including from
the Department of the Navy, whether unmanned vessels should be
included in the Department’s ship counting methodology. Recog-
nizing both the growing promise of unmanned vessels and the im-
portant roles played by existing battle force inventory ships, the
committee believes the Secretary of the Navy should examine the
intrinsic warfighting capabilities of vessels when considering its fu-
ture ship counting methodology. Therefore, the Committee directs
the Secretary of the Navy to provide a report to the congressional
defense committees, by January 1, 2021 as to Navy’s plan to assess
the family of unmanned underwater and surface vessels incorpora-
tion into the ship counting methodology of section 231(f) of title 10,
United States Code. For the purposes of making this determina-
tion, for both manned and unmanned vessels, this report shall as-
sess factors such as:
(1) Intended mission, in both competition and conflict;
(2) Capability, either through a platform’s weapons, sensors, or
embarked personnel to interact with targets beyond visual range;
(3) Ability to perform fleet support functions essential to power
projection or sea control in competition or conflict.
Submarine Supplier Development
The committee recognizes that the submarine supply base lost
approximately 12,000 suppliers since the end of the Cold War. Ma-
terial provided by the submarine industrial base is planned to grow
by more than 200 percent over the next 5 years, after more than
two decades of nurturing a fragile industrial base where 75 percent
of funding for supplier material was awarded to single or sole-
source suppliers. Congress authorized and appropriated funding in
fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2020 and provided flexible authori-
ties supporting submarine industrial base expansion and stability
initiatives. In fiscal year 2019, the Navy identified 324 suppliers as
execution-critical and has been conducting assessments of the
health and readiness of those suppliers. In the 2020 assessment,
the number of critical suppliers has grown to 350, of which 61 have
been identified as challenged to meet future demand. The com-
mittee believes that continued investment in supplier development
will reduce material lead times and improve the ability of the sub-
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20
marine industrial base to meet challenging construction schedules
at higher rates of production. Therefore, the committee encourages
the Secretary of the Navy to include supplier development funding
in future budget requests until the number of challenged suppliers
has been significantly reduced.
Technology Insertion in New Ship Designs
The committee recognizes that ongoing delays on the lead FORD
class aircraft carrier may indicate systemic problems with Navy
shipbuilding practices with how new technologies are developed
and incorporated. It is unfortunate that new technologies such as
the advanced weapons elevators were not prototyped before being
incorporated on the lead ship, a mistake that has contributed to
lengthy delays. The committee is concerned with the Navy’s deci-
sion to accept a ship that still had major discrepancies. The com-
mittee supports expanded prototyping activities for new tech-
nologies to ensure required reliability is obtained before ship au-
thorization. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the
Navy to submit a report to the congressional defense committees
by February 1, 2021 detailing the number of times the Navy has
accepted a ship prior to the incorporation and completion of major
subsystems over the last twenty years, the circumstances that
drove the Navy to accept such ship, and the length of time between
acceptance and final incorporation of such subsystems. Addition-
ally, the committee directs the Secretary to specifically assess
emerging technologies, their associated technology readiness levels
and required prototyping activities that are being incorporated in
emerging programs including the following specific programs: Co-
lumbia-class ballistic missile submarine; the guided missiles frig-
ate; the next generation attack submarine; large surface combat-
ant; and, the large unmanned surface vessel.
Variable Depth Sonar for DDG–51 destroyers
The committee recognizes and supports the Navy’s efforts to le-
verage mature technologies and systems for the DDG–51 and small
surface combatant programs. The committee continues to encour-
age the Secretary of the Navy to emphasize commonality across
Navy platforms, commonality with existing platform equipment,
and reduced acquisition and lifecycle and sustainment costs in de-
veloping a best value solution for the platform. However, the com-
mittee also believes it is critical that the Navy increase technical
capabilities, particularly in the area of anti-submarine warfare
(ASW). Given ongoing efforts by adversarial nations to increase the
capability, lethality, and size of their respective submarine fleets,
the committee recognizes the critical role the DDG–51 and small
surface combatants will play in performing ASW missions around
the globe. As such, it is imperative that the platform be deployed
with the most capable ASW technology available.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than February 1, 2021, on the feasibility of backfitting the
AN/SQS–62 Variable Depth Sonar system on surface combatants.
The briefing shall include:
(a) an explanation of the current DDG–51 ASW performance ca-
pabilities, including any plans for ensuring the DDG–51s are part
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of a broader implementation of low-frequency active capabilities
aboard tactical surface ships;
(b) an analysis of commonality with program of record ASW sys-
tems, particularly those recently developed as part of the littoral
combat ship ASW Mission Package, to include common hardware,
spares, training, and logistics;
(c) an acquisition plan, including schedule, for AN/SQS–62
backfit into DDG–51s;
(d) the program schedule to fully incorporate AN/SQS–62 into the
ASW mission packages associated with the littoral combat ship;
and
(e) an assessment of options to forward fit AN/SQS–62 into frig-
ate.
Virginia-class submarine
The budget request included $2.33 billion for one Virginia-class
submarine. The committee was discouraged to see that the second
submarine that had been previously planned and was reflected in
the fiscal year 2020 budget, was no longer included in the budget
request despite clear direction from Congress in the National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92).
This not only conflicts with years of testimony from combatant
commanders, not only deepens the gap between the projected fleet
size versus the requirement, but it also puts the Department of De-
fense’s highest priority procurement program, the Columbia-class
ballistic missile submarine, at additional risk. Due to the nature of
the multiyear procurement contract, the true impact of not funding
the second Virginia-class submarine in fiscal year 2021 will not be
realized until 2023, at a time when both shipyards are reaching a
peak in their hiring in order to support the construction of the first
Columbia-class submarine. A decline in Virginia-class work during
that period will likely have a dramatic impact on the Columbia pro-
gram due to the hiring agreements that were previously negotiated
between the labor unions and the two shipyards. The committee
believes that all measures should be taken to avoid any disruptions
to the Columbia-class submarine program, which has consumed all
schedule margin and is still at great risk of achieving its required
first strategic patrol date.
Therefore, the committee recommends $4.43 billion, an increase
of $2.1 billion, for a second Virginia-class submarine.
OTHER PROCUREMENT, NAVY
Items of Special Interest
Laser shock peening (LSP) technology
The committee notes there are several ship classes that use alu-
minum in ship construction. Unfortunately, in the construction of
22 in-service Cruisers (CG) constructed between 1980–1994 with
aluminum superstructures, these aluminum structures are experi-
encing fatigue. The committee notes that there are unique issues
associated with the CG superstructure lifecycle maintenance costs.
The committee supports the use of innovative aluminum fatigue
interventions to extend the service life of these ships. The com-
mittee notes the use of laser shock peening (LSP) technology to
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22
mitigate these challenges with aluminum and understands that
LSP has been used in various high-risk, high-quality industries to
include the nuclear industry and aviation sectors.
The committee supports the use of innovative maintenance op-
tions that provide increased aluminum survivability, resiliency,
and battlefield longevity for current and future classes of warships
constructed with aluminum. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to provide a brief to the House Committee
on Armed Services by February 1, 2021 that assesses specific appli-
cations and tooling, such as LSP and others, that can be used to
extend the life of aluminum superstructures.
Long-term charter requirements
The committee notes that the Secretary of the Navy has entered
long-term charter agreements for nine transoceanic vessels for the
Departments of the Navy and Army. The committee believes that
organic transoceanic vessels may be more cost effective than the
long-term charter strategy currently employed by the Secretary of
the Navy. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the
Navy to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Serv-
ices by February 1, 2021, on alternative force structure options to
support these long-term charter requirements. The briefing shall
include an assessment of the current long-term charter require-
ments and a cost comparison of an organic fleet capability com-
pared with the long-term charters.
Pilot program regarding the viability of electronic actuators
The committee recognizes that a variety of shipboard systems
rely on remote valve actuation for system operations for shipboard
safety. Fuel, water, ballast/de-ballast, ventilation, and fire main
systems all depend on reliable remote valves and actuators to prop-
erly align system configurations. When remote valve actuation
fails, there are two choices: work around the failed valve by re-
configuring a system or have sailors attempt to manually align the
valve. Either choice is a known departure from design standards
and manifests as reduced readiness. The committee recognizes that
technological advances have been made in shipboard electronic ac-
tuators. These actuators appear to be more reliable and provide
electronic limit-switching, which eliminates drift. They also have
reliable communication with the ship’s machinery control system
and are much easier for sailors to maintain. These actuators could
lead to a much lower sustainment cost for the Navy.
The budget request included $50.5 million for LPD class support
equipment. The committee recommends $55.5 million, an increase
of $5.0 million, for a pilot program aboard LPD 17 class amphib-
ious ships in order to demonstrate the viability and reliability of
shipboard electronic actuators.
Unmanned maritime systems
The Navy is refocusing its maritime strategy to counter an in-
creasing competition among nations in the maritime environment,
coupled with a rapid rise in technological creation and adoption of
new weapons. To expedite technology development and accelerate
fielding initial capabilities, the Navy is using a range of new acqui-
sition authorities that allow the department to bypass traditional
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lines of program oversight. In particular, the Navy has added sig-
nificant resources to its budget to rapidly and aggressively acquire
a family of over 200 new unmanned and optionally manned surface
and undersea vehicles. While unmanned maritime systems offer
promise, past efforts, such as the Remote Minehunting Vehicle,
have proven costly and unsuccessful.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of the
United States to provide a report to the congressional defense com-
mittees by March 1, 2021, on a review of the Navy’s unmanned
surface and undersea vehicles. As part of this review, the Comp-
troller General shall assess:
(1) the current status of the Navy’s efforts to develop and
produce unmanned and optionally manned surface and undersea
vehicles, including cost and schedule;
(2) the successes and challenges the Navy is experiencing in exe-
cuting and planning its unmanned surface and undersea vehicles;
(3) the extent to which the Navy is managing requirements to
best ensure that the planned capabilities will meet mission needs;
(4) the Navy’s plans for replacing manned ships with unmanned
ships and also including unmanned systems in its ship counts; and
(5) any other areas that the Comptroller General deems appro-
priate.
PROCUREMENT, MARINE CORPS
Items of Special Interest
Marine Corps hearing protection program
The committee commends U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command
(MARCORSYSCOM) for taking proactive action to provide en-
hanced hearing protection measures in training and combat for
both infantry and artillery personnel. As hearing loss remains the
top disability claim for service members transitioning to Veterans
Administration health care, the Marine Corps has made active
hearing protection integrated with communications systems a top
priority. The committee encourages MARCORSYSCOM leadership
and program managers to continue this program as it is currently
implemented to ensure that all Marine Corps infantry and artillery
personnel in combat and training environments are provided the
best available and currently specified and fielded hearing protec-
tion solution.
Marine Corps vertical lift munitions
The committee is aware that during fiscal year 2019, the Army
conducted a successful test of an allied munition system to dem-
onstrate increased standoff and lethality for the AH–64 Apache
helicopter. The committee supports the Army’s initiative to field an
interim long-range precision munition capability for current attack
helicopters and believes that this capability could potentially pro-
vide greater standoff combat capability to similar military plat-
forms, such as the Marine Corps AH–1W SuperCobra or AH–1Z
Viper attack helicopter.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
January 15, 2021, on vertical lift munitions capabilities gaps and
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potential commercial-off-the-shelf solutions that could serve as an
interim solution for meeting future Department of the Navy
vertical lift demands. The briefing should include an analysis of re-
quirements and costs to test any relevant domestic or allied com-
mercial-off-the-shelf munitions from an AH–1W SuperCobra or
AH–1Z Viper Marine Corps attack helicopter.
Modular Aviator Body Armor Vest Acquisition Strategy
The committee is aware that the current aviation life support
equipment flight vests worn by Marine helicopter aircrews have ex-
cessive bulk which can impede the operational performance of pre-
cision mission tasks. The committee notes that U.S. Marine Corps
Aviation has a requirement for a modular aviator body armor vest
(ABAV) system that can improve mobility and performance, while
enhancing survivability by reducing weight, bulk, and heat stress.
The committee notes in fiscal year 2020, $2.2 million was requested
to purchase 1,000 vests for UH–1Y and AH–1Z, but a plan has not
been established to outfit other airframes such as the V–22 and
CH–53. Therefore, the committee directs the Deputy Commandant
for Aviation to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services by March 1, 2021, on its plan to equip CH–53 and
V–22 airframes with ABAV systems.
Rapid acquisition of rifle integrated controller
In the committee report accompanying the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (H. Rept. 116–120), the com-
mittee encouraged the Marine Corps to complete the phase 2 eval-
uation of the rifle accessory control unit (RACU) and indicated sup-
port for the capability to result in a validated requirement upon
successful completion of the phase 2 evaluation. Following develop-
ment of such a requirement, the committee encouraged the Com-
mandant of the Marine Corps to consider a rapid acquisition strat-
egy to accelerate operational testing, procurement, and fielding of
the RACU utilizing existing acquisition reform authorities. The
committee remains concerned by the lack of progress and expects
the Marine Corps to complete its phased evaluation of the RACU
in a timely manner in order to make a decision regarding rapid
production and fielding.
AIRCRAFT PROCUREMENT, AIR FORCE
Items of Special Interest
A–10 Synthetic Aperture Radar Improvements
The committee supports continued Air Force efforts to modernize
and upgrade the A–10 fleet of aircraft. However, the committee be-
lieves the Air Force could take further steps to reduce aircrew risk
and enhance the aircraft’s capability to perform close air support
in adverse weather and low-visibility environmental conditions.
The committee understands that a recent Air Force study entitled
‘‘A–10C DoDAF View CV–3 Capability Phasing Roadmap, Revision
6.6,’’ dated January 2, 2018, determined that integration of a syn-
thetic aperture radar (SAR) could resolve the capability deficiencies
in the areas of locating, identifying, tracking, and engaging targets
in the aforementioned types of environmental conditions. Con-
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25
sequently, the committee also notes that the Air Force is currently
performing an operational utility evaluation by integrating SAR ca-
pability on A–10 aircraft and evaluating workload impacts on A–
10 aircrews.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by March 1, 2021, on the status and any known findings from the
operational utility evaluation of integrating SAR capability onto A–
10 aircraft.
Airlift tactical data link
The committee is concerned with the lack of a resilient and sur-
vivable network for airlift aircraft in a highly contested operational
environment.
The National Defense Strategy’s shift to peer and near-peer
threats requires capabilities for operations in all environments. The
committee recognizes that a tactical data link provides situational
awareness and could also be a future network node for the Joint
All Domain Command and Control.
The committee is aware that modifications are in place to provide
situational awareness for the C–130J and encourages the Air Force
to consider the operational benefits of a tactical data link for other
tactical and strategic airlift.
C–130H propeller/engine upgrades
The committee notes again that the C–130H aircraft that are
flown primarily by the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve
continue to provide critical tactical airlift capabilities and will con-
tinue to support this mission for years to come. The committee is
again disappointed with the amount of time it has taken for the Air
Force to address a safety of flight issue with the legacy propeller
system of the C–130H.
Procurement of new composite propeller blades is the obvious so-
lution to this serious safety of flight and readiness issue. The Air
Force has moved slowly in addressing the issue and still refers to
the propeller upgrade as a capability improvement and not a safety
requirement. A new composite blade would also decrease mainte-
nance time and improve logistics support, which will result in in-
creased readiness. Delays are unacceptable considering the inher-
ent safety of flight and readiness risks surrounding this issue.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by January 31, 2021, updating the acquisition strategy for pro-
curing new blades. This plan should include updated estimated
costs, timelines, and a unit upgrade schedule. The briefing should
also include the Air Force plan to incorporate C–130H T–56 Series
3.5 Engine Enhancement Packages. Congress has repeatedly added
additional funds for these upgrades and the Air Force has yet to
budget for them despite the demonstrated performance benefits
and fuel efficiencies.
E–8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System
The budget request included $11.0 million for E–8 Joint Surveil-
lance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft modifications
and upgrades.
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The committee recognizes the JSTARS platform continues to be
a high-demand asset required by the global combatant commands
and notes this platform has been a vital contributor, with over
100,000 combat flying hours in every major conflict of the past two
decades. Section 147 of the John S. McCain National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232) required
the Air Force to increase JSTARS aircraft availability. Accordingly,
the committee remains concerned by the lack of modernization
funding, to include funding for necessary avionics and communica-
tions upgrades, planned and programmed for JSTARS across the
Future Years Defense Program. The committee believes the
JSTARS platform must be kept operationally relevant to meet
warfighter needs until a replacement of equal or superior capability
is fielded and operational.
The committee recommends $38.0 million, an increase of $27.0
million, for avionics and communication modernization upgrades in
order to mitigate diminishing manufacturing sources of supply and
maintain compliance with international avionics mandates.
Expanded Carriage for the B–1
The committee notes that the Secretary of the Air Force com-
pleted an expanded carriage assessment of the B–1B Lancer bomb-
er that demonstrated the feasibility of increasing the B–1B weap-
ons capacity to integrate future advanced weapons. The two poten-
tial programs—external carriage and long bay options—would
allow the B–1B to carry weapons externally, significantly increas-
ing its magazine capacity for munitions, as well as adding larger,
heavier munitions, such as hypersonic weapons. The demonstration
showed that the B–1B is able to move the bulkhead from the for-
ward intermediate bay to the forward location; increasing the inter-
mediate bay capacity from 180 inches to 269 inches. Additionally,
the demonstration determined that the bomber can still carry
weapons externally on six of the eight hard points, which increases
the B–1s overall carriage capacity. The committee further notes
that the bomber road map portends to retain the B–1 fleet through
the 2030s until their capability is replaced by the B–21 bomber.
The committee supports the continued modernization of the B–1
aircraft and urges the Secretary of the Air Force to develop a mod-
ernization roadmap that tracks with the anticipated service life of
the overall fleet. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
the Air Force to provide a brief to the House Committee on Armed
Services by February 1, 2021 as to the Secretary’s intent to provide
the expanded carriage capability and other modernization efforts to
the overall B–1 fleet.
KC–46A full rate production
The committee notes that Boeing Defense has not yet delivered
6 of 7 Lot 1 and 6 of 12 Lot 2 KC–46A aircraft. These Lot 1 and
2 aircraft were authorized in fiscal year 2015 and 2016 respec-
tively. Considering the budget request for fiscal year 2021 sup-
ported a Lot 7 order of 15 aircraft, the delays associated with Lots
1 and 2 could impact deliveries of Lot 7.
Additionally, the committee notes that the KC–46A has three
category one deficiencies: the remote vision system, the boom tele-
scope actuator, and a new excessive fuel system leak. The category
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one deficiency in the remote vision system has resulted in the Air
Force determination that the KC–46A is not capable of being oper-
ationally employed. The Air Force has assessed the remote vision
system category one deficiency will take approximately 3 to 4 years
to correct. If Boeing can maintain schedule they will have delivered
the first 6 lots representing a total of 79 aircraft that are not capa-
ble of being operationally employed.
The Air Force has indicated their intent in fiscal year 2021 to
conclude the initial operational test and evaluation and proceed to
full rate production of an aircraft that is not operationally capable.
The committee believes that a decision to enter full rate production
before these category one deficiencies are corrected and production
challenges are alleviated should be carefully considered by the
milestone decision authority. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House Com-
mittee on Armed Services by September 1, 2020, before the KC–
46A program goes into full rate production, as to how the Secretary
intends to mitigate the concurrency of development associated with
these category one deficiencies with a full rate production decision.
MQ–9 Reaper
The budget request contained $171.8 million for the MQ–9 un-
manned aircraft system but included no funding for procurement of
additional aircraft.
The committee recognizes that the MQ–9 Reaper, while an in-
valuable asset in counterterrorism and current steady-state mili-
tary operations, is not designed to operate in the contested environ-
ment of the future. The committee notes that while the Air Force
budget request for fiscal year 2021 did include $0.3 million to begin
trade studies for a next-generation medium-altitude intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability, fielding a new
capability will likely take several years. Given combatant com-
manders’ consistently high demand for ISR, the committee agrees
with Air Force plans to maintain the existing MQ–9 fleet as work
begins on a future capability.
However, the committee is concerned about the potential near-
term operational risk the Air Force is accepting in making budget-
driven decisions across its ISR portfolio rather than focusing on the
appropriate mix of capability and capacity to support the combat-
ant commands and manage impacts to the industrial base. The
committee believes that the Air Force should have planned a more
gradual reduction to MQ–9 production to avoid potential disruption
to the industrial base and increased risk in the supply chain need-
ed for sustainment of the MQ–9 fleet. The committee supports con-
tinuing procurement in fiscal year 2021 to allow the industrial base
to better plan for preservation of the MQ–9 supply chain and pro-
duction capability for future ISR requirements.
Therefore, the committee recommends $279.8 million, an in-
crease of $108.0 million, for the MQ–9 Reaper program.
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PROCUREMENT, DEFENSE-WIDE
Items of Special Interest
Commonality and cost efficiencies in degraded visual environment
systems
The committee supports recent efforts by the military services to
prioritize acquiring enhanced systems to assist aircraft navigating
degraded visual environments (DVE). The committee report accom-
panying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2020 (H. Rept. 116–120) directed the Secretary of Defense to exam-
ine available DVE capabilities and brief the committee on efforts
to develop and procure systems to improve safety of flight. The
committee understands that U.S. Special Operations Command
and the Army plan to field a DVE Quick Reaction Capability on 15
medical evacuation and 25 special operations aircraft deploying to
U.S. Central Command. Further, the committee understands that
the Air Force awarded a contract last year to install a DVE system
on the HH–60G Pave Hawk helicopter.
The committee believes that enhanced DVE should remain a pri-
ority for rotary aviation communities and encourages the military
services to continue collaborating with the goal of developing and
acquiring common joint systems where possible. To that end, the
committee directs the Secretary of the Army, in coordination with
the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force, to
provide a report to the congressional defense committees, not later
than December 1, 2020, on DVE development and acquisition, to
include systems in procurement or under consideration for procure-
ment, planned fielding schedules for these systems, identify sys-
tems being integrated on multiple programs, as well as identify
service- or platform-specific needs requiring unique capability solu-
tions.
F–35
The budget request contained $10.3 billion for the procurement
of 79 F–35 aircraft, and associated spares, modifications, depot ac-
tivations, and advanced procurement for fiscal year 2021 aircraft
for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. The budget request
contained $1.7 billion for research and development related to
deployability and suitability initiatives, Block 4 and Continuous
Capability Development and Delivery (C2D2), and Air Force dual-
capable aircraft efforts. The committee notes that the unfunded pri-
ority lists for the Air Force and Navy contained 12 F–35A and 5
F–35C aircraft, respectively.
The committee continues support for the F–35 program and un-
derstands it is a capability needed against potential adversary’s ad-
vanced integrated air defense systems operating against the United
States or its foreign partners and allies during high-end contin-
gencies. However, the committee maintains the same concerns re-
garding the F–35 program as expressed in the committee report ac-
companying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2020 (H. Rept. 116–120), in addition to the issues highlighted in
two recent Government Accountability Office reports (GAO–20–151
and GAO–20–316). Furthermore, the committee notes that the De-
fense Contract Management Agency observed during the July 2019
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through December 2019 time period that the quality evaluation
metrics for suppliers remained steady at a satisfactory level, but
that production shortages had increased for overall suppliers, and
overall quality and delivery evaluation metrics had degraded for all
23 suppliers designated as critical suppliers. Finally, the committee
is concerned with issues regarding mitigation of F–35 physiological
episode occurrences and software testing to ensure capability and
compatibility with the F–35 fire-control radar and currently cer-
tified weapons.
Consequently, the committee includes three provisions elsewhere
in this Act, that would require providing the congressional defense
committees information on the F–35 program’s progress for resolv-
ing physiological episode occurrences, the methodologies for exe-
cuting operational flight program software testing, and the Depart-
ment’s formal evaluation of the program’s preparedness for enter-
ing full-rate production.
Ground tactical vehicles for special operations forces
The budget request included $33.1 million for the procurement of
ground tactical vehicles and modifications for special operations
forces (SOF). The committee recognizes the necessity of agile and
innovative technologies to support SOF efforts to counter violent
extremism and compete with near-peer competitors.
The Non-Standard Commercial Vehicles (NSCV) and Ground Mo-
bility Vehicles (GMV) capabilities enable SOF to execute an array
of critical global missions including counterterrorism, counterpro-
liferation, and unconventional warfare. NSCVs are low-signature
vehicles chosen to blend in with the surroundings of the operating
environment and can be modified to support a variety of SOF ac-
tivities. The GMV 1.1 is an inherently mobile capability, transport-
able by a MH–47 to allow SOF operators a fast roll-on/roll-off capa-
bility ideal for a full spectrum of operations.
The committee supports the budget request of $33.1 million for
the procurement of ground tactical vehicles for SOF.
Increased research for counter unmanned aircraft systems in aus-
tere locations abroad
The budget request contained $293.3 million for Warrior Sys-
tems. Of this amount, $12.5 million was requested for the counter
unmanned aircraft system (cUAS) program.
The committee notes that there is currently an operational re-
quirement for increased research and development into cUAS capa-
bilities. Recent events in Syria, Iraq, and Djibouti highlight that
this is an increasing threat to military personnel engaged in coun-
tering violent extremism and great power competition missions
which, if left underdeveloped, the committee understands to be an
immediate threat challenging U.S. strategic locations abroad.
The committee is aware of the efforts underway by the U.S.
Army to evaluate and field alternative cUAS capabilities to meet
the force protection needs of the joint force. The committee sup-
ports U.S. Army efforts, but appreciates the testing and experimen-
tation of such emergent cUAS capabilities in austere locations fa-
cilitated by U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Given
the rapid pursuit of armed unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) tech-
nologies by adversaries of the United States, the committee under-
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stands that desirable criteria for any cUAS technologies must be
able to autonomously search, identify, and track threats while fus-
ing multiple data sources with the sense-making ability enabled by
radar, electro-optical, and infrared collection capabilities to employ
an effect against adversary UAS.
While the committee notes that such individual technologies
exist today to meet this force protection requirement, work remains
to integrate these requirements in more austere environments.
Therefore, the committee recommends $17.5 million, an increase of
$5.0 million, for further development of an integrated, multi-sensor
autonomous cUAS program.
Further, the committee directs the Commander, USSOCOM, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
October 30, 2020, on the efforts to develop and field test autono-
mous, multi-sensor cUAS capabilities in austere environments. The
briefing shall also include details on efforts to share best practices
and capability updates with the U.S. Army, as designated lead for
cUAS systems and strategies development for the joint force.
Replacement of Special Operations Command DHC–8 aircraft
The budget request contained $5.0 million in Manned ISR for the
manned intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) program.
The committee recognizes the importance of maintaining dedicated
airborne ISR platforms, including the DHC–8, for U.S. military
forces operating in austere environments, as ISR provides unique
collection, overwatch, and force protection capabilities in dynamic
and complex threat environments. On January 5, 2020, the ter-
rorist organization known as al-Shabaab attacked U.S. forces sta-
tioned at Camp Simba in Manda Bay, Kenya. The DHC–8 was one
of the several aircraft destroyed in that attack.
Therefore, the committee recommends $45.1 million, an increase
of $40.1 million, in Manned ISR for the U.S. Special Operations
Command manned ISR program to replace the DHC–8 due to com-
bat loss while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom–Horn of Af-
rica missions.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
SUBTITLE A—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
Section 101—Authorization of Appropriations
This section would authorize appropriations for procurement at
the levels identified in section 4101 of division D of this Act.
SUBTITLE B—NAVY PROGRAMS
Section 111—Independent Cost Estimate of FFG(X) Frigate
Program
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to ensure
that an independent cost estimate has been completed prior to
milestone B.
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SUBTITLE C—AIR FORCE PROGRAMS
Section 121—Modification of Force Structure Objectives for B–1
Bomber Aircraft
This provision would amend section 9062(h)(2) of title 10, United
States Code, by changing the B–1 combat coded aircraft require-
ment from 36 to 24. This provision also sets requirements for stor-
age and maintainer billets.
Section 122—Extension of Limitation on Availability of Funds for
Retirement of RC–135 Aircraft
This section would prohibit the Air Force from retiring, or pre-
paring to retire, any RC–135 aircraft through fiscal year 2025 until
60 days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense certifies
to the congressional defense committees that equivalent RC–135
capacity and capability exists to meet combatant commander re-
quirements for indications and warning, intelligence preparation of
the operational environment, and direct support to kinetic and non-
kinetic operations.
Section 123—Modification of Limitation on Availability of Funds
for Retirement of E–8 JSTARS Aircraft
This section would amend section 147(a) of the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115 232) to prohibit any use of funds authorized to be appro-
priated in fiscal year 2021 or any subsequent year for the Air Force
to retire, or prepare to retire, any E–8 Joint Surveillance Target
Attack Radar System aircraft until the date on which the Secretary
of Defense certifies to the congressional defense committees that
there is a replacement capability identified that meets or exceeds
the current capability and capacity of the 16-aircraft E–8 fleet to
meet global combatant command requirements.
Section 124—Limitation on Availability of Funds for the Advanced
Battle Management System Pending Certification Relating to
RQ–4 Aircraft
This section would limit obligation or expenditure of 50 percent
of the funding available for the Advanced Battle Management Sys-
tem until one of three conditions is met: (1) the Secretary of the
Air Force certifies that the Air Force will not retire any RQ–4 Glob-
al Hawk aircraft during fiscal year 2021; (2) the Under Secretary
of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment certifies that the vali-
dated operating and sustainment costs of any capability developed
to replace the RQ–4 aircraft are less than the validated operating
and sustainment costs for the RQ–4 aircraft on a comparable flight-
hour cost basis, and the Chairman of the Joint Requirements Over-
sight Council certifies that any replacement capability for the RQ–
4 aircraft would result in equal or greater capability available to
the commanders of the combatant commands and would not result
in less capacity available to the commanders of the combatant com-
mands; or (3) the Secretary of Defense certifies that a replacement
capability for the RQ–4 aircraft is worth increased operating and
sustainment costs.
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Section 125—Inventory Requirements for Certain Air Refueling
Tanker Aircraft
This section would prohibit the use of funds authorized to be ap-
propriated in fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year 2023 for the retirement
of any KC–135 aircraft, or reduce the number of primary mission
KC–135 aircraft. This section would also require the Air Force to
maintain a minimum of 50 primary mission KC–10A aircraft in fis-
cal year 2021, 38 primary mission KC–10A aircraft in fiscal year
2022, and 26 primary mission KC–10A aircraft in fiscal year 2023.
Section 126—Limitation on Production of KC–46A Aircraft
This section would prohibit purchasing more than the 12 KC–
46A aircraft in fiscal year 2021 until certain category-one defi-
ciencies are fixed. This section would also require the Secretary of
the Air Force to provide a report by February 1, 2021, on the
schedule for the correction of each category-one deficiency de-
scribed, a plan to engage an independent test organization to verify
the effectiveness of any proposed solutions to such category-one de-
ficiencies; and an acquisition strategy for the aircraft that identifies
principal acquisition milestones; and will ensure that there is suffi-
cient competition for the procurement of a nondevelopmental tank-
er aircraft at the conclusion of the KC–46A production contract.
Section 127—Assessment and Certification Relating to OC–135
Aircraft
This section would prohibit the Air Force from retiring, or pre-
paring to retire, any OC–135 aircraft in fiscal year 2021 until 90
days after the date on which the Secretary of the Air Force pro-
vides a report and a certification to the congressional defense com-
mittees on the feasibility and cost effectiveness of using the OC–
135 aircraft to fulfill other unclassified aerial imagery require-
ments for alternative missions.
Section 128—Modernization Plan for Airborne Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force to pro-
vide a comprehensive strategy for Air Force airborne intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to ensure alignment be-
tween requirements, future Air Force budget submissions, and au-
thorization of appropriations. The required plan would cover cur-
rent steady-state, contingency, and future multidomain operations
for Air Force ISR. This section would also require the Air Force to
submit a classified annex to the report as necessary.
The Air Force fiscal year 2021 budget request included several
significant changes to ISR force mix and modernization. The re-
quest proposed immediate divestment of all RQ–4 Global Hawk
Block 30 multi-intelligence aircraft, as well as an end to the MQ–
9 Reaper production line in fiscal year 2020 without any time to
allow for adequate supply chain management planning. While
these changes may align with long-term Air Force strategy, the ab-
sence of such a strategy incorporating both current and future ca-
pabilities concerns the committee. The committee expects the di-
rected strategy to address required capabilities and capacities, to
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identify anticipated gaps in both areas, and to cover both manned
and unmanned ISR capabilities.
Section 129—Minimum Bomber Aircraft Force Level
This section would require a report not later than February 1,
2021, by the Secretary of the Air Force on the bomber aircraft force
structure that enables the Air Force to meet the requirements of
its long-range strike mission under the National Defense Strategy.
SUBTITLE D—DEFENSE-WIDE, JOINT, AND MULTISERVICE MATTERS
Section 131—Documentation Relating to the F–35 Aircraft
Program
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to provide
the congressional defense committees with certain information and
certifications by the Secretary regarding cost, schedule, risk, pro-
gram execution and significant deficiency resolution plans in the
areas of production, Block 4 hardware and software development,
modernization, upgrades and training systems for the F–35 pro-
gram before entering full-rate production and a Milestone C acqui-
sition award can be granted by the Secretary.
Section 132—Notification on Software Regression Testing for F–35
Aircraft
This section would require the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment, in consultation with the Director,
Operational Test and Evaluation, to provide the congressional de-
fense committees with a notification not later than 30 days after
F–35 air vehicle or mission systems production software is released
to units under the F–35 program’s continuous capability develop-
ment and delivery process. The notification would include informa-
tion regarding:
(1) what type and method of regression testing was completed
prior to production release of the software to ensure compatibility
and proper functionality with the F–35 fire control radar system
and any weapons currently certified for carriage and employment
for each variant of F–35 aircraft;
(2) which entities, U.S. Government entities or U.S. Government
contractors, performed the production software regression testing;
(3) a list of deficiencies discovered during the production software
regression testing and what software modifications were completed
to resolve or mitigate any software deficiencies noted; and
(4) a list of deficiencies discovered during the software regression
testing that may or may not be corrected in later F–35 production
software releases.
Section 133—Notification on Efforts to Replace Inoperable Ejection
Seat Aircraft Locator Beacons
This section would require the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment to provide the congressional defense
committees a semiannual written notification about the efforts
being undertaken by the senior acquisition executives of the De-
partment of the Air Force and the Department of the Navy to re-
place emergency locator seat beacons in ejection-seat equipped air-
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craft that have been found to be inoperable in water, and the fund-
ing budgeted for such efforts. The Under Secretary would be re-
quired to report on the issue until locator beacons are replaced in
all affected ejection-seat equipped aircraft, or a period of 5 years
has elapsed since the date the initial report is received by the con-
gressional defense committees.
Section 134—Limitation on Use of Funds for the Armed Overwatch
Program
This section would prohibit the obligation or expenditure of any
funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made
available for fiscal year 2021 for procurement for the Armed
Overwatch Program of U.S. Special Operations Command until the
Secretary of Defense and Commander, U.S. Special Operations
Command, review, validate, and certify the Armed Overwatch Pro-
gram. This section would also require the Secretary of Defense to
review the roles and responsibilities of the Air Force and Special
Operations Command with respect to close air support and armed
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, and
upon favorable determination, certify Armed Overwatch as a spe-
cial operations forces-peculiar requirement. This section would re-
quire the Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, to pro-
vide a comprehensive requirements plan and roadmap analyzing
application of the Armed Overwatch capability against the totality
of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance requirements of
the various special operations forces units and missions, and the
geographic combatant commands.
TITLE II—RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND
EVALUATION
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION, ARMY
Items of Special Interest
Accelerating Army Aircraft Cleaning and Deicing Systems for ro-
tary-wing aircraft
The committee has long expressed concern about the impact of
corrosion on aviation assets and supported efforts to improve air-
crew safety, aircraft availability, and aircraft and unit readiness
through cost-effective corrosion mitigation. The committee under-
stands that an aircraft cleaning and deicing system (ACDS) capa-
bility would help prevent and control corrosion of aviation assets
through development and testing of an aircraft washing system.
The committee remains concerned by the Army’s current plans for
ACDS which moves ACDS development and demonstration further
into the future years defense program despite a persistent require-
ment to mitigate corrosion on aircraft. The committee is aware that
existing commercial-off-the-shelf aircraft cleaning systems are cur-
rently available for test and evaluation and expects the Army to
consider these systems as a potential option to rapidly address cor-
rosion mitigation issues for aviation assets.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by December
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15, 2020, on the Army’s plan to prevent and control the impact of
corrosion on rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft. The briefing shall in-
clude, but not be limited to a detailed description of policies, pro-
grams, funding, and investment strategy to address corrosion pre-
vention and control on Army aircraft, a plan to accelerate ACDS
efforts, evaluations of commercial off the shelf systems, and consid-
eration given to creating a program of record for this capability.
Auxiliary power units for armored and tactical vehicles
The committee is aware that armored and tactical vehicles may
lack enough electrical power to accommodate the weapons, sensors,
and payloads needed for effective operations in current and future
combat environments. The committee understands that some of
these power generation shortfalls could be addressed using auxil-
iary power units (APU), however, existing APU’s are often imprac-
tical for use on Army vehicles due to their large size and weight.
The committee understands that there are research and develop-
ment efforts to develop innovative small generators and APUs that
could provide significant improvements in size, weight, and fuel ef-
ficiency. The committee encourages the Army to explore these inno-
vative systems for potential use on current armored and tactical
vehicles as well as the next generation combat vehicles, such as the
Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle and Robotic Combat Vehicles.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
October 30, 2020, on efforts to address power generation require-
ments for its current and future ground combat and tactical vehicle
fleets. The report shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) an overview of current ground combat and tactical vehicles
demonstrating significant power generation problems, and the re-
sulting operational impacts;
(2) an analysis of expected power generation requirements for the
systems contemplated as part of the Next Generation Combat Vehi-
cle Program; and
(3) any current or planned efforts to explore innovative small
form factor auxiliary power units for armored or tactical vehicles.
Briefing on Army’s Carbine Magazine Development Strategy
The committee supports the Department of the Army’s Next Gen-
eration Squad Weapons (NGSW) program and commends the serv-
ice for continuously assessing new and advanced materials, such as
polymer compounds, to provide warfighters with the best equip-
ment necessary for mission success. As the Army proceeds with the
NGSW program, the committee believes that the service should
seek the highest-performing 6.8mm magazine composed of modern
materials to maximize soldier lethality and improve soldier surviv-
ability.
The committee notes that the Army has completed several
5.56mm magazine tests, the results of which led the Departments
of the Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Special Oper-
ations Command to formally adopt a high-performing polymer mag-
azine that the Army has authorized for its own acquisition. The
committee views synchronization in magazine selection between
the services as a positive development that advances force inter-
operability and increases military preparedness. The committee be-
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36
lieves that these outcomes should inform the Army’s magazine se-
lection process under the NGSW program.
The committee expects the Army to implement lessons learned
from previous magazine procurement and testing and require that
the highest-performing magazines be used in NGSW rifles. The
committee therefore directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a briefing to the congressional defense committees not later than
October 30, 2020, on the Army’s comprehensive strategy on NGSW
magazine procurement. The briefing shall include a description of
the Army’s expected requirements for the NGSW magazines, such
as performance metrics, materials, and visual indicators for rounds
remaining.
Carbon composite materials for helicopter wheels and brakes
The budget request included $46.1 million in PE 0607137A for
the Chinook Product Improvement program.
The committee has previously supported research efforts to de-
velop lightweight carbon composite materials and notes that such
materials could also be used in manufacturing aircraft brake
housings, wheels, and associated components. Traditional alu-
minum aircraft braking components add substantial weight to air-
craft, reducing payload capacity and increasing fuel consumption.
The committee understands that replacing aluminum with high
temperature carbon composites could significantly reduce the
weight of a brake or wheel part by up to 30–50 percent, depending
on the aircraft. Incorporating carbon composite materials in certain
components could potentially improve operational capabilities for
the CH–47 Chinook helicopter, the Army’s primary heavy-lift air-
craft. The committee also notes that development conducted for the
CH–47 Chinook helicopter in these materials could be applied to
other helicopter programs.
Therefore, the committee recommends $51.1 million, an increase
of $5.0 million, in PE 0607137A, for development of lightweight
carbon composite materials for CH–47 Chinook helicopter brake
housings and wheels.
Carbon fiber and graphite foam for combat and tactical vehicles
The committee notes that the Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems
Center and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) are
conducting developmental research on the potential wider applica-
tion of carbon fiber composite wheels and graphitic carbon foam in
support of the Army Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV)
cross-functional team’s (CFT) lines of effort and the special oper-
ations forces tactical vehicle programs. The committee understands
that graphite and carbon fiber components could reduce total vehi-
cle weight and fuel consumption, while at the same time increase
payload capacity and extend service life for a wide variety of com-
bat and tactical vehicles. The committee recognizes the potential
versatility and broad application that graphite and carbon fiber
technology could provide for the military services and expects that
the NGCV CFT and USSOCOM will continue the development and
testing of carbon fiber and graphitic carbon foam components. In
this regard, the committee encourages the NGCV CFT and
USSOCOM to engage and communicate with the combat and tac-
tical vehicle industrial base to ensure awareness of their interest
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in new graphite and carbon fiber technologies as well as to con-
tinue to assess their potential application to future combat and tac-
tical vehicles.
Electrification of Army combat and tactical vehicles
The committee understands that electric or hybrid-electric
powertrains could increase performance, allow relatively silent op-
eration, generate significant on-board power generation, and reduce
the logistical burden associated with transporting and storing fuel.
The committee notes the Army has for several years been working
on electrification and has experimented with hybrid-electric tactical
wheeled vehicles to include successful efforts to integrate on-board
vehicle electric power through a Transmission Integral Generator
for the Army’s Terminal High Altitude Air Defense launcher. The
committee is not aware, however, of any plans for the further de-
velopment or integration of electrification technologies into combat
and tactical vehicles and believes the Army should continue to in-
vest and consider the potential military applications of this tech-
nology given rapidly advancing commercial industry developments.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
December 15, 2020, on the status of its electrification research and
development strategy for combat and tactical vehicles. The briefing
should include, but not be limited to:
(1) current and future requirements and opportunities for elec-
trification of combat and tactical vehicles, including such vehicle
capabilities that could be related and necessary based on the 2018
National Defense Strategy, operational plans, or to satisfy concepts
for Multi-Domain Operations;
(2) the current and future priorities for electrification of combat
and tactical vehicles including plans, if any, to spiral hybrid-elec-
tric powertrains into existing combat and tactical vehicles;
(3) a description and assessment of potential Army timelines for
initial, partial, and full electrification of existing and future combat
and tactical vehicles; and
(4) details of ongoing science and technology initiatives that in-
volve hybrid-electric propulsion and full-electric drive of combat
and tactical vehicles to include plans, if any, to further develop in-
tegrated electric axle technology, motors and generators, power
electronics, inverters, converters, energy storage systems, and
transmissions.
Extended Range Cannon Artillery Program
The committee has consistently supported Army modernization
of long-range precision fires. However, the committee has recently
learned of technical issues effecting the Extended Range Cannon
Artillery program with respect to auto-loader technology. The com-
mittee understands these technical issues have resulted in excess
funds for the program. Accordingly, the committee directs the Sec-
retary of the Army, not later than December 20, 2020, to provide
a briefing to the House Armed Services Committee that identifies
potential solutions to the technical issues impacting the Extended
Range Cannon Artillery program and the steps that the Army has
taken or will take to address the technical issues discovered. The
committee encourages the Army, in restructuring this program, to
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consider directing available resources to other technical solutions
that could accomplish this same purpose and to include those con-
siderations in the above directed briefing. Finally, the Secretary of
the Army is directed to include in the briefing a description of how
the funding for the Extended Range Cannon Artillery has been exe-
cuted for the past two years, and the Army’s plans to properly fund
this effort over the next five fiscal years.
Future Vertical Lift sensor payloads
The committee expects the Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL)
program to field advanced sensor payloads capable of detecting,
tracking, and countering threats in the future operational environ-
ment. The committee notes that the Army has yet to define the ac-
quisition strategy for FVL mission equipment payloads and sen-
sors, despite an accelerated platform development schedule. The
committee understands that fielding mission equipment that is as
advanced and capable as the platforms themselves will require in-
vestment and development in the coming years. The committee is
concerned that without a well-defined acquisition strategy and risk
reduction effort for mission equipment payloads and sensors, indus-
try will be unable to make the investments necessary to deliver ad-
vanced capabilities on time for FVL programs.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to
submit a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate
and the House of Representatives by December 1, 2020, on Future
Vertical Lift mission equipment payloads and sensors. The report
should include:
(1) the acquisition strategy for FVL mission equipment payloads
and sensors, including radar, electronic warfare, 360 degree distrib-
uted aperture, missile warning, and advanced electro-optical infra-
red;
(2) planned risk reduction activities for the sensor payloads; and
(3) an estimate of the cost and schedule for the development and
production of required sensor payloads.
Instrumental Synthetic Training Environment and Modeling and
Simulation Capabilities
The committee is aware of potential adversaries’ investments in
leap-ahead technologies, including dual-use commercial tech-
nologies, to gain an asymmetric advantage over the United States.
The committee urges the Department to use its alternative acquisi-
tion mechanism authorities provided by Congress to enable proto-
typing of emerging technologies and engage with the private sector
to continue driving vital innovation in these critical areas.
The committee therefore directs the Assistant Secretary of the
Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology to submit a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services by January 31, 2021
on the Army’s plan to continue to integrate virtual training and
simulations into its future force design decisions. The briefing shall
include how the Army is partnering with the Navy and Marine
Corps to further integrate advanced simulation and virtual train-
ing technologies to inform future force design and foster force de-
velopment through expanded wargaming, live-virtual-constructive
training, and scalable realistic simulations.
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Modeling and Simulation for Ground Vehicle Development and
Sustainment
The Committee recognizes the importance and value of modeling
and simulation (M&S) in supporting digital design, experimen-
tation, and developmental and operational test and evaluation for
military ground vehicle systems. When used appropriately, mod-
eling and simulation can help save money and time delivering af-
fordable technology to soldiers faster. The Committee notes that
the Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) has been using
available funds to improve and expand its M&S capabilities
through public-private partnerships and finding M&S tools devel-
oped by entities outside the military and brought to the Center’s
attention through their innovative outreach program. The Com-
mittee understands that partnerships with industry, academia, and
non-profit science, technology, engineering, and math organizations
could increase the likelihood of success for technology development
and transfers between GVSC and non-traditional defense industry
and organizations. In this regard, the committee directs the Assist-
ant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Tech-
nology, not later than December 21, 2020, to provide a briefing to
the House Armed Services Committee that outlines the Army’s
plans, if any, to support the improvement and expansion of GVSC’s
internal and external M&S capabilities and their relationship to
the Army’s high priority programs for combat and tactical vehicle
modernization and sustainment.
Next generation Integrated Visual Augmentation System
The committee is aware that the Integrated Visual Augmenta-
tion System (IVAS) is due to begin delivering first units to the
Army in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021. The committee is
further aware that a decision point for second generation of IVAS
(IVAS 2.0) development is due to occur early in fiscal year 2023.
Following the IVAS 2.0 decision point, development of the next
generation of the program is projected to start at the beginning of
fiscal year 2024.
However, due to the large quantity of hardware, software, and
funds allocated for the program, as well as an aggressive develop-
ment schedule, the committee expects the Army to utilize this tech-
nology in developing any new heads-up displays for air and ground
vehicles. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the
Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Serv-
ices not later than December 1, 2020, on how the Army plans to
integrate IVAS technology across major Army platforms, including
but not limited to air and ground vehicle operators.
Next Generation Squad Weapons and Small Business Innovation
Research
The committee recognizes the Department of the Army’s ongoing
effort to enhance soldier lethality and battlefield connectivity
through its Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) and Next
Generation Squad Weapon Fire Control (NGSW–FC) programs, as
well as its programs to strengthen the battlefield network and sup-
port cooperative engagements. The committee encourages the De-
partment of the Army to continue to integrate proven solutions for
power, data energy efficiency, increased accuracy, and improved
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situational awareness in partnership with small businesses
through the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR).
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to pro-
vide a briefing to the congressional defense committees not later
than February 1, 2021, on the SBIR efforts within the NGSW and
NGSW–FC programs.
Pragmatic Artificial Intelligence and New Technology (PAINT)
The committee notes that artificial intelligence and machine
learning are being leveraged by the Army to help solve complex
problems, including designing testing scenarios for missile defense
systems. The committee is encouraged by the use of this technology
by the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command and believes
an opportunity exists to continue leveraging artificial intelligence
and machine learning techniques as the Army’s Integrated Air and
Missile Defense Program continues to integrate current and future
air and missile defense sensors and weapons.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to
brief the House Committee on Armed Services not later than Janu-
ary 15, 2021, on the Army’s plans to incorporate artificial intel-
ligence techniques in its efforts to continue development of near-
term engineering solutions to improve existing missile defense sys-
tems to keep pace with current and anticipated missile threats.
Report on the Future Tactical Unmanned Aerial System Program
The committee understands the Army’s Future Tactical Un-
manned Aircraft System (FTUAS) would serve as a replacement for
the RQ–7B Shadow in Army brigade combat teams. Further, the
committee notes the FTUAS would be a Group 2/3 unmanned air-
craft system (UAS) with a point take-off and landing capability to
provide the BCT commander with a joint all-domain operations ca-
pable, runway independent, reconnaissance, surveillance, and tar-
get acquisition capability. The committee is pleased the Depart-
ment of Army is taking steps to advance the development and pro-
curement of next generation tactical UAS programs. However, rec-
ognizing the need to grow the domestic UAS industry and the rapid
pace of technological innovation, the committee expects the Army
would fully evaluate and consider all domestic UAS proven tech-
nologies already fielded under a Small Business Innovation Re-
search grant phase 2 or 3 contract, before issuing a production
award under the Army’s FTUAS program.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by February
15th, 2021, that includes but is not limited to: (1) the FTUAS pro-
gram’s progress to date; (2) the current acquisition strategy and
schedule for FTUAS prototyping and development; (3) planned
funding and resources required for FTUAS across the future years
defense program.
Stryker weapons station commonality
The committee is aware of and supports current Army efforts to
modify Stryker infantry carriers to improve anti-armor and air de-
fense capabilities and capacities. These programs include integra-
tion of a 30mm cannon in a Medium Caliber Weapon System
(MCWS) for anti-armor and Stinger missiles, as well as other
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weapons, in an Initial Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (IM–
SHORAD) system for air defense. The committee notes and sup-
ports that the Army is currently conducting a full and open com-
petition for the MCWS. The committee also notes both of these sys-
tems would be based upon an unmanned but accessible turreted ve-
hicle weapons station. In this regard, the committee is interested
to know what advantages, if any, the Army could gain by devel-
oping as much commonality as possible between both systems with
turret hardware and fire control software. Commonality has the po-
tential to reduce the overall acquisition and life cycle management
costs of both weapons systems.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than February 1, 2021, on the potential and plans, if any, for
achieving commonality of the MCWS and IM–SHORAD weapons
stations.
Supercavitating ammunition
In the committee reports (H. Rept 115–200 and H. Rept 115–70)
to accompany the National Defense Authorizations Acts for Fiscal
Years 2018 and 2019 the committee has shared its interest in
supercavitating ammunition technologies and supported the De-
partment’s efforts to evaluate and field this capability. The com-
mittee understands that a solution has been identified and is ready
for procurement pending final evaluations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to
provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and
the House of Representatives, no later than September 30, 2020, an
update to the briefing provided pursuant to the committee reports
accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2018 and Fiscal Year 2019. This briefing shall include an
overview of the current status of the project and an estimated plan
for procurement.
Thermoplastic drive shafts for helicopter tail rotor drive systems
The budget request included $11.2 million in PE 0607136A for
the Blackhawk Product Improvement Program.
The committee is aware that helicopter tail rotor drive systems
typically require frequent maintenance and often affect aircraft ma-
neuverability due to their significant weight. The committee is also
aware that thermoplastic drive shafts could potentially improve
helicopter performance while reducing operations and sustainment
costs by providing lighter weight components with greater ballistic
tolerances. The committee notes that the Army’s UH–60
Blackhawk program could potentially benefit from additional devel-
opment and engineering of thermoplastic drive shafts for a lighter
weight, more reliable system.
Accordingly, the committee recommends $16.2 million, an in-
crease of $5.0 million, in PE 0607136A for the Blackhawk Product
Improvement Program for thermoplastic drive shaft development
and engineering.
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RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION, NAVY
Items of Special Interest
Advanced Low Cost Munition Ordnance
The committee continues to support development of the Ad-
vanced Low Cost Munition Ordnance, a guided 57mm projectile,
with fire-and-forget capability that requires no Littoral Combat
Ship fire control system changes, to counter the growing threats
posed by small boat swarms, unmanned aerial systems, and other
emerging threats.
Advanced Submarine Countermeasures
The committee notes that Navy is proposing a new advanced sub-
marine countermeasures that incorporates sophisticated acoustic
decoy capabilities to counter the growing threats of modern acous-
tic homing torpedoes. These new countermeasures must also incor-
porate advanced mobility functionality to enhance tactics in littoral
waters. The ADC MK 5 incorporates these new acoustic and mobil-
ity capabilities at the same physical size as the current ADC MK
2 devices to maintain compatibility with existing submarine launch
devices and support systems. The integration of the new ADC MK
5 acoustic and mobility capabilities into the existing device form
factor represents a significant technological advancement of the
Navy’s submarine countermeasures, and this technology can be ap-
plied to other countermeasure needs across the fleet. The com-
mittee supports the continued development of this advanced sub-
marine countermeasure system and the eventual award of a pro-
duction MK5 variant. Therefore, the committee directs the Sec-
retary of the Navy to brief the House Committee on Armed Serv-
ices by February 1, 2021 as to advanced submarine kinetic and
non-kinetic countermeasures and the associated acquisition
timelines to deploy these capabilities.
Aviation Survivability of Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force Rotary
Wing Aircraft
The committee recognizes the importance of the Distributed Ap-
erture Infrared Countermeasure System (DAIRCM) and the De-
partment of Defense’s efforts to integrate an aircraft protection sys-
tem to protect small to medium rotary wing aircraft from increased
threats. These protection systems have been combat deployed by
the Air Force. The committee is aware of enhanced capabilities that
can provide light and medium rotary aircraft a dual-warning and
defeat capability, able to counter surface-to-air missiles, small arms
fire, and other anti-aircraft or laser-directed weapons threats con-
fronting our forward-deployed forces. The committee recognizes
there is a future gap in this aircraft survivability capability for
both the Air Force and Marine Corps in the coming fiscal years and
supports the efforts by these services to rapidly transition to a pro-
duction capability. This transition will ensure all Marine Expedi-
tionary Units and forward deployed Air Force rotary wing aircraft
are properly equipped to meet this threat.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy in co-
ordination with the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Chief of
Staff of the Air Force, to provide a briefing to the House Committee
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on Armed Services by March 1, 2021, on the effective integration
of DAIRCM into additional light and medium rotary wing aircraft
and the long-term strategy for aircraft survivability of the Marine
Corps and Air Force rotary wing fleet.
Conformal Acoustic Velocity Sonar
The committee notes that the Conformal Acoustic Velocity Sonar
project was developed to provide an affordable ‘‘smart-skin’’ acous-
tic sonar receive array to the Virginia-class submarine. Replacing
traditional spherical sonar arrays with a conformal bow array
would significantly improve submarine structural design and im-
prove the submarine’s stealth characteristics. The committee is also
aware of the improved sonar performance observed in large vertical
arrays which have been tested on various submarines during at-sea
operations.
Considering the many benefits of this new technology used in
large vertical arrays, the committee remains supportive of an
acoustic sonar in a bow conformal array configuration. The com-
mittee urges continued Navy’s effort to develop this technology in
a bow configuration, continued test to prove out this technology
and the insertion of the Large Vertical Array and conformal bow
array into the submarine fleet. Finally, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to prepare a brief to the House Committee
on Armed Services by February 15, 2021 as to current program-
ming associated with the continued introduction of the large
vertical arrays and conformal bow arrays; operational tests associ-
ated with these capabilities; and, industrial base implications asso-
ciated with continued production.
Expeditionary Fast Transport conversion to an unmanned surface
vessel
The committee recognizes that unmanned surface vessels will
play an essential role in future fleets of the Navy and supports the
development of this capability in a manner that responsibly fields
this new capability. The committee continues to believe that the
Navy’s current acquisition strategy incorporates an excessive
amount of concurrency and is overly focused on the hull. The desire
to move immediately from development into serial production will
only yield similar misfortunes as past shipbuilding programs with
similar strategies. The committee believes the Navy should be pri-
marily focused on the autonomy piece of this capability and ensur-
ing that technologies that will need to be developed to support au-
tonomous operations are mature before being incorporated on a
purpose built vessel. A strategy that includes prototyping and test-
of-ship systems such as propulsion, Command, Control, Commu-
nications, Computers and Intelligence, and other major Hull, Me-
chanical and Engineering systems prior to hull form decisions is a
more prudent strategy that may actually field this capability soon-
er. The committee is also concerned with what level of manning if
any will be required for these vessels. In briefings, the Navy has
stated that initially these vessels will need to be minimally
manned rather than fully unmanned in order to maximize Concept
of Operations (CONOPS) development. The committee believes that
the Navy should modify existing mature manned ships to support
autonomous operations in order to develop CONOPS rather than
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procuring new ships that will need to support manned operations,
but will eventually be fully unmanned.
Therefore, the committee recommends $45.0 million in PE
0603178N for the conversion of two Expeditionary Fast Transport
(EPF) ships to support autonomous operations and accelerate
CONOPS development.
Medium Range Interceptor Capability
The committee notes the Marine Corps’ effort to take advantage
of existing capabilities and components, including, but not limited
to, the AN/TPS–80 G/ATOR radar system, the common aviation
command and control system, and the Iron Dome battle manage-
ment and weapons control and Tamir missiles, to rapidly field a
Medium Range Interceptor Capability (MRIC) under the Ground
Based Air Defense family of systems. The committee understands
the MRIC is intended to provide a critically needed capability to
defend Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) sites primarily
against cruise missiles and secondarily against manned and un-
manned aircraft and other aerial threats. The committee is aware
that missile, rocket, mortar threats have become increasingly prev-
alent with attacks on both U.S. forces and our allies in Iraq.
Therefore, the committee directs the Commanding General of the
Marine Corps Combat Development Command to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services no later than Decem-
ber 21, 2020 on the timeline and funding plan to develop, test, and
procure MRIC, including costs, requirements, and any opportuni-
ties or challenges associated with accelerating the program to re-
spond to increased threats to deployed U.S. Marine forces.
Medium unmanned undersea vehicles
The committee understands that the new medium unmanned un-
dersea vehicle (MUUV) program will consolidate the MUUVs to a
common but open architecture vehicle of between 10 and 21 inches
in diameter, which will allow it to perform a wide range of mis-
sions, depending on the sensor. This includes being deployed from
expeditionary, surface, and submarine platforms. The new MUUV
program represents a significant step forward to putting out a new
generation of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), which will also
include a more modular open software architecture allowing for spi-
ral developments and the deployment of a variety of sensors from
this common platform. Existing MK 18 mod 2 UUVs have been
very reliable and have exceeded the availability and reliability re-
quirements. The committee understands that they are also heavily
used as the fleet’s only operational mine countermeasure UUV. The
committee encourages the Navy to continue making technology ad-
vances utilizing a common architecture with MUUVs.
Report on the Navy’s Long-Range Ocular Interrupter Program
The committee is concerned with the ongoing development of the
Navy’s Long-Range Ocular Interrupter (LROI) Program. The com-
mittee understands that the LROI is intended to provide the Navy
with the capability to deliver a bright light producing a dazzling or
glare effect on a closing target to warn and/or suppress potential
threats through increasing levels of visual degradation. According
to the Navy, LROI will generate controlled, high-intensity output,
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providing warning and suppression effects and will enhance Joint
Force operations in assessing the intent of personnel and control-
ling the potential threat as early as possible.
The committee agrees with the military utility of this capability,
and the need for the Navy to move forward to field a materiel solu-
tion. However, the committee is troubled by the continued schedule
slippage of LROI in the Engineering and Material Development
(EMD) acquisition phase. For example, the committee is concerned
that the Navy is continuing to develop the LROI system when ex-
isting commercial-off-the-shelf capabilities are already being field-
ing by other military services. The committee is further concerned
that there are ongoing disputes over the intellectual property of the
LROI system.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy, not
later than February 1, 2021, to provide a report to the congres-
sional defense committees on the LROI acquisition strategy, past
development contracts and costs, past test and evaluation strategy
and results, market research efforts to identify LROI COTS solu-
tions, and currently fielded ocular interrupter systems used by
other military services.
Research opportunities in cloud-aerosol effects and atmospheric sun-
light reflection
The United States faces a complex array of threats to our na-
tional security, as highlighted in a December 2018 GAO Report
(GAO–19–204SP) which identified emerging threats of high con-
sequence that will evolve as adversaries develop militarily, weap-
ons and technology advances, and as environmental changes occur,
including threats arising through extreme weather events—such as
hurricanes, floods and droughts, that could intensify and affect en-
ergy resources, critical infrastructure and military installations.
The Committee is aware of basic research opportunities in cloud-
aerosol effects and atmospheric sunlight reflection and believes this
research has the potential to benefit the military by providing im-
provements to short-term prediction of operationally relevant
weather behavior and by reducing uncertainty in medium and long-
term forecasting of extreme weather and climate conditions affect-
ing military infrastructure, tactical operations and readiness. This
research also has the potential to expand the portfolio of options
for reducing risks to military infrastructure, operations and readi-
ness and to ensure U.S. leadership in an area of innovation with
significant implications for national security. The Committee also
understands that other nations have established research programs
on the physical, chemical, and optical properties of atmospheric
aerosols and to study, among other things, their impact on climate.
Furthermore, temperature data shows that the Arctic is getting
warmer faster than any other region of the world, making it a bell-
wether for future climate damages and a major driver of tipping
points with the potential to cause rapid and geopolitically desta-
bilizing environmental changes. It is also a domain of renewed
great power competition, as other nations position themselves to
exploit the increasing accessibility of the Arctic even as US invest-
ment in Artic-ready platforms has lagged. The United States has
the world’s greatest concentration of military and civilian assets
and technology to observe, assess, and predict changing conditions
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in the Arctic, but has not adequately invested in maintaining its
northernmost scientific and national security infrastructure. The
US capability to forecast near and long-term weather and environ-
mental conditions in the Arctic underwrites technical and tactical
advantages essential for maintaining strategic security guarantees,
and provides crucial intelligence essential to anticipate, prioritize,
and counter suspicious patterns of activity in airborne and mari-
time traffic passing through or within the Arctic. At the same time,
decadal projections of Arctic conditions are essential for prioritizing
investments into Arctic-capable vessels and exercises to prepare
personnel for the unique challenges of operating in the Arctic envi-
ronment. Improving these forecasts will depend on increasing our
scientific understanding of processes driving Arctic changes.
Therefore, to improve the Department’s ability to forecast oper-
ationally relevant weather behavior, better understand climate
risk, and ensure U.S. leadership in this field, the Committee di-
rects the Chief of Naval Research to review research opportunities
in cloud-aerosol effects and atmospheric sunlight reflection, and to
report back to the Committee not later than 90 days after the en-
actment of this Act on the capabilities the Office of Naval Research
can provide to the Department and the National Laboratories to
support this critical research.
RF and EMP defense technology solutions
The committee is concerned that the United States faces an in-
creasing and serious threat from hostile entities and state-spon-
sored terrorist organizations employing malicious Radio Frequency
(RF) energy devices to actively interrogate, interfere, and com-
promise sensitive United States military assets and operational ca-
pabilities. The United States Navy has had no durable repeat-use
solution to shield against RF energy that is flexible enough to be
draped over sensitive equipment and could be formed into a prac-
tical cover. The committee understands through Cooperative Re-
search and Development Agreements, the Naval Surface Warfare
Center has developed cost effective and easily deployable RF
shielding materials that mitigate or prevent the use of the RF spec-
trum by adversaries. The material developed through the Navy’s
efforts is also being researched as a defensive shield against
Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) signals from both natural and hos-
tile sources and other tactical solutions. The committee recognizes
the significance of technology to defend against RF and EMP
threats. Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition to provide a
report to the congressional defense committees by February 15th,
2021 on the progress of the research, development, and deployment
of cost-effective, easily deployable RF and EMP defense technology
solutions. The report shall include recommendations for funding
continued research and deployment of RF and EMP shielding cover
technology.
Shipboard Information Warfare Exploit
The committee notes that the Spectral program is an incremental
acquisition, Government Off-The-Shelf/Commercial Off-The-Shelf
program that provides cryptologic signals exploitation capabilities
designed to meet the requirements for shipboard cryptologic oper-
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ations within the Ship’s Signal Exploitation Space (SSES) aboard
a variety of ship classes and shore facilities. The Spectral system
is programmed to provide a mobile, passive capability to detect,
classify, track, and determine the intent of enemy units through
exploitation of their command and control emissions. The system
will be scalable, reconfigurable to mission, modular, remotable and
dynamically reprogrammable in response to new threats and capa-
bilities. The committee believes that the Secretary of the Navy
should expedite the development of this critical capability and sup-
ports decoupling the hardware from the software so that capability
enhancements are delivered by software as soon as they are devel-
oped. To achieve maximum competition and to solicit the most cur-
rent technologies, the committee further believes that the Secretary
should continue to prioritize an open architecture approach so that
the new system can readily integrate emerging third-party capa-
bilities. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to prepare a brief to the House Committee on Armed Services by
January 30, 2021 as to implementation of the Spectral Program to
include both program capabilities and timelines.
SSN(X) future propulsion and power requirements
The committee supports the efforts of the Navy to develop a new
class of attack submarine capable of meeting future threats posed
by near peer competitors through the end of the century. The Next
Generation Attack Submarine, SSN(X), will counter threats posed
by peer adversary submarines, future unmanned underwater vehi-
cles, and emerging persistent threats to U.S. undersea supremacy
that already utilize the benefits of electric propulsion. Critical to
the success of the Next Generation Attack Submarine is the ability
to combine stealth and speed while maintaining the power needed
to operate future sensors and weapons to prosecute undersea war-
fare. The Navy’s prior investments and advancements achieved in
the Columbia class program have led to a superior quiet acoustic
propulsion system capable of meeting current and future threats
while also providing the power architecture and flexibility needed
to enable future weapons and sensors. The committee supports ef-
forts by the Navy to seek designs and technologies that will provide
the future SSN(X) with greater warfighting capabilities combined
with total reduced costs through leveraging prior investments from
the Columbia class program. The committee encourages the Navy
to balance superior technological capability with affordability by
evaluating non-developmental electric power and propulsion solu-
tions. These solutions have demonstrated superior quiet oper-
ational capabilities and lethality and will ensure the future SSN(X)
can meet the essential operational and mission requirements with-
in an accelerated submarine build cycle.
Surface Navy Laser Weapon System Briefing
The Committee commends the Department of the Navy’s recent
success with the Laser Weapons System Demonstrator (LWSD)
from an LPD. In addition, the Committee is encouraged that
SNLWS Increment 1, the High Energy Laser with Integrated Opti-
cal-Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) is on schedule to begin in-
tegration and land-based testing later this year. In addition, the
Committee recognizes that both the Navy and industry have in-
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vested in this technology and understand the need to take incre-
mental steps since there is no one-size fits all solution. However,
the Committee is concerned with both the fragility of the supply
base and that the protracted time between development, test and
installation for an at-sea trial will cause the Navy to reprogram
outyear funding to other needs. Therefore, the committee directs
the Secretary of the Navy to brief the committee no later than Oc-
tober 1, 2020 on an updated acquisition timeline that illustrates its
path forward on SNLWS Increment 1 and allows for an efficient
fielding of SNLWS Increment 2.
Transformational Reliable Acoustic Path System
The Navy’s Theatre Anti-Submarine Warfare Offset Strategy re-
sponds to an urgent requirement for additional maritime intel-
ligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency Transformational Reliable
Acoustic Path System (TRAPS) program was transitioned into a
rapid prototyping program to meet this requirement. TRAPS is a
passive, long duration, deep-sea anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
technology that provides cost effective acoustic surveillance in a
rapidly deployable manner. TRAPS was phased into the Theater
ASW Initiative, as a means to provide a best in class sensor system
deployable in deep ocean waters in areas previously not exploitable.
The effort has advanced to a Program of Record with Spiral 1 un-
derway, and anticipated Spiral 2 beginning at the end of fiscal year
2021. The committee encourages the Navy to continue fielding and
deploying the TRAPS.
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION, AIR FORCE
Items of Special Interest
Air Force Advanced Technology Development Report
The committee recognizes that our service members and military
leaders face evolving challenges that will require integration of the
Air Force’s science and technology development efforts in order to
reassert the United States’ competitive advantage across every
warfighting domain. The committee is aware of the consolidation of
thirteen Advanced Technology Development (ATD) Program Ele-
ments (PE) into five new PE lines within the Air Force’s Research
Development Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding in section
4201. The committee is concerned about losing insight and trans-
parency during the Air Force’s transition and implementation
phase. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to submit an initial report to the congressional defense com-
mittees no later than October 30, 2021 on the amount of funding
allocated to each Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Direc-
torate from the ATD RDT&E Budget Activity 03 (BA03) lines in
Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. For transparency and consistency, the com-
mittee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a final re-
port to the congressional defense committees no later than October
30, 2022 on the amount of funding allocated to each AFRL Direc-
torate from the ATD RDT&E BA03 lines in FY 2022.
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Air Force Institute of Technology research, development, test, and
evaluation
The committee recognizes the valuable contributions of the Air
Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) to the professional develop-
ment and technical expertise of the U.S. Air Force. The committee
is aware of the continuing efforts of AFIT to provide cutting edge,
specialized education to officer and enlisted U.S. military personnel
and civilian employees in technical fields, including Aeronautics
and Astronautics, Engineering Physics, and Systems Engineering.
Despite the significant academic research that occurs at AFIT, it
does not maintain a dedicated research, development, test, and
evaluation (RDTE) program line. The committee is interested in
understanding how AFIT may benefit from a dedicated RDTE line
and what additional flexibility this may provide, including opportu-
nities for expanded partnerships with other institutions of higher
education and more influence over research topics that are of inter-
est to the Department of Defense. Therefore, the committee directs
the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than October 30, 2020, on
the benefits and drawbacks of having a dedicated RDTE program
line for the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
The committee is aware of the Air Force’s alterations to its Small
Business Research Innovation (SBIR) and Small Business Tech-
nology Transfer (STTR) program through the Air Force Ventures
process, as well as the alignment of the program to the AF tech-
nology accelerator, AFWERX. The committee is encouraged by the
Department’s inclusion of the SBIR/STTR funding in its technology
development strategy and budget plans, and looks forward to closer
collaboration with Service acquisition executives to harness the in-
novation opportunities of the SBIR/STTR program.
The committee appreciates the Air Force’s continued engagement
as it establishes performance metrics and monitors lessons learned
from the new approach’s challenges and successes. The committee
agrees with the Air Force that this new approach should be as-
sessed according to the letter and intent of the SBIR statute as
written in Chapter 638 of title 15, United States Code, including:
(1) Tracking commercialization of companies by monitoring
growth in Phase II or later funding commitments from private sec-
tor or non-SBIR (other Government) sources (15 U.S.C.
638(e)(4)(b)(ii) and (iii));
(2) Expanding SBIR access to more small businesses across the
country by tracking the total number of companies that are new to
government or to the SBIR program that submit proposals and are
awarded contracts (15 U.S.C. 638(a));
(3) Ensuring small businesses are financially secure and able to
perform critical research quickly by reducing the time from solicita-
tion to contract award (2019 NDAA Sec 854(b)(2)(A)(ii) and (iii));
and
(4) Expanding SBIR access to diverse businesses across the
United States that are women owned and socially and economically
disadvantaged (15 U.S.C. 638(j)(2)(F)), as well as diverse geo-
graphically and by size (15 U.S.C. 638(jj)(4)(B)(iii)).
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The committee therefore directs the Comptroller General to re-
view and assess the Air Force’s Ventures Process and SBIR/STTR
effort on the above criteria. The reports shall also include trend
analysis for no less than five years of:
(1) Funding awarded to Open Topics versus traditional SBIR top-
ics;
(2) Entry and exit Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) for Phase
I and II awards;
(3) Process and capability to measure technical merit; and
(4) Which Air Force missions are receiving SBIR funding.
The committee directs the Comptroller General to provide a
briefing to the congressional defense committees by March 1, 2021
on preliminary findings and submit a final report to the congres-
sional defense committees at a date agreed to at the time of the
briefing.
Airborne Augmented Reality Systems
The committee is concerned with the time and resources required
to produce and develop fully qualified pilots and believes that air-
borne augmented reality systems could mitigate some of the re-
source constraints. The committee also acknowledges the potential
cost savings and environmental benefit of implementing augmented
reality systems. Use of synthetic entities reduces fuel consumption;
maintenance; airframe degradation; and environmental impact
while increasing training repetitions per hour and enabling pilots
to fly against synthetic adversaries that mirror the appearance and
performance of actual strategic rival aircraft.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of the
Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to submit a re-
port to congressional defense and intelligence committees by Janu-
ary 31, 2021 detailing the potential cost savings; maintenance ben-
efits; environmental benefits; counter-intelligence benefits; pilot
readiness improvements; benefits of service life extension through
reduced hours on key airframes; and any funding required to en-
able the use of airborne augmented reality systems by the Combat
Air Forces. The report shall include any Air Force Program Execu-
tive Office efforts to take existing airborne augmented reality sys-
tems that have completed Phase II of the Small Business Innova-
tive Research program by March 31, 2021 and explain how those
efforts are resourced over the Fiscal Year Defense Plan to maxi-
mize benefit to the warfighters and taxpayers. The report shall be
submitted in unclassified form. If necessary, a classified annex
shall also be provided.
Assessment of the Air Force Test Center enterprise
The committee recognizes the importance of the Air Force Test
Center (AFTC) and the invaluable developmental test and evalua-
tion of air, space, and cyber systems conducted throughout the
AFTC enterprise. The committee understands that as threats
evolve and the complexity of integrating technology increases, the
AFTC faces unique and unprecedented challenges in fulfilling its
mission. These challenges include funding for critical sustainment,
restoration, and modernization of relevant test capabilities; devel-
opment and growth of hypersonic infrastructure and sufficient test-
ing capabilities; and, increasing workforce recruitment, retention
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and expertise. The committee identified several of these challenges
in the committee report accompanying the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (H. Rept. 115–200) and di-
rected an assessment of the AFTC enterprise by the Secretary of
the Air Force. Accordingly, the committee acknowledges that given
the current growth of requirements and advanced weapon system
development capabilities needed, the previous AFTC assessment
should be updated to provide relevant information on the chal-
lenges confronting the AFTC enterprise.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force
to provide a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than December 1, 2020, that updates the information con-
tained in the report submitted by the Secretary that was required
by H. Rept. 115–200.
Briefing on Air Force Vanguard Programs
The committee understands that the Air Force’s 2019 ‘‘Science
and Technology Strategy: Strengthening USAF Science and Tech-
nology for 2030 and Beyond’’ report designated three programs as
‘‘Vanguard programs’’ that are meant to quickly demonstrate the
viability of emerging technology. Therefore, the committee directs
the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition, Technology
and Logistics) to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services by December 15, 2020 with details on its Vanguard
programs and how the Air Force plans to transition these programs
to ensure proven technology has the best chance of successfully and
expeditiously transitioning into hands of the warfighter.
Flight test air refueling support
The committee recognizes the importance of air refueling to flight
test aircraft and the many requirements for tanker aircraft. The
committee is concerned with the impact of the Air Force’s tanker
reductions and with unintended consequences of insufficient tanker
support for test programs, such as program delays and increased
costs. The committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by Feb-
ruary 1, 2021, that explains the plan to support flight test require-
ments with air refueling. The brief should determine the overall
test requirements and consider the effectiveness and efficiency of
tanker aircraft assigned to the test community versus augmenting
tanker support with aircraft from other bases.
Report on Counter-Radar Electronic Warfare and Signal Processing
Capabilities
The committee understands that advances in foreign anti-access
and electronic warfare technologies require commensurate ad-
vances in technologies designed to ensure the comparative advan-
tage and dominance in U.S. electromagnetic spectrum operations
capability. The committee understands there is a potential require-
ment and need to identify advanced mobile threats within milli-
seconds, to negate their operational effectiveness and nearly simul-
taneously provide technical electronic battle damage assessment.
The committee is aware the Department of Defense has dem-
onstrated a high fidelity open-air scene target generator capability.
The committee understands this capability would provide a suite of
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active operations options for dominance in contested radio fre-
quency spectrum environments. The committee notes this capa-
bility has completed initial free-space testing at a government
range and understands that this is a unique capability in that it
can operate within the adversary system sensor processing cycle
and is not readily detectable as an electronic warfare technique.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of the
Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, in coordination
with the Secretary of the Air Force, to submit to the congressional
defense and intelligence committees a report by March 1, 2021 de-
tailing the efforts required to integrate high fidelity open-air scene
target generator capability into appropriate platforms and elec-
tronic warfare command and control systems and how integration
is resourced over the future years defense program. The report
shall be submitted in unclassified form, with an accompanying clas-
sified annex, if necessary.
University Consortium to Address Research Needs Unique to the
Space Force
The committee acknowledges the importance of a strong U.S.
presence in the space domain and the foundational role of the
newly established U.S. Space Force in providing for our national
security. The committee also notes the historical importance of aca-
demic support in the research, development, test, and evaluation
efforts of the established military services. The committee supports
the creation of a university consortium for National Space Research
to provide for the unique research and technological needs of the
Space Force. The committee encourages the Department to con-
sider for inclusion universities with established expertise and com-
petencies in relevant research and engineering disciplines. The
committee therefore directs the Chief of Space Operations to pro-
vide a briefing to the committee no later than January 31, 2021 on
the Space Force’s strategy to establish a consortium of institutions
of higher education to lead foundational research in areas that the
Chief determines to be critical to the mission of the Space Force.
Wide area motion imagery
The budget request contained $121.5 million in PE 0305206F,
Airborne Reconnaissance Systems, but no funding for continued de-
velopment of Gorgon Stare (GS) wide area motion imagery (WAMI)
surveillance capabilities. The committee is aware that the GS
WAMI system supports multiple daily orbits in the U.S. Central
Command area of operations with critical intelligence, surveillance,
and reconnaissance (ISR). Other combatant commands have re-
quested WAMI capability, but the Air Force lacks enough systems
to satisfy all combatant command requirements.
The committee is concerned that, despite daily operational
tasking, and despite GS WAMI having been designated as a pro-
gram of record in 2014, there is still no budget request for mod-
ernization of this combat-proven ISR system. The committee notes
that prior year congressional funding has helped GS develop be-
yond-line-of-sight communications, near vertical direction finding,
and multi-intelligence capabilities. Additional funding is needed to
modernize sensor tip and cue, sensor field of view, and to optimize
machine learning in support of Project MAVEN.
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Therefore, the committee recommends $131.5 million, an in-
crease of $10 million, in PE 0305206F for WAMI enhancements.
The committee further directs the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Serv-
ices by March 1, 2021, on the plan for apportionment of Gorgon
Stare to meet geographic combatant commanders’ requirements
worldwide.
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION, DEFENSE-WIDE
Items of Special Interest
Alliance innovation partnerships
The committee believes that to keep pace with competitors’ in-
vestments in emerging technologies, the Department of Defense
should develop deeper technology partnerships with key U.S. allies.
The committee supports the efforts of the Foreign Comparative
Testing program in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for
Research and Engineering that facilitates the use of foreign allies’
developed technologies to solve the Department’s challenges and
achieve the Secretary of Defense’s priorities. The program provides
a unified U.S. relationship with allied partner nation government
organizations and industrial associations, and helps support the
National Defense Strategy through leveraging allied technology in-
vestments and innovation to improve lethality; strengthening alli-
ances and partnerships through support of reciprocal defense pro-
curement; and promoting competition to reduce Department costs
and deliver performance at the speed of relevance.
Similarly, the committee supports the efforts of the Office of
Naval Research Global, which provides worldwide science and tech-
nology-based solutions for current and future naval challenges, and
reaches out to the global technical community and the operational
fleet and force commands to foster cooperation in areas of mutual
interest to bring the full range of allied possibilities to the Navy
and Marine Corps.
The committee believes the Department should expand existing
mechanisms for international partnerships in research, develop-
ment, test, and evaluation for emerging science and technology
projects. The committee urges the Secretary of Defense to consider:
(1) opportunities for increasing international partnerships in re-
search, development, test, and evaluation for emerging science and
technology projects;
(2) expanding current development partnerships and technology
scouting programs with allied partners;
(3) leveraging U.S. Defense Attaché offices in U.S. embassies in
allied countries with robust innovation ecosystems to scout for
technology;
(4) internationalizing startup-focused engagements, such as
through the Defense Innovation Unit;
(5) improving information sharing with allied governments to
promote broad-based awareness of competitor nations’ actions;
(6) building ally capacity to protect technology;
(7) any other innovative opportunities the Secretary deems use-
ful; and
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(8) what new authorities the Department would need from Con-
gress to increase partnerships with allied countries.
Assessment of High-Powered Microwave Systems
The committee recognizes that directed energy technologies such
as high-powered microwave (HPM) systems are being developed by
the Department in order to provide non-lethal alternatives in com-
bat and to maintain pace with our adversaries. The committee
notes that as these technologies transition from the laboratory to
an operational environment, it is critical that the Department as-
sess and prepare for the maturation of these capabilities. There-
fore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Re-
search and Engineering, in consultation with the heads of the mili-
tary departments, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services no later than January 15, 2021 on the development
plan for HPM systems including the maturity of current research
and development efforts, conformance to electromagnetic environ-
mental effects requirements such as military standard 464 (MIL–
STD–464), the status of the test capabilities required for
verification and validation for all expected operational environ-
ments, the concept of operation of such systems, and potential
vulnerabilities of Department systems to a HPM attack.
Bio-engineering roadmap for the Department of Defense
The committee notes that synthetic biology will be a trans-
formative industry, providing significant opportunities across all
economic sectors as well as national security benefits and defense-
related applications. The committee also understands that large-
scale strategic investments in this field by great power competitors,
especially China, threaten to erode American leadership in the
global bio-economy. These significant investments, both in funding
and the development of high-profile national strategies, are in
stark contrast to current U.S. efforts. Accordingly, the committee
supports the Department of Defense’s nascent efforts relating to
bio-engineering, but finds them insufficient. The committee is also
concerned by our competitors’ and adversaries’ ability to com-
promise control over critical foundational technologies, such as
DNA sequencing and DNA synthesis, through predatory economic
practices. Further, many of the Department’s lessons learned re-
lated to microelectronics supply-chain vulnerabilities are directly
applicable to this new field and should be a proactive component
of any bio-engineering related strategies. The committee urges the
Department to include in its bio-engineering roadmap plans to re-
source and expand its bio-engineering efforts and collaboration
with the bio-industrial manufacturing base for defense applica-
tions.
Classified ready engineering workforce
The committee is aware of the current challenges the Depart-
ment of Defense experiences when recruiting and retaining a di-
verse, high-skilled science, technology, engineering, and math
workforce. Department hiring is still constrained by security clear-
ance and human resource processing delays. With existing work-
force shortfalls and the challenges of recruiting and retaining sci-
entists and engineers, the Department must enhance its relation-
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ships with academic institutions to promote and incentivize service
at Department of Defense major ranges and test facility bases,
science and technology research laboratories, and other related in-
stallations, especially those in remote and isolated locations.
Further, the committee recognizes the Department’s efforts to in-
vest in science, technology, engineering, and math workforce out-
reach and education programs, not only for undergraduate and
graduate programs but also for those in elementary and secondary
education. However, a more systematic, scalable approach is need-
ed, especially for engaging underrepresented populations in rural
communities. Hispanic representation in the Department, for ex-
ample, falls behind the rest of the civilian labor force and the Fed-
eral Government.
Therefore, the committee urges the Secretary of Defense to better
partner with Hispanic-serving, land-grant institutions to create a
talent development program that provides experiential learning
through internships and co-ops with Department agencies, while
improving access to science, technology, engineering, and math
education and careers for underrepresented populations. The com-
mittee believes the Department should review possible pathways to
shorten security clearance and hiring process timelines to reduce
the gap between education and full-time employment. The Depart-
ment should also review how this partnership can help engage ele-
mentary and secondary education students to encourage participa-
tion in science, technology, engineering, and math education and
prepare students for higher education and national security career
opportunities.
Department of Defense chemical and biological emerging threats re-
sponse efforts
The U.S. Government Accountability Office’s December 2018 re-
port on Emerging Threats highlighted a range of potential threats
and opportunities that cover a broad spectrum of science and tech-
nology. These threats include synthetic biology and bioengineering,
artificial intelligence, and natural biological threats. The committee
notes that the current coronavirus pandemic is precisely the kind
of threat identified in that report that has been of concern to plan-
ners throughout the government for years. At a time when the
United States is struggling to respond to the spread of a highly in-
fectious new virus, the committee is concerned about the prepared-
ness of the U.S. Armed Forces to respond to significant state-level
weapons of mass destruction events.
The committee recognizes the valuable work done by key ele-
ments of the defense research enterprise, such as the Defense Ad-
vanced Research Projects Agency. However, the committee remains
concerned about the Department’s capacity and planning for re-
search on science and technology, and conversion to development to
capitalize on opportunities, address emerging threats early, and re-
spond in a flexible manner to those threats that materialize rap-
idly, such as the coronavirus pandemic. Ensuring that the Depart-
ment’s science and technology and research and development enter-
prises are coordinated is important in building flexibility for the
broad range of associated capabilities to respond to emerging
threats. Similarly, ensuring that the Department has the structure
in place to plan and exercise for potential responses to these poten-
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tially catastrophic emerging threats is critical for military and na-
tional preparedness.
The committee therefore directs the Comptroller General to as-
sess the Department’s strategy and planning for research and de-
velopment and for emerging threats, and particularly biological
threats, and for incorporating those threats into broader planning
and exercise mechanisms. The assessment should include:
(1) The Department’s strategy and planning for research and de-
velopment, including plans for prioritizing efforts to address emerg-
ing threats;
(2) The Department’s visibility and coordination of capabilities
and capacity in all elements of the research and development port-
folio, including:
(a) DOD science and technology research laboratories;
(b) the Chemical Biological Defense Program;
(c) the Defense Threat Reduction Agency;
(d) DOD-sponsored research in academia;
(e) Manufacturing Innovation Institutes,
(f) small business innovation research and technology transfer;
and
(g) other efforts;
(3) The Department’s coordination with other federal and non-
governmental organizations to plan and conduct research and de-
velopment activities;
(4) The Department’s plans, capacity, and authorities, for draw-
ing upon the extensive research and development enterprise to re-
spond to the coronavirus pandemic or similar rapidly occurring
threats;
(5) Department-wide tabletop exercises and wargames;
(6) Medical countermeasures and stockpile completeness; and
(7) Any other matters the Comptroller General deems appro-
priate.
The committee directs the Comptroller General to provide a
briefing to the congressional defense committees by March 1, 2021,
on preliminary findings and submit a final report to the congres-
sional defense committees at a date agreed to at the time of the
briefing.
Development of technology to increase the resiliency in mitigating
viral pandemics
The committee commends the Department of Defense’s response
effort to COVID–19 to ensure the safety of military and civilian
personnel in the United States and around the world. The com-
mittee is aware of maturing sensor capabilities that instantly
screen and identify individuals infected with COVID–19 that are
both presymptomatic or asymptomatic. As such, the committee en-
courages the Department of Defense to engage in research and de-
velopment of detection approaches that are scalable, deployable,
and provide detection for pre-symptomatic, symptomatic, and
asymptomatic individuals. Furthermore, the committee under-
stands that capabilities developed by the Department, such as in-
frared laser technology to detect trace explosives, can be applied to
viral detection. The Department should consider a variety of tech-
nologies that would provide active remote viral detection capabili-
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ties and employ all means to fast-track research and development
of promising technologies and approaches.
Therefore, the committee directs the Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Defense for Chemical and Biological Defense to provide a brief-
ing to the House Committee on Armed Services by March 15, 2021
on the development of technology to increase the resiliency in miti-
gating viral pandemics, including an assessment of the gaps in the
Department’s viral pandemic detection and surveillance capabili-
ties, a summary of current viral pandemic research and develop-
ment response efforts focused on remote or standoff testing of po-
tentially infected individuals, an analysis of existing chemical or bi-
ological detection capabilities developed by the Chemical Biological
Defense Program and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency to ad-
dress gaps in viral pandemic detection and surveillance, a descrip-
tion of current advanced development efforts for improved disease
detection, and an estimated time to delivery of functional capabili-
ties for such technologies.
Enhancing research into human performance and resilience tech-
nologies in support of special operations force personnel
The budget request for fiscal year 2021 contained $42.4 million
in PE 1160401BB for special operations forces technology develop-
ment.
The committee is aware that high operational tempo deploy-
ments with little recovery time, combined with increasing oper-
ational load requirements affect emotional resilience and physical
mobility, which can compound the potential for mental and phys-
ical health injuries. The committee notes that in 2009, U.S. Special
Operations Command (USSOCOM) implemented a human perform-
ance program to enable special operations forces (SOF) to attain
and sustain peak cognitive and physical performance by developing
technologies that enhance psychological and physical recovery. The
committee is encouraged by USSOCOM’s use of machine learning
and artificial intelligence to facilitate development of
neurocognitive mapping capabilities to more accurately capture the
psychological data of SOF, with the intention of aligning proper
emotional care to the exquisite physical therapy capabilities, broad-
ly designed to rehabilitate and maintain SOF as they maneuver
throughout the special operations enterprise.
The committee supports additional emphasis on efforts such as
neurocognitive mapping, and recognizes that additional funding
would augment development of capabilities to enhance SOF psycho-
logical and physical performance. Therefore, the committee rec-
ommends $47.4 million, an increase of $5.0 million, in PE
1160401BB for SOF technology development.
Establishing a research consortium of excellence for irregular war-
fare and advanced analytics
The budget request contained $35.6 million in PE 0601110D8Z
for Basic Research Initiatives.
The committee recognizes the importance of basic research and
academic engagement as critical to shaping the effectiveness of cur-
rent and future national security policies and strategy. The com-
mittee understands that there is currently a wide range of social
science research in the areas of irregular warfare that should be
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leveraged, including the better use of, and integration with, exist-
ing research by organizations maintaining public repositories of in-
cidents related to acts of terrorism, societal responses, and trends
of sympathies towards violent extremist ideologies. The committee
believes that it is within the purview of the Department of Defense,
and specifically the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and
Engineering (USD(R&E)) to foster academically rigorous studies of
these strategic challenges facing the Department.
Academic research activities provide a foundational under-
standing for how to assess the effectiveness of strategic and oper-
ational irregular warfare activities and programs as the Depart-
ment enhances non-kinetic efforts below the level of armed conflict
to compete with near-peer adversaries, while balancing existing ca-
pabilities and efforts postured to counter violent extremist organi-
zations. The committee therefore believes that the USD(R&E)
Basic Research Office should establish a research consortium of ex-
cellence for irregular warfare and advanced analytics.
The committee is aware the Department has been investing in
the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses
to Terrorism (START) and is the largest consumer of data from this
program. START is a university-based research and education cen-
ter that provides an effective resource that has informed current
counterterrorism policies and strategy.
The committee therefore recommends $40.6 million, an increase
of $5.0 million, in PE 0601110D8Z for Basic Research Initiatives to
establish and fund the START consortium as a research consortium
of excellence for irregular warfare and advanced analytics. Further,
the committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Research
and Engineering to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services by January 29, 2021, on the processes and proce-
dures to establish and fund the START consortium as a research
consortium of excellence for irregular warfare and advanced ana-
lytics.
Evaluation of emergent technologies in support of special operations
forces in great power competition
The budget request contained $137.2 million in PE 1160408BB
for the Operational Enhancements program.
The committee recognizes that continued investment and re-
search in emerging technologies such as Machine Learning/Artifi-
cial Intelligence (ML/AI) is critical to securing the competitive ad-
vantage of the United States. The committee remains committed to
ensuring the Department of Defense continues to prioritize the de-
velopment of such capabilities, and is aware of a recent Govern-
ment Accountability Office report on long-range emerging threats
facing the United States that highlighted the aggressive pursuit of
ML/AI technologies by our adversaries.
The committee appreciates the substantial efforts by the Joint
Artificial Intelligence Center to establish standards, manage devel-
opment, and integrate ML/AI technologies for the benefit of the
Joint Force, and the close coordination with U.S. Special Oper-
ations Command (USSOCOM). The committee notes the impor-
tance of demonstrating the operational use of these capabilities in
semi- and non-permissive environments, such as those forces de-
ployed from USSOCOM. The committee is interested in better un-
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derstanding the application of such capabilities in strategically dy-
namic environments with near-peer adversaries.
Therefore, the committee directs the Director of the Joint Artifi-
cial Intelligence Center, in coordination with Commander,
USSOCOM, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services by November 1, 2020, on an assessment of ML/AI
technologies to enable operational maneuver, autonomous or other-
wise, in highly-contested environments with near-peer adversaries.
The committee recommends $147.2 million, an increase of $10.0
million, in PE 1160408BB for the Operational Enhancements pro-
gram.
Feasibility assessment of establishing large and open defense based
data sets
The committee believes that the Secretary of Defense should
work with the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the National Insti-
tute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to expand the number of
open-source, high-quality data sets within Project Open Data to in-
crease the availability of open data and foster research and innova-
tion in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Defense, in
coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and
Engineering, to perform an assessment of large data sets main-
tained by the Department that could be publicly released for im-
proved analytics and training of artificial intelligence and machine
learning applications. The assessment shall include:
(1) a survey of the data sets maintained by the Department of
Defense, to which artificial intelligence and machine learning is ap-
plicable, including but not limited to, health records; employment
records; weather data; geospatial data; utilities; and logistics;
(2) necessary actions for the data sets identified in (1) to
anonymize, sanitize, or otherwise remove sensitive information to
make the data sets suitable for public consumption;
(3) the feasibility of releasing the resulting data sets of (2)
through a public facing webpage;
(4) an assessment of the benefits resulting from the public avail-
ability of the data sets in (2), to include commercial, research, and
government uses;
(5) an assessment of the benefit in developing the national secu-
rity workforce resulting from the public availability of the data sets
in (2) for use by K–12 and university education programs;
(6) a recommendation on the public release of the data sets in
(2); and
(7) any other matters the Secretary determines appropriate.
The committee further directs the Secretary to submit a report
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House
of Representatives not later than January 1, 2022, on the results
of the assessment, and what engagement the Department has had
with OSTP, OMB, and NIST on increasing the availability of open
data.
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Forecasting and modeling partnerships for countering infectious
diseases
The committee believes that emerging viral threats such as the
novel 2019 Coronavirus highlight the need for innovative and real-
time forecasting and monitoring techniques to ensure our military
and civilians are best positioned to respond to emerging public
health and national security threats. The committee encourages
the Department of Defense to leverage emerging infectious disease
forecasting and monitoring data developed by institutions of higher
education and private partners. The committee encourages the De-
partment to prioritize funding and explore partnerships to improve
our ability to respond to public health and national security threats
through emerging infectious disease modeling and forecasting.
GPS-based precision approach and landing system
The committee is encouraged by the Navy’s success in procuring
a global positioning system (GPS)-based, all-weather, precision ap-
proach and landing system for eventual deployment on all Navy
aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships for its F–35–B, F–
35C, and MQ–25 aircraft. The committee understands that the
Navy and Marine Corps are currently conducting feasibility studies
to determine whether the F/A–18E, F/A–18F, EA–18G, and all
variants of the V–22 can also be integrated into its precision ap-
proach and landing system.
The committee believes that expanding the sea-based joint preci-
sion approach and landing system capability to other U.S. military
aircraft that operate in expeditionary environments would permit
such aircraft to safely land at remote, forward-deployed airbases,
even in situations involving difficult terrain or extremely low visi-
bility. The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services by February 1,
2021, on the feasibility and advisability of integrating a common
expeditionary GPS-based, all-weather, precision approach and land-
ing system capability into its aircraft that are most likely to serve
in forward-deployed environments, the C–130, F–16 and H–60.
High energy laser endless magazine definition
The committee supports investments across the Department of
Defense in directed energy systems capable of countering the full
array of incoming threats, from unmanned air systems to cruise
missiles. Additionally, the committee understands that magazine
depth is but one of the system variables that need to be considered
in delivering required mission effectiveness within the size and
weight constraints of the platform within which the system is inte-
grated or with which it is otherwise deployed. The committee also
supports development of systems with endless, or near endless,
magazines to ensure capability to counter salvos or swarms of any
size. The committee is concerned that while the Department has
included reference to a near endless magazine in its budget jus-
tifications for high energy laser systems, it has not defined the
term sufficiently to facilitate predictable requirements development
and guide investment by industry.
The committee directs the Assistant Director for Directed Energy
within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research
and Engineering to submit a report to the House Committee on
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Armed Services by December 1, 2020, on the definition of an ‘‘end-
less magazine’’ to sufficiently facilitate predictable requirements
development and guide investment by industry. The Assistant Di-
rector for Directed Energy shall assess whether, for high energy
laser systems, an ‘‘endless magazine’’ shall be defined as an ability
to engage at the rate necessary to counter highly complex, nearly
simultaneous incoming threats, of the type for which the system
was designed to counter, without temporary cessation of fire for
battery recharge or exchange, thermal management, or other pre-
dictable technical limitations. The AD for DE shall provide a rec-
ommendation as to whether, except in the case of airborne applica-
tions, an endless magazine shall be provided as a stand-alone capa-
bility within the envelope of the platform, without the need for ex-
ternal devices or trailers.
Hydrogen safety for battery use
The committee recognizes that the Army continues to work on
fuel cell advancements through projects at the Ground Vehicle Sys-
tems Center and the Navy is continuing to make progress through
ongoing programs within the Office of Naval Research. The com-
mittee is concerned that misconceptions surrounding hydrogen as
a fuel have caused undue delays in the further development of this
technology. The commercial industry has developed safe handling
processes to advance fuel cell technology in numerous industrial
applications. As the Department strives to enable hydrogen fuel
cell technology, safety standards and processes must be developed
simultaneously. Hydrogen fuel cells promise the benefits of an elec-
tric vehicle with the rapid refueling capability of a traditional die-
sel platform, providing extended silent operations without the need
for battery recharging.
The committee therefore urges the Under Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering to review:
(1) the safety concerns of hydrogen on the battlefield;
(2) the methods to mitigate hydrogen safety concerns regarding
generation, distribution, and use;
(3) potential methods to field hydrogen in austere environments;
(4) each military service’s use case for hydrogen fuel cells; and
(5) planned timelines to move from research and development
initiatives to procurement programs of record.
Implementation of Department of Defense Inspector General rec-
ommendations on additive manufacturing
The committee is concerned with the Department of Defense’s ex-
isting level of coordination of additive manufacturing efforts and
encourages the use of additive manufacturing whenever possible to
save both the Department and taxpayer valuable cost and time.
In October 2019, the Department of Defense Inspector General
produced a report titled, ‘‘Audit of the DoD’s Use of Additive Manu-
facturing for Sustainment Parts (DODIG–2020–003),’’ and provided
a set of recommendations. The committee directs the Under Sec-
retary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in coordination
with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and
Sustainment and the Service Acquisition Executives, to submit a
report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the
House of Representatives by February 15, 2021, outlining the De-
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partment’s plan to address each of the recommendations listed in
the Inspector General report. Further, if the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering decides not to implement
any of the Inspector General recommendations, they must include
the justification for that decision in the report, as well what actions
the Department will take to address the conditions underlying the
recommendation.
Infrastructure to support research, development, test, and engineer-
ing at China Lake
The committee is aware of the significant research, development,
test, and evaluation (RDT&E) infrastructure requirements across
the Department of Defense. Section 252 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92) re-
quires the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secre-
taries of the military departments, to complete a master plan of the
current infrastructure needs of the Major Range and Test Facility
Base not later than January 1, 2021. However, several Major
Range and Test Facilities, including Naval Air Weapons Station
(NAWS) China Lake, have more immediate requirements. NAWS
China Lake performs a critical function for the Department of De-
fense, but was determined to be not mission capable after a 7.1
magnitude earthquake on July 5, 2019. In light of the importance
of the mission and the investments made to date to repair NAWS
China Lake, it is prudent that the committee fully understand the
complete RDT&E infrastructure requirements before major con-
struction commences. Therefore, the committee directs the Sec-
retary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than October 30, 2020, on the RDT&E in-
frastructure master plan for NAWS China Lake.
Investment in research and development for decontamination tech-
nology to support civilian applications
The committee recognizes the valuable contribution of the De-
partment of Defense in developing decontamination technologies
against biological threats. In response to the COVID–19 pandemic,
the Chemical and Biological Defense Program quickly funded the
Joint Biological Agent Decontamination System Lite (JBADS Lite),
which adapts biothermal decontamination technology from the
original JBADS program of record to decontaminate platforms after
transport of COVID–19 positive personnel.
The committee believes JBADS Lite is critical for the military to
maintain operations during a pandemic while ensuring the safety
of passengers and crew; and that this has applications in the civil-
ian sector to support the decontamination of civilian transportation
systems (i.e. rail, buses, aircraft). Therefore, the committee directs
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical,
and Biological Defense Programs to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by February 15, 2021 on how
JBADS Lite could aid in the pandemic preparedness of civilian
transportation systems in the United States.
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Investment in research and development for technology to test treat-
ments for nuclear, chemical, and biological exposure
As biological threats continue to advance, the committee encour-
ages the Department of Defense to prioritize building on existing
research and development to detect and model treatments for the
potential aerosol dissemination of biological weapons. Areas for in-
creased investment include, but are not limited to, the development
of battlefield instrumentation and aerosol capabilities. The com-
mittee therefore directs the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Chemical and Biological Defense to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than January 15,
2021, on the Department’s assessment of organ-on-chips technology
as a platform for threat assessment and for rapidly developed
treatments (medical countermeasures) for biological, chemical, and
radiological threats, and what plans the Department has to use
this technology going forward.
Joint vaccine acquisition program
The committee recognizes that botulism or plague have been
identified as potential biological weapons against service members
or the general public. The committee further recognizes that there
are currently no available vaccines to protect against these threats.
The committee notes that the Department of Defense has invested
$300M in developing a plague vaccine and $375M in developing a
botulism vaccine. The committee further notes the impact the cur-
rent viral pandemic has had on national security, to include eco-
nomic and military readiness, and that reductions to research and
development of vaccines reduces the Department’s ability to re-
spond to pandemic outbreaks. The committee believes that the con-
tinuation of these existing projects under the Joint Vaccine Acquisi-
tion Program is necessary to ensure that a deployable vaccine for
these agents is available to protect our warfighters and to provide
continuity for capabilities under a scenario in which these agents
are utilized in a combat environment. Therefore, the committee en-
courages the Secretary of Defense to continue the development of
botulinum and plague vaccines and directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
no later than November 1, 2020 on the acquisition strategy for the
botulinum and plague vaccines, to include the status of the devel-
opment, the cost to complete the development, and the risks if de-
velopment is discontinued.
Modular Open Systems common data standards
The committee continues to be encouraged by the development,
demonstration, and validation of common data standards and im-
plementation of the Modular Open Systems Approach. However,
the committee is concerned that access to these standards by the
general academic population and technology industry remains lim-
ited. The committee notes that while a subset of the components
of these standards are based on sensitive or classified information,
that the data standards and interfaces used by the Department are
predominantly based on publicly available sources such as
foundational science and engineering principles. The committee
further notes that restricting public access to the portion of the
standards based on public knowledge unnecessarily increases cost
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for the conversion of commercial products to defense applications
and limits the experimentation and innovation available to the De-
partment of Defense. The committee is concerned that barriers to
accessing these standards have an outsized impact in the fields of
artificial intelligence, autonomy, and unmanned air vehicles.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than February 15, 2021, on:
(1) which components of the common data standards used by the
Department are based on publicly available knowledge, to include,
at a minimum: Open Mission Systems developed by the Air Force;
the Future Airborne Capabilities Environment developed by the
Navy; and the VICTORY Initiative, developed by the Army;
(2) the applicability of these components to artificial intelligence-
based technologies, including autonomous ground vehicles or un-
manned air vehicles;
(3) the feasibility of releasing a public subset of the data stand-
ards to reduce the barriers to research with, and adoption by, aca-
demia and technology companies;
(4) an assessment of the cost savings to the Department attrib-
utable to the public release of a subset of the data standards; and
(5) an assessment of the benefit in developing the national secu-
rity workforce by releasing a public subset of the data standards.
Next generation semiconductor development and manufacturing
The committee believes that the Department of Defense declara-
tion of 5th generation (5G) communications information technology
as a modernization priority, as well as the global proliferation of
5G communications technology, provides an opportunity to fully as-
sess the security of all 5G components, to include semiconductors.
The committee is aware that the commercial demand for 5G tech-
nology is stimulating foreign investment, particularly by China, to
develop advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Gallium Arsenide
(GaAs) radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) technology at a
pace faster than the U.S. industrial base can sustain. RFIC tech-
nology is a key enabler to high performance military radar, secure
communication, electronic warfare platforms and 5G infrastructure,
providing a strategic technology advantage for the Department of
Defense to maintain national security and warfighter viability.
Commercial volumes for next generation RFICs to support a 5G
roll-out will far outstrip Department of Defense demand, providing
foreign competitors with motivation to fund research and develop-
ment and effectively establish themselves as global leaders in a
mission-critical industry. The committee is concerned that if the
commercial economies of scale for these critical technologies are
lost to foreign competitors, the United States’s ability to maintain
technology superiority will be directly compromised. The committee
supports the Department of Defense’s efforts to prioritize the devel-
opment and procurement of both GaN and GaAs technology that
can deliver next generation RFIC technology supporting both stra-
tegic Department of Defense priorities and 5G commercial de-
mands.
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Nuclear micro reactors
The budget request included $730.5 million in PE 0604250D8Z
for Advanced Innovative Technologies.
The committee believes energy will be a critical enabler of future
military operations and is concerned that the intermittent char-
acters of many alternative energy sources are unable to keep pace
with the growth of the Department of Defense’s energy needs. The
committee supports the development of a reliable, abundant, and
continuous energy source provided by a mobile nuclear reactor.
The committee is aware that Project Pele is on track to design,
build, and demonstrate a prototype mobile nuclear reactor capa-
bility by calendar year 2024, and that the Joint Requirements
Oversight Council recently agreed to establish requirements for a
mobile nuclear reactor capability. The committee is encouraged by
this progress and encourages the Director of the Strategic Capabili-
ties Office to refine the program’s objectives and work with the
Services to provide programmatic and transition planning in ad-
vance of the planned 2024 initial operating testing date.
Further, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by Jan-
uary 1, 2021, on the following:
(1) the Department’s plans to employ mobile nuclear reactors to
meet the Department’s priorities in areas such as multi-domain op-
erations, advanced weaponry, and force modernization/electrifica-
tion initiatives;
(2) the Department’s strategy for deploying mobile nuclear reac-
tors at domestic strategic support areas;
(3) the Department’s plan to work with the Department of En-
ergy to identify and develop the procurement strategy to acquire
feed material for microreactor fuel; and
(4) the status of pilot programs for micro-reactors.
The committee recommends an increase of $50.0 million in PE
0604250D8Z, Advanced Innovative Technologies, for the Strategic
Capabilities Office to further develop and prove out its mobile nu-
clear reactor concept through Project Pele.
Public-Private Partnerships for Product Support on software-inten-
sive government systems
The committee notes the work of the Department of Defense in
codifying Public-Private Partnerships for Product Support through
Department of Defense Instruction 4151.21. This instruction re-
quires that public-private partnerships (PPP) for depot-level main-
tenance be employed whenever it is cost-effective in providing im-
proved support to the warfighter. The goal is to maximize the utili-
zation of the government’s facilities, equipment, and personnel at
Department of Defense depot-level maintenance activities as a way
to facilitate innovative and creative thinking.
However, it is evident that maintaining a conventional PPP as
it relates to software-intensive systems further complicates the
partnership and hinders the goal of a PPP to ‘‘ensure effective and
timely response to mobilization, national defense contingency situa-
tions, and other emergency requirements.’’ This is because risk is
induced as software crosses multiple subsystems and can lead to
complications for a program. Requiring different groups to perform
routine updates on software that may have a commercial origin can
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cause system anomalies and duplication of effort. The current re-
quirements from the Department of Defense Instruction 4151.21
appear ill-suited for application to the Department’s software
usage.
The committee supports the Department’s efforts to prioritize
partnerships between public and private entities to achieve critical,
yet cost-effective support to the warfighter. However, the Depart-
ment should reevaluate the requirements for the PPP as relates to
software systems. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than August 1, 2021, on how the Department of
Defense can adjust requirements to make these more applicable to
software systems.
Quantum research efforts
The committee is pleased that the Under Secretary of Defense for
Research and Engineering has established an Assistant Director
for Quantum Sciences with the responsibility of producing a tech-
nology road map aligning quantum research and information
science across the Department of Defense and each of the military
services. The committee urges the Assistant Director for Quantum
Sciences to consider the Department’s quantum workforce gaps,
and what science, technology, engineering, and math related edu-
cation is required to develop the necessary future quantum work-
force in the Quantum Sciences road map for the Department.
Report on Department of Defense university research COVID–19 re-
covery
The committee is aware that most academic research has been
suspended or slowed down due to the pandemic. With these set-
backs, the university’s workforce is also impacted, especially
postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and technical support staff.
Recognizing that many of the technologies the nation uses today
were derived from Department of Defense-funded fundamental re-
search, the committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Research and Engineering, in collaboration with the research direc-
tors of the military services, to submit a report to the Committees
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives
by January 1, 2021, addressing research impacts due to COVID–
19, including, at a minimum, (1) the total number of grants and co-
operative agreements that would need cost extensions to complete
their original award scope fully funded; (2) total cost of providing
cost extensions for such grants and cooperative agreements; (3) a
best estimate taken from information on the number of grants af-
fected of the total number of Department-funded postdoctoral fel-
lows and graduate students unable to reach their desired academic
or professional level because of a lack of research funding; and (4)
any other negative impacts to the defense science and technology
program as determined by the Under Secretary.
Report on employing and strengthening the United States’
hypersonics research and development workforce
The committee commends the Department of Defense’s increased
attention on and strong investment in hypersonic weapons develop-
ment to rapidly achieve operational capability. However, the com-
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mittee is concerned that the Department’s investments focus on
near-term integration of existing capabilities and may fail to ad-
vance next-generation technologies at the pace needed to sustain or
extend the nation’s hypersonics technological advantage. The com-
mittee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and En-
gineering to brief the congressional defense committees no later
than January 31st 2021 on lower technology readiness level (6.1,
6.2, 6.3, and 6.4) investments being made in next generation
hypersonic capabilities; the lack of test facilities accessible to the
hypersonics industrial base, and specifically the lack of hypersonic
wind tunnels; the number and status of hypersonics contracts in
place with small businesses; and a comprehensive inventory of U.S.
hypersonic test assets, including those owned and/or operated by
universities, government laboratories, Federally-Funded Research
and Development Centers, and industry.
Report on waterjet demilitarization technology
The committee remains concerned that insufficient attention has
been placed on the development of technology to safely demilitarize
chemical or biological weapons in situ as today the detonation of
these weapons is not always feasible without dispersing the agents.
The committee understands high pressure waterjet technology sys-
tems have proven their capability to safely demilitarize munitions
on land and have demonstrated the ability to demilitarize muni-
tions in shallow water. Despite this, the committee remains con-
cerned that munitions in waters greater than 120 feet pose a
threat that has not been addressed. Therefore, the committee di-
rects the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the congres-
sional defense committees no later than January 31, 2021 outlining
a plan to continue the development and implementation of a fully
integrated transportable high-pressure waterjet system for the de-
militarization of chemical and biological weapons and to further
fund waterjet technology systems for the removal of constituents in
munitions located in deep water environments.
Report to Congress on High Mach and Hypersonic Aircraft Capa-
bilities
The committee continues to be concerned about the threats posed
by hypersonic weapons and the imperative to develop offensive and
defensive hypersonic weapons systems. Further, report language
accompanying the House Department of Defense Appropriations
Act for Fiscal Year 2020 encouraged Air Force research into reus-
able hypersonic propulsion technologies including high Mach tur-
bines. The committee is aware of ongoing efforts to mature tech-
nologies necessary to develop aircraft capable of high Mach and
hypersonic flight, and believes these aircraft have the potential to
greatly expand operational capability and flexibility in intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance, responsive space access, payload
delivery, and transport. Therefore, the committee directs the Under
Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services no later than
the February 1, 2021 on current capability gaps that will be filled
by high Mach and hypersonic aircraft, the Department’s acquisition
strategy for these programs, and an updated road map.
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Tactical training range instrumentation
The committee understands that existing Air Force and Navy air
combat training systems are nearing the end of their service-life.
There exists a common requirement to develop and field replace-
ment technologies that ensures combat aircrew training remains
uninterrupted for Active, Guard, and Reserve Component aviation
forces during the transition to next generation aircraft and data-
relay technologies.
The committee notes that air combat training systems and asso-
ciated technologies provide combat air forces with the opportunity
to improve their readiness by providing experience through ad-
vanced simulation techniques prior to actual combat. The com-
mittee believes the next generation of air combat training systems
needs to support Department of Defense and foreign partner air
forces with collaborative training for both fourth and fifth genera-
tion aircraft representing high fidelity combat environments. Train-
ing systems should also integrate capabilities that provide aircrews
with real-time, threat-representative training and efficient post-
mission debriefing that enables aircrews to reconstruct training
events in less time and provides higher fidelity modeling to assess
weapons fly-out data for simulated air-to-air and air-to-ground
weapons employed during training.
The committee is aware that the Air Force and Navy recently
conducted a joint assessment of future training capability require-
ments and entered into a memorandum of understanding to begin
the design and development of a joint training system. As part of
this ongoing collaboration, the committee encourages the Air Force
and Navy to consider leveraging, fielding, and integrating new
training aid systems at land or over-water training ranges utilized
by Active, Guard, or Reserve Component forces with an assigned
mission to provide friendly or threat representative training capa-
bilities to combat air forces.
Testing of lithium ion batteries
The committee recognizes that the Navy serves as the technology
warrant holder for the Department of Defense on lithium-ion bat-
tery testing and certification. The Navy’s Lithium Battery Safety
Program establishes the safety guidelines for the selection, design,
testing, evaluation, use, packaging, storage, transportation, and
disposal of lithium batteries.
The automotive industry is making rapid advancements in lith-
ium-ion battery technologies and leading battery development in
the commercial space. In order to innovate at the pace of commer-
cial industry, the Department must streamline its processes for
battery testing and certification. This streamlined approach is cru-
cial to technology demonstration and prototype projects where
timeline and budget are limited.
The committee therefore urges the Secretary of the Navy to:
(1) review the current testing of Department of Defense lithium-
ion batteries, including the size and scale of test chambers, staffed
personnel to run the test chambers, and the physical limitations of
the quantity of test chambers;
(2) examine the capacity of the lithium-ion battery testing, to in-
clude details on the volume of testing, and any limitations on the
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size, weight, power wattage, and voltage able to be tested inside
Department of Defense facilities;
(3) evaluate the overall speed of the certification process and note
delays or impacts on current battery projects and new, evolving
battery technologies entering the certification process; and
(4) identify any commercial facilities that could supplement or re-
place current Department of Defense processes, and leverage com-
mercial expertise in this field.
Use of artificial intelligence to analyze beneficial ownership of de-
fense contractors
The Committee remains concerned with the threat of peer and
near-peer competitors acquiring critical technology developed by
American companies via shell corporations that hide their true
ownership in order to circumvent review by the Committee on For-
eign Investment in the United States. The Committee, therefore,
directs the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by April 30,
2021 on commercial capabilities, current challenges, and required
resources necessary to develop artificial intelligence for analyzing
beneficial ownership of defense contractors or corporations seeking
Department of Defense contracts. The artificial intelligence and re-
lated capabilities reviewed should be capable of identifying organi-
zations or individuals that hide ownership or investments in com-
panies that contract with the Department of Defense for critical
technology.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
SUBTITLE A—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
Section 201—Authorization of Appropriations
This section would authorize appropriations for research, devel-
opment, test, and evaluation at the levels identified in section 4201
of division D of this Act.
SUBTITLE B—PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS, AND
LIMITATIONS
Section 211—Modification of Science, Mathematics, and Research
for Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program
This section would amend section 2192a of title 10, United States
Code, by establishing a scholarship for service pilot subprogram
under the Department’s Science, Mathematics, and Research for
Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program for students
at minority institutions to diversify and strengthen the national se-
curity workforce. This section would require the Secretary of De-
fense to submit an initial report to the congressional defense com-
mittees by December 31, 2022, on the establishment of the pilot
subprogram, and a final report by September 30, 2024, on the suc-
cess of the pilot program in recruiting individuals for scholarships
under this section and hiring and retaining those individuals in the
public sector workforce.
This section would also require the Secretary to pay participants
at a rate that is comparable to the private sector and include a
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paid internship requirement with defense industry, and it would
require that not less than 20 percent of SMART program scholar-
ship awards go to individuals pursuing degrees in computer science
or a related field of study.
Section 212—Enhanced Participation of Department of Defense
Contractors in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathe-
matics Activities
This section would amend chapter 111 of title 10, United States
Code, to establish a new section, 2192c program to enhance con-
tractor participation in science, technology, engineering, and math-
ematics activities. This section would also direct the Secretary of
Defense to carry out a program under which the Secretary shall
seek to enter into partnerships with Department of Defense con-
tractors to carry out community service activities to promote inter-
est in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math dis-
ciplines, and allow those activities to be considered as allowable
costs on a government contract.
Section 213—Modification of Requirements Relating to Certain
Cooperative Research and Development Agreements
This section would amend section 2350a of title 10, United States
Code, by allowing the Secretary of Defense to delegate his or her
authority to make a determination to enter into a cooperative re-
search and development project to only one party. It would also
allow for cooperative research and development projects when cost
sharing is unequal in cases that provide strategic value to the
United States or partner country. This section would also allow the
Secretary, or designee, to procure qualified services from the for-
eign entity with the requirement that written notice must be sent
to the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on For-
eign Relations of the Senate no later than 30 days before issuing
a waiver.
Section 214—Pilot Program on Talent Optimization
This section would direct the Under Secretary of Defense for Re-
search and Engineering, acting through the Director of the Defense
Innovation Unit, to conduct a pilot program to develop a talent op-
timization marketplace for military personnel in the Reserve and
Guard Components.
Section 215—Codification of the National Security Innovation
Network
This section would amend chapter 139 of title 10, United States
Code, by inserting a new section 2358c, National Security Innova-
tion Network. This new section would establish a program office to
be known as the National Security Innovation Network (formerly
the MD5 National Security Technology Accelerator) as a perma-
nent office within the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and
Engineering or another organization at the discretion of the Sec-
retary of Defense. This section would require the Secretary of De-
fense to submit a report no later than 180 days after the date of
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the enactment of this Act on the Department’s plan to establish
this office. This section would require the Comptroller General of
the United States to submit a review of the report to the congres-
sional defense committees not later than 180 days after the Sec-
retary’s implementation report. Finally, this section would require
the Comptroller General to review and submit an evaluation of the
program to the appropriate congressional committees not later
than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Additionally, the committee notes that Hacking for Defense
(H4D) is authorized as a National Security Innovation and Entre-
preneurial Education Program in the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91) to enable De-
partment of Defense innovation. H4D is a university course devel-
oped by U.S. military combat veterans and private sector entre-
preneurs taught at universities across the United States in which
students apply cutting-edge problem-solving techniques to real-
world national security and defense problems. The committee finds
that H4D supports solution development directly for the
warfighter, improves U.S. military readiness, and stimulates
growth within the National Security Innovation Base, consistent
with the 2018 National Defense Strategy. Further, the committee
believes H4D fosters the growth of an emerging generation of na-
tional security leaders and mission-driven entrepreneurs by im-
proving and expanding the science, technology, engineering, and
math skill sets within the U.S. workforce. The committee believes
that the Department should fully resource H4D and its growing
ecosystem of national security innovators and entrepreneurs
through the provision of the annual funding required to enhance
existing H4D university courses.
Section 216—Modification of Pilot Program on Enhanced Civics
Education
This section would amend section 234 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92) to in-
clude in the pilot program the improvement of critical thinking and
media literacy among students. This section would require the Sec-
retary of Defense to implement the pilot program not later than 90
days after the date of the enactment of this Act. This section would
also require the Secretary to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees not later than 30 days after the date of the en-
actment of this Act on the Secretary’s efforts to implement the pilot
program.
Section 217—Modification of Joint Artificial Intelligence Research,
Development, and Transition Activities
This section would amend section 238 of the John S. McCain Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law
115–232) by assigning responsibility for the Joint Artificial Intel-
ligence Center (JAIC) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense and en-
sure data access and visibility for the JAIC.
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Section 218—Modification of National Security Innovation
Activities and Manufacturing Pilot Program
This section would amend section 2358 of title 10, United States
Code, by realigning the National Security Innovation Capital
(NSIC) program under the Defense Innovation Unit and estab-
lishing an advisory board to provide recommendations on defense
innovation priority investments once NSIC funding is available.
This section would also amend section 2505 of title 10, United
States Code, by extending the Defense Manufacturing pilot pro-
gram.
Section 219—Extension of Pilot Program for the Enhancement of
the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Centers of the
Department of Defense
This section would extend the termination date by 5 years for the
pilot program for the enhancement of the research, development,
test, and evaluation centers of the Department of Defense estab-
lished in section 233 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328). The new pilot termination
date would be September 30, 2027. This section would require the
Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the congressional de-
fense committees not later than 1 year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act on the status of the pilot program, to include: (1)
which military departments are not participating in the program;
(2) any issues that are preventing their participation; and (3) any
offices or elements of the Department that may be responsible for
their delay in implementation. This section would also correct the
title of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logis-
tics, and Technology.
The committee believes in the importance of demonstrating
methods for the more effective development of technology and man-
agement of functions at the Department’s science and technology
reinvention laboratories, test and evaluation centers part of the
Major Range and Test Facility Base, and at the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency. The committee urges each of the mili-
tary services and the Office of the Secretary of Defense to make the
most of the extended timeframe for this important pilot program.
Section 220—Digital Data Management and Analytics Capability
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to develop and
implement an advanced digital data and analytics capability to
digitally integrate all elements of the Department of Defense’s ac-
quisition process; digitally record and track all relevant data gen-
erated during the research, development, testing, and evaluation of
systems; and maximize the use of such data to inform the further
development and improvement of both acquisition systems and the
acquisition process for those systems.
The committee is aware that several U.S. Government Account-
ability Office reports have cited the need for improved data man-
agement processes surrounding the Department’s overall manage-
ment framework. While most relevant data is government owned
and authorized for Department-wide use, there is no enterprise
mechanism facilitating the discovery, access, correlation or integra-
tion, and use of acquisition-related data across organizational
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boundaries. Each functional organization has established and lo-
cally optimized its own data and analytic processes for its own
needs, and in many cases even these local practices are highly
manual and inefficient.
To this end, this section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a significant review of data content and requirements to
support management functions; implement demonstration activities
to develop lessons learned and inform the way forward; conduct a
comparative analysis that assesses the risks and benefits of the
digital management and analytics capability relative to the Depart-
ment’s traditional data collection, reporting, exposing, and analysis
approaches; and update the Department’s policy and guidance
based on the results of the demonstration activities.
This section would also require the Defense Innovation Board, in
consultation with the Defense Digital Service, to conduct an inde-
pendent assessment and submit a report to both the Secretary and
the congressional defense committees no later than 180 days from
enactment of this Act on recommended approaches for implementa-
tion of the capability. This section would then require the Secretary
to submit an implementation report to the congressional defense
committees not later than 90 days after the Defense Innovation
Board’s assessment. Finally, it would require the Defense Innova-
tion Board and the Defense Science Board to submit an inde-
pendent joint assessment on the Department’s progress by March
15, 2022.
Section 221—Social Science, Management Science, and Information
Science Research Activities
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out
a social, management, and information science research and devel-
opment program to ensure the Department of Defense has access
to innovation and expertise in social, management, and information
science necessary for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of
executing Department of Defense operational and management ac-
tivities. This section would require the Secretary to submit a report
by December 31, 2022, to the congressional defense committees on
the program, in both a classified and unclassified format.
The committee recognizes that all national security challenges
facing the United States require an understanding of the causes
and consequences of human behavior and has supported the De-
partment’s efforts to expand collaboration with the academic social
science community through the Minerva Research Initiative since
its establishment in 2008. Maintaining the Nation’s technological
superiority in the face of threats from great powers, state and non-
state actors, and individuals requires not only investing in physical
sciences but also the integration of knowledge from cross-discipli-
nary research that explores the social, cultural, behavioral, polit-
ical, historic, and religious drivers and impacts of today’s increas-
ingly complex global security environment.
At a time when peer and near-peer adversaries are increasingly
employing elements of malign influence, disinformation, and preda-
tory economics in concert with technological capabilities, the De-
partment should be increasing its investment in social science re-
search programs, not ending it. Three recent reports from the Na-
tional Academies assessing social science programs and their im-
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pacts on national security and intelligence noted the ongoing con-
tributions of Minerva, and recommended ways to increase outreach
and dissemination of results to enhance the success of the program.
The committee urges the Department of Defense to implement
the recommendations of the National Academies to strengthen ties
between grantees and potential users of their research and increase
visibility, tracking, and dissemination of the research results to the
broader national security community. All military services should
participate in the program and highlight their specific plans and
outcomes in annual budget documentation, further increasing visi-
bility of Minerva-funded research to the user community.
Section 222—Measuring and Incentivizing Programming
Proficiency
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to leverage ex-
isting civilian software development and software architecture cer-
tification programs to implement coding language proficiency and
artificial intelligence competency tests within the Department of
Defense. This would measure an individual’s competency in using
machine learning tools, in a manner similar to the way the Defense
Language Proficiency Test measures competency in foreign lan-
guage skills, and enable the identification of members of the Armed
Forces and civilian employees of the Department of Defense who
have varying levels of quantified coding comprehension and skills
and a propensity to learn new programming paradigms, algo-
rithms, and data analytics.
Section 223—Information Technology Modernization and Security
Efforts
This section would direct an interagency information technology
spectrum modernization effort, led by the Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Communications and Infrastructure and the Na-
tional Telecommunications and Information Administration, to syn-
chronize development and coordination of standards and Federal
spectrum management. This section would also require the Sec-
retary of Defense to establish a program to identify and mitigate
vulnerabilities in the telecommunications infrastructure of the De-
partment of Defense.
Section 224—Board of Directors for the Joint Artificial Intelligence
Center
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to create and
resource a Board of Directors for the Joint Artificial Intelligence
Center (JAIC), comprised of senior Department of Defense officials,
as well as civilian directors not employed by the Department of De-
fense. The objective would be to have a standing body over the
JAIC that can bring governmental and non-governmental experts
together for the purpose of assisting the Department of Defense in
correctly integrating and operationalizing artificial intelligence
technologies.
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Section 225—Directed Energy Working Group
This section would establish a Directed Energy Working Group
inside the Department of Defense to coordinate directed energy ef-
forts across the military services, leverage shared research and de-
velopment, eliminate redundant efforts, and expedite the
operationalization of directed energy programs.
Section 226—Program Executive Officer for Autonomy
This section would create a Program Executive Officer for auton-
omy within the Navy.
Section 227—Accountability Measures Relating to the Advanced
Battle Management System
This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force to pro-
vide additional information on the Advanced Battle Management
System (ABMS) family of systems. This section would amend sec-
tion 147(g) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232) to include as part
of the quarterly briefings a detailed briefing on each on-ramp dem-
onstration conducted during that quarter, to encompass: objectives
achieved; the realism of the exercise, including which portions were
scripted and which were not, and the technical workarounds or
substitute technologies employed; composition of and sustainment
plan for leave-behind interim capabilities provided to a combatant
commander; and the costs spent on technology solutions, range ac-
cess and testing resources, personnel, and logistics, including travel
costs.
This section would also require the Secretary to report on
planned ABMS capabilities, technologies needed to implement and
achieve these capabilities, and a timeline for technology maturation
and notional fielding schedule across the future years defense pro-
gram. The committee expects this report to outline how ABMS in-
tends to transition demonstrated capabilities into sustainable Pro-
grams of Record. This section would further require reports on
ABMS acquisition authorities, coordination between the ABMS Ar-
chitect Office and the Common Mission Control Center, and the
ABMS security plan. Finally, this section would require the Direc-
tor of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation to conduct an
independent cost estimate of any ABMS cost estimate prepared by
the Air Force.
Section 228—Measures to Address Foreign Talent Programs
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to maintain a
list of foreign talent recruitment programs that present a threat to
the United States, and publish the list in the Federal Registrar for
not less than 60 days.
Section 229—Disclosure of Foreign Funding Sources in
Applications for Federal Research Awards
This section would require Federal research agencies to require
any principal investigator or co-principal investigator under a
grant or cooperative agreement to disclose all current and pending
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support and the sources of such support at the time of the applica-
tion.
Section 230—Limitations Relating to Large Unmanned Surface
Vessels and Associated Offensive Weapon Systems
This section would prohibit the procurement of any large un-
manned surface vessels in fiscal year 2021 until a certification re-
garding technology maturity has been submitted to Congress. This
section also includes a prohibition on the inclusion of offensive
weapons systems until the Secretary of Defense certifies how these
systems will comply with the Law of Armed Conflict.
Section 231—Limitation on Availability of Funds Pending Review
and Report on Next Generation Air Dominance Capabilities
This section would limit the Secretary of the Air Force and the
Secretary of the Navy from obligating more than 85 percent of
funding authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2021 for the
Next Generation Air Dominance capabilities until the Director,
Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation performs a non-advocate
review and submits a report to the congressional defense commit-
tees that assesses the separate efforts of the U.S. Air Force and the
U.S. Navy regarding the Next Generation Air Dominance portfolio
of capabilities being developed by each Secretary.
SUBTITLE C—EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE MATTERS
Section 241—Steering Committee on Emerging Technology
This section would establish a steering committee on emerging
technology and national security threats.
Section 242—Training for Human Resources Personnel in Artificial
Intelligence and Related Topics
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to develop and
implement a program to provide human resources personnel with
training in the fields of software development, data science, and ar-
tificial intelligence, as such fields relate to the duties of such per-
sonnel, not later 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Section 243—Unclassified Workspaces for Personnel with Pending
Security Clearances
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to issue guid-
ance not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act to ensure, to the extent practicable, that all Department of De-
fense facilities have unclassified workspaces for employees who
have applied for, but have not yet received, a security clearance.
Section 244—Pilot Program on the Use of Electronic Portfolios to
Evaluate Applicants for Certain Technical Positions
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out
a pilot program to evaluate applicants for technical positions with-
in the Department of Defense, in part, on electronic portfolios of
the applicant’s work.
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Section 245—Self-Directed Training in Artificial Intelligence
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to provide a
list of approved online courses relating to artificial intelligence that
may be taken by employees and military members on a voluntary
basis outside work hours not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act. The section would also require the Sec-
retary to develop a system to reward those who complete the
courses.
Section 246—Part-Time and Term Employment of University Pro-
fessors and Students in the Defense Science and Technology En-
terprise
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a
program under which qualified professors and students may be em-
ployed on a part-time or term basis in an organization of the De-
fense science and technology enterprise for the purpose of con-
ducting a research project. This section would require the Secretary
to submit to the congressional defense committees not later than
30 days after the completion of each of the first 3 years of the pro-
gram a report on the status of the program.
Section 247—Microelectronics and National Security
This section would amend section 231 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328) di-
recting a strategy for assured access to trusted microelectronics by
extending the report deadline to December 30, 2020, and adding
new requirements to the strategy and implementation pan.
This section would also establish an Advisory Panel on Microelec-
tronics Leadership and Competitiveness to develop a national strat-
egy to accelerate the development and deployment of state-of-the-
art microelectronics and ensure that the United States is a global
leader in the field. This section would direct the Secretary of De-
fense and the Assistant to the President for National Security Af-
fairs to provide briefings to the congressional defense committees
within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act on the
progress of the Secretary in developing the strategy and implemen-
tation plan required, and the progress of the Advisory Panel in de-
veloping its strategy, respectively.
Section 248—Acquisition of Ethically and Responsibly Developed
Artificial Intelligence Technology
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense, acting
through the Board of Directors of the Joint Artificial Intelligence
Center, to conduct an assessment to determine whether the De-
partment of Defense has the ability to ensure that any artificial in-
telligence technology acquired by the Department is ethically and
responsibly developed.
Section 249—Enhancement of Public-Private Talent Exchange
Programs in the Department of Defense
This section would amend the Public-Private Talent Exchange
agreement requirements of section 1599g of title 10, United States
Code, and would direct the Secretary of Defense to take steps to
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ensure that the authority for the Department of Defense to operate
a public-private talent exchange program pursuant to section 1599g
of title 10, United States Code, is used to exchange personnel with
private sector entities working on artificial intelligence applica-
tions. The section would direct the Secretary to provide a briefing
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House
of Representatives not later than 180 days after the date of the en-
actment of this Act, and annually thereafter, on the efforts under-
taken to expand existing public-private exchange programs of the
Department of Defense.
SUBTITLE D—SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
Section 251—Short Title
This section would establish the title of this subtitle as the Sus-
tainable Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2020.
Section 252—Findings
This section would describe the findings of the Act.
Section 253—National Coordinating Entity for Sustainable
Chemistry
This section would direct the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy to convene an inter-agency entity under the Na-
tional Science and Technology Council not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act to coordinate Federal pro-
grams and activities in support of sustainable chemistry.
Section 254—Strategic Plan for Sustainable Chemistry
This section would direct the interagency entity to develop a
strategic plan in support of sustainable chemistry, and would direct
the entity to submit a report to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Sen-
ate, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Appro-
priations of the House of Representatives, and to the Government
Accountability Office not later than 2 years after enactment and
every 3 years thereafter assessing Federal investments in sustain-
able chemistry.
Section 255—Agency Activities in Support of Sustainable
Chemistry
This section would direct participating agencies to carry out ac-
tivities in support of sustainable chemistry, as appropriate to the
specific mission and program of each agency.
Section 256—Partnerships in Sustainable Chemistry
This section would authorize participating agencies to facilitate
and support the creation of partnerships that must include one pri-
vate sector organization to aid in sustainable chemistry research,
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development, demonstration, technology transfer, education, and
job training.
Section 257—Prioritization
This section would direct the interagency entity to focus on ac-
tivities that achieve the goals outlined in the Act.
Section 258—Rule of Construction
This section would direct that nothing in this Act shall be con-
strued to alter or amend any State law or action with regard to
sustainable chemistry or green chemistry, as defined by the State.
Section 259—Major Multi-User Research Facility Project
This section would amend chapter 16 of title 42, United States
Code, to update the definition of the term ‘‘Major multi-user re-
search facility project.’’
SUBTITLE E—PLANS, REPORTS, AND OTHER MATTERS
Section 261—Modification to Annual Report of the Director of
Operational Test and Evaluation
This section would amend section 139(h)(2) of title 10, United
States Code, by removing the sunset date for the annual report
submitted by the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation. This
section does not change or alter any authorities of the Director of
Operational Test and Evaluation.
Section 262—Repeal of Quarterly Updates on the Optionally
Manned Fighting Vehicle Program
This section would repeal section 261 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92). The
committee notes that the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle
(OMFV) Program is delayed and the Army’s original solicitation
has been cancelled making quarterly updates on the program un-
necessary.
The committee appreciates the Army’s efforts over the last 20
years and current commitment to develop a next generation combat
vehicle to replace the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle in ar-
mored formations today. Although the committee shares the Army’s
disappointment with the recent cancellation of the solicitation for
the OMFV, the committee is nonetheless encouraged that the Army
appears better positioned to take a thoughtful, measured, and real-
istic approach to development of next generation armored fighting
vehicle technology. This is evident in the Army’s efforts at this time
to learn up-front from industry what new technologies could make
a next generation combat vehicle significantly more capable than
the M2 Bradley, and at the same time, achievable and affordable.
In this regard, the committee understands the Army’s new devel-
opment concept includes three or more phases, of which the first
is solicitation of digital engineering designs from up to five com-
mercial vendors for production design review by a source selection
evaluation board, followed by a down-select to three vendors for an
engineering and manufacturing development, critical design re-
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view, and production prototyping phase, and finally down-select to
two offerors or possibly a single awardee for low-rate initial produc-
tion. The committee is interested to see if this process, while taking
somewhat longer, will attract the widest competitive field of
offerors with the widest technological diversity, and at the same
time achieve the benefits of such competition including enhanced
technology, lower cost, and potentially an expanded armored vehi-
cle industrial capacity.
Although this section would repeal the requirement for a quar-
terly update on the OMFV program, the committee expects that the
Secretary of the Army or designee will, upon request, provide the
committee with briefings that address the elements of the update
as originally enacted in section 261 of Public Law 116–92.
Section 263—Independent Evaluation of Personal Protective and
Diagnostic Testing Equipment
This section would direct the Director of Operational Test and
Evaluation to independently evaluate any processes used to test
the effectiveness of covered personal protective and diagnostic test-
ing equipment and the results of such tests. This section would re-
quire the Director to submit to the congressional defense commit-
tees a report not later than 30 days after the completion of each
evaluation on the results of the evaluation.
Section 264—Reports on F–35 Physiological Episodes and
Mitigation Efforts
This section would require the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment to conduct a root cause analysis study
of all physiological episodes (PEs) that have been reported by F–
35 pilots as of the date of the enactment of this Act, and to provide
a report to the congressional defense committees not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act. The report would
describe:
(1) all reported instances of F–35 PEs;
(2) all findings and recommendations of the root cause analysis
study; and
(3) resources required to resolve issues contributing to F–35 PEs.
Finally, this section would require the Under Secretary to de-
scribe in the annual report required by section 224(d) of the Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law
114–328) what funding and corrective actions are being imple-
mented to mitigate F–35 PEs.
Section 265—Study on Mechanisms for Attracting and Retaining
High Quality Talent in the National Security Innovation Base
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct a
study to determine the feasibility of establishing a program to at-
tract and retain covered individuals for employment in the national
security innovation base. This section would require the Secretary
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than February 1, 2021, on the results of the study.
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TITLE III—OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ISSUES
Application of Geological Survey Information Related to Red Hill
Bulk Fuel Storage Facility
The committee notes that since the January 2014 fuel release
from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii, there have
been significant concerns about the impact of fuel releases on
drinking water quality. The committee further notes that the Red
Hill Administrative Order on Consent process as administered by
the Environmental Protection Agency and Hawaii Department of
Health through a negotiated agreement with the Department of the
Navy and Defense Logistics Agency is the primary mechanism
through which environmental investigation and remediation and
tank infrastructure improvements are being managed. The com-
mittee understands the considerable work that has been done by
the Red Hill Groundwater Modeling Workgroup, made up of State
and Federal stakeholders and subject-matter experts, to improve
understanding of the fuel release’s impact on the aquifer and the
manner in which fuel is transported through the basalt layer. Ac-
cordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by Jan-
uary 15, 2021, summarizing the work to date on the geological and
hydrological mechanisms that impact how a release of fuel from the
Red Hill facility would impact the drinking water supply. The brief-
ing shall also include any areas requiring further study and the
Navy’s plan to ensure subsequent studies fill these knowledge gaps.
Aviation Ground Support Equipment
The committee is concerned that existing Air Force Aviation
Ground Support Equipment may be inefficient, expensive to oper-
ate, and requires frequent repairs. The committee is aware of alter-
natives, such as Electrical Ground Power Units, that utilize bat-
teries to power an electronics package and can be integrated onto
a self-propelled cart, eliminating the emission of greenhouse gasses
and providing nearly silent operation. These technologies may in-
crease overall system efficiency, provide flexible power solutions,
reduce the level of required maintenance, and decrease the total
ownership costs of the units to the Air Force. Therefore, the com-
mittee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services, not later than Decem-
ber 31, 2020, on the readiness of current Air Force Aviation
Ground Support Equipment and the feasibility of utilizing alter-
natives to current Air Force Aviation Ground Support Equipment.
At a minimum, the report shall address the following elements:
(1) the readiness status of current Air Force Aviation Ground
Support Equipment;
(2) the overall operations, maintenance, and sustainment costs of
current Air Force Aviation Ground Support Equipment;
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(3) an assessment of environmental impact of current Air Force
Aviation Ground Support Equipment to include noise and air pollu-
tion;
(4) a review of alternate sources of Air Force Aviation Ground
Support Equipment to provide flight-line power to Air Force air-
craft and an overview of any Air Force plans to pursue such alter-
natives; and
(5) an assessment of total lifecycle cost savings of replacing cur-
rent diesel-powered flight-line Air Force Aviation Ground Support
Equipment with alternate solutions.
Biomass Support of Installation Energy Resiliency
The committee notes that biomass is an attractive option for the
production of secure, renewable electricity. Biomass has the at-
tribute of providing reliable electricity independent of atmospheric
variability. The committee believes that the energy security and re-
siliency provided by an on-post biomass facility has value and
should serve as a model for other military installations located in
parts of the country having a ready supply of biomass material.
The committee further believes that the Secretary of Defense
should place a monetary value on the value of energy security and
include biomass as one of the alternatives when studying energy
resiliency on specific installations. Therefore, the committee directs
the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
February 1, 2021, as to military installations where biomass will
be considered during analysis of alternatives for achieving addi-
tional installation energy resiliency.
Defense Energy Resilience Authorities and Programs
The committee commends the Department of Defense for making
energy resilience the central tenet of its energy program. The com-
mittee recognizes that the Department has a variety of policies,
programs, statutory authorities, and tools to implement energy re-
silience and maintain critical missions and readiness. The com-
mittee applauds the efforts of the Department of Defense to
strengthen the resilience of energy and utility systems, and to inte-
grate different contracting authorities and sources of funding to de-
ploy energy resilience technologies and projects. In particular, the
committee commends the Environmental Security Technology Cer-
tification Program (ESTCP) for sponsoring the Military Energy Re-
silience Catalyst (MERC) program to accelerate the development of
military energy resilience professionals, disseminate key best prac-
tices and lessons learned, and transition successful energy tech-
nologies across the Department of Defense enterprise.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a briefing to the committee no later than October 1, 2020,
on initiatives that integrate existing utility and energy authorities
to support installation resilience projects to upgrade infrastructure,
deploy emerging technologies, and strengthen mission assurance.
This briefing shall also include potential opportunities to better le-
verage existing authorities, and improve information sharing by in-
stallation managers and contracting officers.
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Execution of the Military Munitions Response Program
The committee is concerned about the chronic under-execution of
the Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP). The committee
notes that beginning in 2016, after the Environmental Protection
Agency published Lifetime Health Advisories (LHA) for per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the Department of Defense has
used the MMRP as a bill-payer for environmental response to
PFAS. The committee further notes that while this was an appro-
priate response to the initial PFAS crisis, there has been adequate
time to adjust environmental remediation budget requests to en-
sure that both MMRP and PFAS response are adequately funded,
especially given congressional adds for both PFAS and MMRP. Ac-
cordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by March 1,
2021, that includes, at a minimum, a plan to increase execution of
the MMRP program and a funding plan for addressing both PFAS
remediation and MMRP across the Future Years Defense Program.
Expanding the Scope of and Partners for DOD PFAS Research and
Development
The Committee recognizes the initial investment the Strategic
Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and
the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program
(ESTCP) have made in research and development to identify an al-
ternative to AFFF and safe clean-up and disposal mechanisms for
PFAS contaminating groundwater and drinking water. SERDP and
ESTCP investments have not yet yielded the results they are seek-
ing. The Committee supports the authorization of additional fund-
ing to both of these programs. As DoD works to identify an alter-
native to AFFF, safe and effective clean-up and disposal mecha-
nisms for PFAS chemicals, and to better understand how to miti-
gate the health and environmental impacts of PFAS contamination,
the Committee directs the Office of the Assistant Secretary of De-
fense for Sustainment, through ESTCP, SERDP and other relevant
programs, to report to the committee by December 1, 2020, on ef-
forts or plans to solicit additional academic partners for PFAS re-
search and development challenges, particularly those with institu-
tional focus and expertise on the health and environmental hazards
related to PFAS chemicals.
Federal-State Partnerships and the Readiness Environmental
Protection Integration Program
The committee commends the military departments for their ex-
tensive use of the Readiness Environmental Protection Integration
Program as a tool for limiting encroachment and land-use conflicts,
while also promoting key land conservation and environmental res-
toration goals. The committee encourages the military departments
to leverage Federal-State partnerships to collaboratively employ
best management practices and to enhance resilience and conserve
culturally and ecologically important landscapes and watersheds
for the benefit of surrounding military communities and local
economies.
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Implementation of Operational Energy Cost Savings
The committee notes that considerable operational energy cost
savings can be achieved through changes in service member behav-
ior. The committee further notes that these changes can be hard
to achieve due to long-standing practices and habits. In the Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law
116–92), the committee sought to incentivize these changes in be-
havior through the amendment of section 2912 of title 10, United
States Code, allowing one-half of any operational energy cost sav-
ings to be used by the commander of the installation at which
these savings were achieved. Therefore, the committee directs the
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
December 1, 2020, regarding the implementation of this amend-
ment by the military departments. At a minimum, the briefing
should include how each military department has informed instal-
lation commanders and their tenants about this authority, and
what guidance has been provided to aid implementation.
Increased Resiliency and Lethality through Operational Energy
Investment
The committee commends the Department of Defense and the
military departments for their work to date on initiatives that in-
crease lethality and resiliency through the reduction of the Depart-
ment’s dependence on fossil fuels. Noting that over 70 percent of
the casualties in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars resulted from at-
tacks on fuel and resupply convoys, the committee notes that a fail-
ure to adequately address this issue will be paid in service member
lives and a reduced ability to challenge our adversaries. The com-
mittee remains concerned that, while recent joint exercises have
begun to bring the problem of overreliance on fossil fuels into focus,
the military services have largely failed to address these issues by
incorporating technologies that reduce fossil fuel use into their ex-
isting equipment inventories. In addition, the committee is con-
cerned that the military departments are not including these tech-
nologies as they invest in future platforms. Accordingly, the com-
mittee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the
House Committee on Armed Services by August 1, 2021, on how it
will increase lethality and reduce casualties by reducing its de-
pendence on fossil fuels. The report shall include at a minimum a
plan for the following:
(1) integrating Department of Defense and military department
operational energy personnel into planning, posture, and program-
ming entities to ensure fuel consumption, fuel distribution, and lo-
gistics are considered across the Department;
(2) how the military departments are prioritizing reductions in
fuel consumption by current platforms during planned upgrades
and depot maintenance;
(3) options for reducing the Department’s consumption of fossil
fuels by not less than 10 percent in 10 years and 30 percent in 25
years;
(4) options for reducing the number of resupply convoys and oil-
ers required in contested environments; and
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(5) leveraging existing technologies and the Operational Energy
Capability Improvement Fund to demonstrate capabilities to
achieve the aforementioned goals.
Report on Department of Defense Fuel Contracting
The committee is interested in the Department of Defense’s use
of lowest price technically acceptable source selection criteria for
fuel purchases. The committee recognizes that contingency oper-
ations present unique challenges and require specialized skills.
Therefore, the committee directs the Department of Defense In-
spector General to brief the House Committee on Armed Services
by March 1, 2021 on the following:
(1) A list of all solicitations and awards greater than $250,000 for
fuel in all areas of contingency operations issued since January 1,
2016, including method of source selection, authorities used, and
the estimated value of the awarded contracts;
(2) An assessment of whether the awardees successfully fulfilled
the requirements of such contract and corrective actions taken by
the Defense Logistics Agency if the contracts were not successfully
fulfilled; and
(3) An assessment of whether the Defense Logistics Agency’s has
an adequate system in place to conduct due diligence to ensure its
fuel contractors and subcontractors are meeting contractual obliga-
tions and abide by required anticorruption practices.
Water and Sewage Resiliency Gaps at Military Installations
The committee commends the Department of Defense for its ef-
forts in identifying and addressing energy resiliency gaps at its
military installations. The committee notes that water and sewage
systems share many of the same characteristics as electrical utili-
ties. The committee further notes that there may be opportunities
for partnerships that facilitate system improvements for both cost
avoidance and to address resiliency gaps that degrade readiness.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense
for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services by February 1, 2021, on water and
sewage resiliency at military installations. The report shall include
at a minimum the following:
(1) the degree to which the Department has assessed resiliency
of these systems at military installations;
(2) a plan for phasing in these assessments at military installa-
tions;
(3) opportunities for public-private partnerships to address any
resiliency gaps; and
(4) an assessment of barriers to addressing water and sewage re-
siliency gaps in both statute and the Department’s instructions and
policies.
LOGISTICS AND SUSTAINMENT ISSUES
Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training and T–7A Redhawk
Transition Plan
The committee understands that the Air Force plans to eventu-
ally transition all undergraduate pilot training from the T–38C to
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the T–7A at five locations: Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi;
Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; Randolph Air Force Base, Texas;
Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; and Vance Air Force Base, Okla-
homa. The committee is concerned about potential impacts this
transition may have on the Air Force’s undergraduate pilot train-
ing pipeline, which could further exacerbate its pilot shortage.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services, not
later than December 1, 2020, on the plan to transition under-
graduate pilot training from the T–38C to the T–7A. At minimum,
the briefing shall include the following elements:
(1) a schedule for the delivery of T–7A aircraft and retirement of
T–38C aircraft by location;
(2) the plan and schedule for the stand-up of T–7A instructor
pilot cadre;
(3) the plan and schedule for the stand-up of simulators, simu-
lator operators, and maintenance personnel;
(4) the plan and schedule for transitioning to the new training
syllabus; and
(5) an assessment of Air Force’s ability to execute the transition
plan without creating impacts in the undergraduate pilot training
pipeline.
Army Combat Aviation Sustainment
The committee notes that Army combat aviation formations are
in constant high demand. In addition, the Army’s helicopter fleet
is aging, can be challenging to sustain, and is expensive to operate.
Over the next decade, the Army plans to modernize its current hel-
icopter fleet with new engines and, beginning in 2030, plans to
field new helicopters to replace legacy platforms. The committee is
concerned that the existing UH–60 and AH–64 helicopter fleets
face numerous sustainment challenges as the Army continues fly-
ing these legacy systems until fielding new helicopters. Therefore,
the committee directs the Comptroller General of the United States
to review the sustainment plans for the Army’s current helicopter
fleet. The review should address the following elements:
(1) to what extent the Army has equipped its combat aviation
formations with fully mission capable aircraft to meet training re-
quirements and warfighting demands over the past 5 years;
(2) to what extent the Army has identified and addressed chal-
lenges in sustaining its helicopter fleet at the depot- and unit-level
over the past 5 years;
(3) to what extent the material condition of helicopters in Army
combat aviation formations inhibit the ability to meet monthly
flight hour standards for Army aviators;
(4) the Army’s plans to sustain its helicopter fleet in order to
meet expected demands for combat aviation formations over the
next 5 years; and (5) any other matter the Comptroller General de-
termines appropriate.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2021, on the Comptroller General’s preliminary
findings and present final results in a format and timeframe
agreed to at the time of the briefing.
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Department of Defense Warehouse Space Management
The committee is aware that in 2017, the Government Account-
ability Office (GAO–17–449) found that opportunities exist to re-
duce the Department of Defense’s warehousing and distribution
costs by streamlining the infrastructure footprint of the current
network. As a result of this study, the Office of the Secretary of De-
fense, as part of the Defense Reform Initiative, established the
Non-Tactical Warehouse Initiative to evaluate those opportunities
and provide recommendations. The resulting study found that the
Department of Defense maintains excess warehouse network capac-
ity and redundant commercial warehouses. Additionally, the study
found warehouse utilization rates well below industry averages and
that multiple Department of Defense and military department
process owners have poor visibility of billions of dollars in inven-
tory as a result of inconsistent reporting and incomplete data.
Therefore, the committee directs that not later than March 1,
2021, the Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment, in co-
ordination with the military departments and Defense Logistics
Agency, shall submit a report to the congressional defense commit-
tees discussing its plan to create increased shared awareness of
warehouse space across the Department of Defense, and how it
plans to institute policies, procedures, and metrics that will in-
crease warehouse utilization rates across the military departments.
Additionally, the report should include a discussion of technologies
that will provide-real-time information to warehouse users and op-
erators, improve global inventory visibility, and supply chain plan-
ning.
Depot Carryover
Department of Defense regulations describe the process for calcu-
lating carryover and allowable carryover at the military depots at
the end of a fiscal year. These regulations require that carryover
be calculated in a way that allows certain workload to be exempt-
ed. Even after exemptions, the Army has routinely exceeded allow-
able carryover ceilings, resulting in decrements to appropriations.
While the committee believes there should be limits on the amount
of carryover workload held by a depot, the committee is concerned
that the current calculation of allowable carryover has indirectly
affected military readiness and the ability of the depots to sustain
core workload as required by section 2464 of title 10, United States
Code.
In 2019, the Comptroller General of the United States reviewed
three options that the Department of Defense proposed for calcu-
lating and determining allowable carryover and concluded that
none fully met all the key attributes required for providing quality
information to decision makers. The Comptroller General rec-
ommended that the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and
Sustainment develop and adopt a depot carryover metric for use by
all the military departments that provides reliable, complete, con-
sistent, and appropriate information. In commenting on the Comp-
troller General’s report, the Department of Defense stated that it
would promulgate regulations implementing the Government Ac-
countability Office’s recommendation and design a new budget ex-
hibit to serve as a plan to establish workload carryover upper and
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lower operating ranges to ensure uninterrupted workload necessary
to optimize production efficiency.
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Acqui-
sition and Sustainment, in coordination with the Under Secretary
of Defense (Comptroller), to provide a briefing to the House Com-
mittee on Armed Services not later than August 30, 2020, on plans
to promulgate a new carryover metric to the military departments
and establish a carryover budgetary exhibit to coincide with the fis-
cal year 2022 budget estimate submission.
Domestically Sourced Corrosion Control
The impact of corrosion on the Department of Defense amounts
to nearly $20 billion per year. Unfortunately, many of the chemi-
cals typically used to treat corrosion are harmful to the environ-
ment. In addition, most phosphates are produced in China, making
the United States dependent on foreign producers to maintain vital
weapons systems and military equipment. Through advancements
in synthetic biology, cleaner alternatives exist and are in use by
the oil and gas industry. Therefore, the committee directs the Sec-
retary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services by December 1, 2020, on bio-based corrosion con-
trol systems. At a minimum, the report shall contain:
(1) historical cost data for the preceding 5 years on corrosion im-
pact to military systems;
(2) an assessment of the impact to military readiness from corro-
sion;
(3) an assessment of the effectiveness of commercially available
bio-based corrosion control solutions compared to solutions cur-
rently in use by the military departments;
(4) an assessment of the environmental impact of commercially
available bio-based corrosion control solutions compared to solu-
tions currently in use by the military departments; and
(5) a cost assessment of commercially available bio-based corro-
sion control solutions compared to solutions currently in use by the
military departments.
F–35 Sustainment
The committee recognizes the importance of the F–35 Lightning
II program to U.S. national defense and its foreign partners. The
committee is concerned that the program faces sustainment chal-
lenges in areas including repair capability, global spare parts avail-
ability and capability, mission capability, and functionality of its
Autonomic Logistics Information System. Affordability concerns
have led the services to identify a need to reduce total operation
and sustainment costs.
Given the significance of the F–35 program to the future of tac-
tical air for the military, the Department’s need to operate and de-
ploy the F–35 on a widespread basis in the coming years, the in-
volvement of international partners and foreign military sales cus-
tomers, and the importance of maintaining affordability, the com-
mittee directs the Comptroller General of the United States to re-
view the sustainment efforts related to the F–35. At minimum, the
review shall address the following elements:
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(1) assess the status of the sustainment support strategy for the
F–35, and to what extent is the program facing sustainment-re-
lated challenges;
(2) assess efforts to reduce costs and meet affordability targets
related to F–35 fleet sustainment;
(3) assess military department efforts to transition to organic re-
pair capability by standing up repair capability in their existing de-
pots;
(4) assess the effects of F–35 engine challenges on sustainment,
including engine overhauls for fielded aircraft, engine spare parts
reliability, and effects of engine production quality/timeliness on
sustainment;
(5) identify and assess issues contributing to higher than ex-
pected maintenance rates for the F–35, and options to increase
unit-level maintenance capabilities and associated cost/readiness
implications;
(6) assess the extent to which the concerns of allied partners in-
form the Department’s decision making related to F–35
sustainment; and
(7) other items the Comptroller General determines appropriate.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2021, on the Comptroller General’s preliminary
findings and to present final results in a format and timeframe
agreed to at the time of the briefing.
Navy and Air Force Fixed-Wing Aviation Field-Level Maintenance
The committee notes that a number of recent Government Ac-
countability Office reports have highlighted the military services’
challenges with completing field-level maintenance, which includes
organizational-level and intermediate-level maintenance performed
by an operational unit or at an intermediate maintenance facility.
Repairs that are not conducted at the field level must eventually
be completed at the depot level, which can result in slower depot
maintenance times, increased costs, and reduced readiness of weap-
on systems.
The ability of the depots to complete fixed-wing aviation mainte-
nance on time directly affects military readiness, as maintenance
delays reduce the amount of time during which aircraft are avail-
able for training and operations. The amount of work that the de-
pots must perform is a direct result of the condition of equipment
entering the depots. Depot officials have stated that they believe
the amount and quality of work performed by field-level maintain-
ers has decreased as organizations focus on straightforward repairs
while sending more work to the depots, which reduces the depots’
overall throughput.
Given these issues, and the critical importance fixed-wing air-
craft play in supporting readiness during both peacetime and con-
flict, the committee directs the Comptroller General of the United
States to assess the following:
(1) the extent to which the Department of Defense’s sustainment
strategy for fixed-wing aviation weapon systems has relied on the
use of field-level versus depot-level maintenance;
(2) the extent to which field-level maintenance is completed as
required;
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(3) the extent to which the tasks, skills, equipment, training, or
output of field-level maintainers has changed over the past 10
years;
(4) the extent to which the Department or service policies ensure
that field-level maintenance activities are conducted at the field
level and not at the depot level;
(5) the extent to which the Department or service policies ensure
that depot-level maintenance activities are conducted at the depot
level and not transferred back to the field level; and
(6) any other related matters the Comptroller General considers
appropriate.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services, not
later than March 1, 2021, on the Comptroller General’s preliminary
findings and present final results in a format and timeframe
agreed to at the time of the briefing.
Navy Deferred Maintenance
The committee notes that completing required maintenance is
vital for Navy aircraft carriers, ships, and submarines to reach
their expected service lives and to do so economically. Deferring
ship maintenance increases the costs and time required to complete
maintenance in the future, straining maintenance budgets and
stressing public and private shipyard capacity. In December 2019,
the Comptroller General of the United States reported that the
Navy continues to experience persistent and substantial mainte-
nance delays that reduce ship availability for training and oper-
ations, hindering warfighting readiness. Further, Navy reports
show that the service continues to defer essential maintenance on
some ship classes, which decreases the likelihood that these vessels
will reach their full service lives.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General to re-
view deferred Navy maintenance. The review should address the
following elements:
(1) the extent to which the Navy is deferring necessary depot
maintenance for aircraft carriers, surface ships, and submarines,
and what costs, if any, are associated with these deferrals;
(2) the extent to which the Navy has developed mitigation plans
to address challenges relating to deferred maintenance;
(3) the extent, if any, to which deferred maintenance increases
the risk that ships and submarines will be unable to meet their ex-
pected service lives and the potential effects this would have on fu-
ture force structure; and
(4) any other matter the Comptroller General determines appro-
priate.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services, not
later than March 1, 2021, on the Comptroller General’s preliminary
findings and present final results in a format and timeframe
agreed to at the time of the briefing.
Navy Ship Field-Level Maintenance
The committee notes that a number of recent Government Ac-
countability Office reports have found that high operational tempo,
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reductions to crew size, and organizational changes have impacted
the Navy’s ability to complete timely field-level maintenance, which
is generally performed either by a ship’s crew or at an intermediate
maintenance facility. The ability of shipyards to complete mainte-
nance on time is affected by the quality and quantity of mainte-
nance accomplished by field-level maintainers and the amount of
maintenance tasks that are deferred to the depot level. Navy offi-
cials have stated that the amount of work performed by field-level
maintainers has decreased as organizations focus on straight-
forward repairs while sending more work to the depots, reducing
their overall throughput.
The committee is concerned that the ability of ships’ crews to
perform and assist with maintenance at all levels has not been suf-
ficiently retained among enlisted personnel and that maintenance
is not being completed in a timely fashion at intermediate mainte-
nance facilities. These delays directly affect military readiness by
reducing the amount of time ships are available for training and
operations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of the
United States to review Navy ship field-level maintenance. The re-
view should address the following elements:
(1) the extent to which Navy ship maintenance is performed on
time and in full at the organizational and intermediate levels;
(2) the factors that contribute to maintenance delays and defer-
rals at the organizational and intermediate levels;
(3) the extent to which sailor training and skill proficiency is im-
pacting organizational and intermediate-level maintenance;
(4) the extent to which operational demand contributes to the
deferment of organizational and intermediate-level maintenance;
(5) the extent to which Navy mitigation plans address challenges
to the full and timely performance of organizational and inter-
mediate-level maintenance; and
(6) any other related matters the Comptroller General considers
appropriate.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2021, on the Comptroller General’s preliminary
findings and present final results in a format and timeframe
agreed to at the time of the briefing.
Pilot Program for Enhancing Ship Readiness Through Digital
Techniques
The committee supports the ongoing pilot program that the
American Bureau of Shipping and the Military Sealift Command
(MSC) have developed to enhance the readiness of MSC vessels
through a condition-based approach. This pilot program has al-
ready shown positive results in improving the availability and
readiness of MSC vessels, with potential long-term cost avoidance
in maintenance and repair of such vessels. The committee encour-
ages MSC to further expand the program to other vessels under its
control.
The committee also believes that the readiness of our nation’s
surface naval and auxiliary fleet is a critical issue that deserves en-
hanced attention. The committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to evaluate the use of a similar condition-based approach to cover
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the surface vessel fleet through a partnership with an organization
that has experience classing Navy vessels. The committee further
directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a report to the Com-
mittees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives, not later than February 1, 2021, on the steps being
taken to improve the availability and readiness of surface naval
and auxiliary vessels using a condition-based approach and com-
mercial best practices for digital methods for ship condition moni-
toring, vessel readiness, and maintenance planning.
Transparency in Food Ingredient Policies and Standards
The committee notes that in 2017, the Defense Logistics Agency
attempted to prohibit certain ingredients from being included in
food and beverages served in military food services. This prohibi-
tion was attempted without meaningful engagement with industry
stakeholders or a public comment period. The committee notes that
the Fiscal Year 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law
115–141) prohibited the Defense Logistics Agency from imple-
menting its proposal and also required the Defense Logistics Agen-
cy to seek input from a broad group of stakeholders on all future
proposed nutrition, food, or ingredient changes.
Therefore, the committee directs the Commander, Defense Logis-
tics Agency to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services, not later than December 1, 2020, on the process it will
use for proposing and enacting limitations or prohibitions on any
food or beverage ingredients. At minimum, the briefing shall:
(1) provide details regarding the governing statutes, regulations,
and policies governing ingredient prohibition determinations;
(2) provide detail regarding processes for scientific community
engagement, to include solicitation of scientifically derived rec-
ommendations, prior to making an ingredient prohibition deter-
mination; and
(3) provide details on the process and timeline for ingredient pro-
hibition determinations, highlighting key areas where industry
stakeholders are provided the opportunity to comment and make
recommendations.
United States Air Force Academy Mission Network
The committee is aware of the requirement of the U.S. Air Force
Academy to upgrade its legacy information technology (IT) infra-
structure. The committee understands that a robust and effective
campus enterprise network is vital to the academic and military
training missions of the Academy and central to its ability to de-
velop future leaders for the nation’s air and space forces. The com-
mittee also observes that, unlike other commands in the Depart-
ment of the Air Force, the Academy has unique IT requirements
requiring close collaboration with other accredited colleges, univer-
sities, research institutions, the National Collegiate Athletic Asso-
ciation (NCAA), and other public and private organizations. The
committee recognizes that the mission of the Academy includes
unique requirements not supported by existing Air Force IT enter-
prise services. However, the committee is concerned that Air Force
investment in modernizing the Academy’s legacy IT network infra-
structure has fallen short of need, resulting in project delays and
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mission impacts recently exacerbated by COVID–19 social distance
requirements. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the
Air Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services, no later than December 1, 2020, on the Air Force strategy
to complete the modernization of the Academy’s IT infrastructure
within a reasonable period of time and how it plans to provide for
its long term operation and sustainment.
READINESS ISSUES
Air Force T–38C Transition and Formation Landings
The United States Air Force has utilized the T–38 aircraft for al-
most 60 years in support of undergraduate pilot training. This air-
craft has been utilized well beyond its intended service life and is
due to be replaced by the T–7 aircraft beginning in 2023. The com-
mittee is aware of five T–38 mishaps over the last 3 years, includ-
ing a recent mishap during an attempted formation landing that
resulted in the deaths of both the student pilot and the instructor
pilot. Subsequent to this fatal mishap, Air Education Training
Command temporarily ceased conducting formation landings in the
T–38 aircraft, and ultimately removed T–38 formation landings
from the pilot training syllabus. The committee supports the deci-
sion to remove T–38 formation landings from the pilot training syl-
labus, and strongly recommends that the Air Force develops an ac-
celerated plan to transition from the T–38 to the T–7 aircraft. Ac-
cordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to
provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services, not
later than March 1, 2021, on Air Force’s plan to accelerate transi-
tion from the T–38 aircraft to the T–7 aircraft. At a minimum, the
report should include:
(1) Assessment of potential to accelerate procurement of the T–
7 aircraft, including cost and timeline;
(2) Assessment of the supporting pilot training system to absorb
additional T–7 aircraft, taking into consideration simulators, man-
power, support equipment, and pilot training syllabus development;
(3) Detailed background information on why Air Education
Training Command removed T–38 formation landings from the
pilot training syllabus, and an assessment as to whether formation
landings will be included in the T–7 pilot training syllabus.
Air Support Service Contracts
The committee notes the Department of Defense’s increased use
of air support contracts to help train service members and improve
flexibility in meeting training requirements, while potentially re-
ducing costs. Moreover, recent testimony by the Commander of
U.S. Transportation Command and the Vice Chief of Staff of the
Air Force highlights an aerial refueling tanker capacity shortfall
that is exacerbated by delays with the KC–46A tanker program.
The committee believes that aerial refueling tanker and tactical
aviation shortfalls could potentially be mitigated through the use
of contract air support services toward training missions. There-
fore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of the United
States to review the Department of Defense’s use of contract aerial
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refueling and tactical aviation services. The review should address
the following elements:
(1) assess to what extent the Air Force and other services cur-
rently utilize contract aerial refueling services for training mis-
sions; historical costs associated with contract aerial refueling serv-
ices for training as compared to costs associated with organic sup-
port; ability of industry to increase capacity for aerial refueling
services for training missions to free up organic aerial refueling ca-
pacity that would otherwise be unavailable for operational mis-
sions;
(2) assess the total tanker support required for training missions
by contract aerial refueling providers based on the Air Force’s cur-
rent assumption for the timeline of fielding a fully operational KC–
46A;
(3) assess the extent to which the military departments and U.S.
Special Operations Command utilize contracts for air support serv-
ices for adversary air and close air support, and associated costs
compared with other options for providing these services;
(4) assess the extent to which the Department of Defense evalu-
ated the use and effectiveness of air support contracts to meet es-
tablished training requirements;
(5) assess opportunities to gain greater efficiencies in the use of
contracts for air support services across the Department to achieve
training requirements; and
(6) any other matter the Comptroller General determines appro-
priate.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services, not
later than March 1, 2021, on the Comptroller General’s preliminary
findings and to submit a final report on a date agreed to at the
time of the briefing.
Army Briefing on Static-Line Parachuting Proficiency
Requirements
The United States Army maintains a robust airborne force struc-
ture resident in both the Active Army and Army National Guard.
Capable of deploying rapidly in a crisis and conducting forced entry
operations by parachute assault, these forces provide the United
States with a competitive military advantage in a dynamic national
security environment. Soldiers assigned to these units complete a
three week Basic Airborne Course at Ft. Benning, Georgia where,
in their third and final week, they conduct five successful para-
chute jumps, are awarded their basic airborne wings, and are then
qualified for assignment to airborne units. Since 1950, in order to
maintain proficiency and to qualify for Parachute Duty–Hazardous
Duty Incentive Pay, soldiers have been required to jump at a min-
imum once every three months. In 2018, the Department of De-
fense modified this requirement, enabling commanders in the grade
of Lieutenant Colonel or higher to waive one of these four annual
proficiency jumps in special circumstances to account for factors
such as deployment on extended operations where it might not be
possible to get all four jumps in, lack of jump equipment or air-
craft, or attendance of military education or training. Even with
this new authority, the vast majority of airborne soldiers are still
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required to conduct one jump every three months to maintain pro-
ficiency and to qualify for monthly jump pay.
With advances in military parachuting equipment, procedures,
and methods of training, it only seems appropriate that the Army
reevaluate its 70 year-old basic airborne proficiency standards.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to brief the
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of
Representatives no later than December 1, 2020 on Army Static-
Line Parachuting Proficiency Requirements. Elements of the brief-
ing shall include but are not limited to:
(1) How many soldiers are currently on jump status and receiv-
ing jump pay?
(2) Of this number, how many soldiers make only four jumps a
year to maintain basic proficiency?
(3) For those soldiers making more than the required four annual
proficiency jumps, what is the average of annual jumps by military
occupational specialty (MOS)?
(4) Recent statistics on the numbers and types of parachute acci-
dents and injuries based on a soldier’s military occupational spe-
cialty (MOS), unit of assignment, or overall parachute proficiency
(i.e., number of jumps or months/years on jump status).
(5) How does the Army review its basic airborne proficiency re-
quirements and when was the last time a comprehensive evalua-
tion was conducted? What were the recommendations from the last
evaluation?
(6) What are the basic airborne proficiency requirements for
Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force non-special operations service
members assigned to airborne billets?
(7) What are the advantages and disadvantages of conducting
proficiency jumps in a shorter time period other than the current
quarterly requirement?
(8) What are the cost and resource implications (including air-
craft availability and usage) if the Army adopted a shorter time-
frame for proficiency jumps or if the number of required proficiency
jumps were reduced?
(9) With the advances in simulations, virtual training environ-
ments and systems, and the promise of artificial intelligence, how
practical would it be to replace some of the required proficiency
jumps with some form of simulation or virtual training device?
(10) Are there any plans for the Army to re-evaluate the require-
ment for five airborne infantry brigade combat teams (IBCTs) and
supporting forces? How do parachute assaults fit into the Army’s
doctrine for fighting in the current strategic environment against
near-peer competitors with sophisticated, layered air-defense archi-
tectures.
(11) Operationally, how often have static-line airborne operations
been used in the last decade.
(12) Have there been any recent studies on the numbers and
types of parachute injuries based on a soldier’s military occupa-
tional specialty (MOS), unit of assignment, or overall parachute
proficiency (i.e., number of jumps or months/years on jump status)?
(13) What are the costs and injury rates of West Point and ROTC
cadets permitted to attend Airborne School? Over the last 10 years,
what is the rate of these cadets that go on to serve in airborne
units?
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(14) Are there instances where we send officers and soldiers to
airborne school who are not on orders assigning them to an air-
borne unit or position that requires airborne qualification? If so,
how many of these officers and soldiers fall into this category on
an annual basis?
Army Sustainable Readiness Model
The Sustainable Readiness Model is the Army’s force generation
concept to build and maintain readiness across the total force while
meeting global requirements. Under the Sustainable Readiness
Model, the Army’s objective is to maintain 66 percent of Active
Duty brigade combat teams and 33 percent of Reserve Component
brigade combat teams in a combat-ready status to respond to any
global contingency. The committee is concerned that training re-
quirements needed to maintain high levels of readiness for a large
portion of the Army may not be sustainable and could place an un-
necessary strain on the force. Senior Army civilian and military
leaders may share this concern and the committee is aware that
the Commander of U.S. Army Forces Command is currently con-
ducting a review of the Sustainable Readiness Model and the train-
ing requirements associated with this force generation model.
Therefore, the committee directs the Chief of Staff of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services,
not later than March 1, 2021, on changes to the Sustainable Readi-
ness Model. At a minimum, the briefing shall include the following
elements:
(1) a summary of the findings and recommendations from the
U.S. Army Forces Command review of the Sustainable Readiness
Model and training requirements;
(2) an overview of changes being made to the Sustainable Readi-
ness Model, or the training requirements associated with this force
generation model, and a timeline for the implementation of these
changes;
(3) an assessment for how these changes may impact budget, ma-
teriel, and manpower requirements; and
(4) an assessment for how these changes will affect the overall
readiness of the Army.
Briefing on Deployment of Next Generation 911 on Military
Installations
The committee recognizes the benefits of Next Generation 911
systems that allow Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to ac-
cept text messages, images, and videos, as well as voice calls. These
additional means of communicating with 911 could help dis-
patchers to more quickly understand and respond to an emergency
situation and would provide important alternatives for emergency
reporting by individuals experiencing intimate partner violence.
The committee is concerned that none of the 205 PSAPs operated
by the military services support Next Generation 911 service.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by Jan-
uary 1, 2021, on plans for updating 911 services at military instal-
lations located in the United States, including the feasibility, cost,
and benefits of implementing Next Generation 911 services.
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Department of Defense Law Enforcement Training and Standards
The committee recognizes the important role that Department of
Defense military police, civilian police, and security guards play in
maintaining the security of military installations and safety for
military and civilian personnel and their families. With the excep-
tion of service-unique requirements, the committee believes these
Department of Defense law enforcement professionals strongly ben-
efit from developing and maintaining common training courses, cer-
tification requirements, and professional standards. The committee
recognizes that Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 5525.15,
updated on June 18, 2019, established policy, assigned responsi-
bility, and provided procedures for law enforcement standards and
training, physical fitness standards, and certification for investiga-
tive analysts. The committee directs the Under Secretary of De-
fense for Intelligence to provide a briefing to the House Committee
on Armed Services, not later than March 1, 2021, on the implemen-
tation of DODI 5525.15. At minimum, the briefing shall include the
following elements:
(1) the status of the Department of Defense Peace Officer Stand-
ards and Training (POST) Commission developing and certifying
law enforcement training standards to meet proficiency require-
ments for Department of Defense law enforcement professionals;
(2) how existing military and civilian law enforcement training
courses, schools, and programs are being updated to adopt common
training standards;
(3) the status of certifying all basic level law enforcement officer
training by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation
Organization;
(4) the unique service-specific training requirements and stand-
ards that will be maintained beyond the common training stand-
ards; and
(5) an assessment of whether the consolidation of law enforce-
ment training courses, schools, and programs would benefit or de-
tract from efforts to implement DODI 5525.15.
Directed Readiness Tables and Readiness Reporting
The committee has appreciated the opportunity to work with the
Department of Defense to revise section 482 of title 10, United
States Code, to update the statutory requirements for the Readi-
ness Report to Congress. The committee notes that the Readiness
Report to Congress is one of the foundational documents that sup-
ports congressional oversight of the current state of military readi-
ness, the contributing factors to specific readiness challenges, and
the mitigations to these challenges. The committee notes that in re-
cent reports, the Department of Defense has shifted away from re-
porting readiness based on the C-ratings of major force elements
and has started measuring readiness based on the ability of the
military services to meet the force requirements of the Directed
Readiness Tables.
The committee notes that the Directed Readiness Tables serve as
a good force planning construct to manage the steady-state de-
mands of geographic combatant commanders on an annual basis.
However, the committee is concerned that readiness reporting
based on the Directed Readiness Tables does not allow for meas-
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urement of progress towards the readiness recovery goals of the
military services, does not align with how the military services
track and report readiness, and does not provide a holistic picture
of military readiness, especially in the context of preparedness to
conduct a major contingency operation. Therefore, the committee
encourages the Department of Defense to return to reporting based
on C-ratings of major force elements in the Readiness Report to
Congress required by section 482 of title 10, United States Code.
Dynamic Force Employment
The 2018 National Defense Strategy states that defeating or de-
terring long-term strategic competitors is a different challenge than
regional adversaries that were the focus of prior strategies. In
order to meet this changing environment, the strategy stated that
the Department of Defense will adopt a new concept known as Dy-
namic Force Employment, using scalable options and quick deploy-
ments rather than traditional rotational deployments to introduce
unpredictability for potential adversaries. However, the committee
notes that there is not a common framework by which all of the
services describe Dynamic Force Employment, resource Dynamic
Force Employment in budget requests, or address Dynamic Force
Employment in force generation and sustainment models. There-
fore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of the United
States to review the Dynamic Force Employment construct. The re-
view should address the following elements:
(1) to what extent Dynamic Force Employment is aligned with
the Department of Defense’s readiness rebuilding efforts;
(2) to what extent each service defines and considers Dynamic
Force Employment in force generation and sustainment models;
(3) to what extent Dynamic Force Employment is utilized in the
Global Force Management process and resources Dynamic Force
Employment in the budget request;
(4) to what extent the services and combatant commands are pre-
pared to execute Dynamic Force Employment and how this new
concept will impact readiness across the services and combatant
commands; and
(5) any other matter the Comptroller General determines appro-
priate.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services, not
later than March 1, 2021, on the Comptroller General’s preliminary
findings and present final results in a format and timeframe
agreed to at the time of the briefing.
Exercise Northern Strike
The committee notes that Northern Strike is an accredited 21-
day exercise sponsored by the National Guard Bureau. This Joint
Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise brings together nearly 7,000
participants annually from the United States and North Atlantic
Treaty Organization partner countries. In the committee report ac-
companying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2020 (H. Rept. 116–120), the committee directed the Chief of the
National Guard Bureau to provide a report and the cost of Exercise
Northern Strike and the anticipated funding programmed for the
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exercise over the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP). According
to the report provided to the committee on October 2, 2019, antici-
pated funding for future Northern Strike exercises was $20.7 mil-
lion per year over the FYDP. Furthermore, the committee notes
that the budget request for fiscal year 2021 includes funding for
Exercise Northern Strike. The committee is supportive of exercises,
such as Northern Strike, that bring together United States and
international partners to train together and build readiness and
interoperability.
High-Speed Test Track Infrastructure Requirements
The committee recognizes the importance of maintaining high-
speed test track capability to facilitate the transition from labora-
tory developmental work to operational employment. The com-
mittee notes the need for highly accurate, realistic testing environ-
ments to bring new technologies online. The committee is con-
cerned about the adequacy of existing facilities to ensure continued
access to this type of testing. Accordingly, the committee directs
the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the House Com-
mittee on Armed Services by February 1, 2021, on the adequacy of
its high-speed test track infrastructure both for current require-
ments and for future testing of next-generation systems. At a min-
imum the report shall survey current high-speed test track infra-
structure and provide an overview of necessary infrastructure and
technology investments to ensure viability into the future.
Marine Corps Aviation Readiness and Sustainment
The committee notes the age of several rotary wing airframes in
the Marine Corps fleet, which are experiencing long-term downtime
and readiness issues. The committee encourages the Marine Corps
to embark upon additional reset programs, as necessary, to revi-
talize and refresh the fleet. The committee notes the success of
similar resets, including the ongoing CH–53 reset and resets con-
ducted by the U.S. Army, which have improved reliability and
readiness. The committee directs the Commandant of the United
States Marine Corps to brief the committee, not later than Sep-
tember 30, 2020, on the status of the Marine Corps rotary wing
fleet and all planned reset programs for the fleet. In particular, the
briefing shall address:
(1) the state of the UH–1 Iroquois and AH–1 Cobra fleets;
(2) funding needs for reset activities;
(3) strategies to maintain reset throughput in a timely manner;
and
(4) an acquisition strategy to maintain cost, schedule, and per-
formance in the reset program.
Personnel Parachute and Cargo Inventory Management
The Committee directs the Secretary of the Army to submit a re-
port to the House Armed Services Committee by December 1, 2020
assessing the system used by U.S. Army Parachute Riggers to
record their activities with respect to the use, inspection, inventory,
maintenance, and repair of personnel parachutes, cargo parachutes
and other airdrop equipment throughout a system’s life-cycle. The
report shall address the following elements:
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(1) The current record keeping, tracking, reporting and informa-
tion retrieval system employed by Parachute Riggers with regard
to personnel parachutes and airdrop equipment;
(2) An assessment of the adequacy of the tracking system and a
history of efforts to update the tracking system;
(3) A market assessment of automated programs currently avail-
able for parachute system tracking by Parachute Riggers;
(4) A statement of the Army’s current plans, if any, to upgrade
the tracking system used by Parachute Riggers;
(5) A schedule associated with the activities set forth in (4).
Readiness of Firefighting Infrastructure and Equipment
The committee is concerned that the firefighting infrastructure of
the military departments is aging, in poor condition, and may not
be properly sized or configured to support firefighting personnel
and equipment. To help address this issue, the John S. McCain Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law
115–232) contained a provision authorizing the Secretaries of the
military departments to carry out military construction projects, to
include the construction of new fire stations, to enhance force pro-
tection and safety on military installations. With only three fire
stations being constructed through this authority, and the Future
Years Defense Program (FYDP) submitted with the budget request
only including funding for the construction of four additional fire
stations, the committee is concerned that the military departments
continue to assume risk in this area. In addition to the age, condi-
tion, and configuration of firefighting infrastructure, the committee
is concerned that the condition and readiness of firefighting vehi-
cles and equipment may also adversely impact fire, crash, and res-
cue operations at military installations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretaries of the military
departments to each submit a report to the House Committee on
Armed Services, not later than March 1, 2021, regarding the condi-
tion, capacity, and readiness of their firefighting infrastructure, ve-
hicles, and equipment. At minimum, the report shall include the
following elements:
(1) an assessment of the current condition, capacity, and configu-
ration of firefighting infrastructure, vehicles, and equipment across
the enterprise;
(2) an assessment of the risk to firefighting operations and readi-
ness due to the current state of firefighting infrastructure, vehicles,
and equipment across the enterprise;
(3) an overview of planned investments across the FYDP to miti-
gate identified issues and risks associated with firefighting infra-
structure, vehicles, and equipment; and
(4) how the required phase-out by 2024 of firefighting foam con-
taining per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances is impacting the invest-
ment strategy, particularly with respect to firefighting vehicles.
Report on the Air Force’s Use of Executive Decision Model
Analytics
The committee supports the Air Force Education and Training
Command’s (AETC) use of the Executive Decision Model (EDM) in
F–16 Formal Training Units (FTU) for predictive analytics to
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achieve improvements in aircrew training production, aircraft read-
iness, and energy conservation. The committee believes EDM has
provided important advantages to help address AETC production
challenges and the USAF pilot shortage. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of the Air Force provide a briefing to the
House Armed Services Committee by January 31, 2021 on the Air
Force’s strategy to expand EDM predictive analytics for use in
other USAF Mission Design Series aircraft to include the F–35.
Surface Navy Seamanship and Skills Assessment
The committee recognizes that the Navy has made some signifi-
cant improvements to the training curriculum for surface warfare
officers. However, the committee continues to have concerns that
enlisted training has not seen the same emphasis. In an effort to
fully understand the impact of recent changes to officer surface
warfare training and the current state of enlisted training, the
committee believes a holistic assessment should be conducted. The
goal of the assessment would be to conduct a top-to-bottom review
of how the surface Navy qualifies its topside watchstanders in-
volved in seamanship and navigation. The assessment should in-
clude Personal Qualification Standards, Watch Team Replacement
Plans methods of simulator training at various officer and enlisted
milestones, as well as at-sea assessments evaluating all Mobility
Navigation/Seamanship evolutions as outlined in the current sur-
face force training and readiness manual with attention to special
evolutions while restricted maneuvering doctrine is in effect. Of
particular interest is an objective assessment of how we qualify/re-
qualify officers of the deck underway, as well as the master
shiphandling skills expected of commanding officers and executive
officers at sea. The goal of this study is to obtain an accurate, ob-
jective outside assessment of the status of seamanship skills in the
surface Navy.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to
contract with a federally funded research and development center
to provide a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than February 1, 2022, on a top-down assessment of Navy
surface warfare training. The assessment should review both offi-
cer and enlisted training.
OTHER MATTERS
Civilian Participation in War Games
The committee notes the important role that war games play in
testing concepts, identifying capability gaps, and informing stra-
tegic and tactical decisions for contingency operations and other
scenarios. War games help inform senior leadership of the Depart-
ment of Defense on investment requirements and policy decisions
related to the national security of the United States. However, the
committee is concerned that war games organized by the Joint
Staff, combatant commands, and military departments do not ade-
quately include senior Department of Defense civilian leadership or
representatives from other departments and agencies of the Fed-
eral Government that may influence policies or actions in the war
game. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
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provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services, not
later than March 1, 2021, on the involvement of relevant depart-
ments and agencies of the Federal Government. At minimum, the
briefing shall address:
(1) a list of formal war games conducted by the Joint Staff, com-
batant commands, and military departments in calendar year 2020;
(2) a list of senior Department of Defense civilians and represent-
atives from other departments and agencies of the Federal Govern-
ment that participated in each formal war game conducted in cal-
endar year 2020; and
(3) plans for inclusion of senior Department of Defense civilians
and representatives from other departments and agencies of the
Federal Government in formal war games planned for fiscal year
2021.
Community Integration Programs
The committee encourages the military departments to create
and maintain strong community outreach programs at military in-
stallations to ensure installations and ranges remain good neigh-
bors through strong relationships. The committee notes that where
the installation takes a proactive, collaborative approach to inform-
ing the community about its programs and addresses local stake-
holder concerns in a timely fashion, positive outcomes that pre-
serve the installation’s ability to carry out its missions are more
likely. The committee further notes that the more complex the
issues, the more early, active engagement is critical to ensuring a
positive outcome and avoiding negative readiness impacts. As such,
the committee encourages the Department of Defense to make
every effort to identify and share best practices such as the Hon-
orary Commanders Program across service lines. These programs
promote community involvement with their military installation
neighbors and promote effective consultation and collaboration be-
tween the installation and the surrounding community.
Counter Drone Center of Excellence
The Committee notes that the threat posed by small drones to
our warfighters and civilian population has grown exponentially
over the past several years. Current requirements across the mili-
tary services demonstrate a need for comprehensive counter UAS
capabilities. Concurrently, the nation faces a shortage of engineer-
ing graduates with the skills, clearances and education necessary
in these specialized fields. Each military service is pursuing
counter UAS research, development, test and engineering activities
that are independent of each other creating a need to coordinate ef-
forts across industry, academia and government agencies.
The Committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Re-
search and Engineering to provide a briefing to the House Com-
mittee on Armed Services not later than October 1, 2020 on the ad-
visability and feasibility of establishing a Counter Drone Center of
Excellence. At minimum, the briefing shall include information on
the degree to which the military services are coordinating efforts
to rapidly develop and test counter drone capabilities and the abil-
ity of the military services to attract a skilled, cleared and trained
workforce to develop and test this technology. The briefing shall
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also include an evaluation of whether a Counter Drone Center of
Excellence would enable better coordination of effort and more effi-
cient use of resources across the services to develop, test and field
counter drone technology.
Military Working Dogs
The committee recognizes that the Department of Defense Mili-
tary Working Dog programs, carried out by the Air Force as execu-
tive agent, are in need of a dedicated line of accounting and there-
fore supports Department of Defense efforts to establish one. A
dedicated line of accounting will more accurately capture the facil-
ity and resource requirements necessary to successfully and effi-
ciently provide military working dogs to all services.
Mishap Reporting and Data Analysis
The committee notes that the Government Accountability Office
(GAO) has identified areas for improvement and made rec-
ommendations regarding the Department of Defense’s approach for
collecting, reporting, and analyzing tactical combat vehicle mishap
data. The GAO reported that the mishap data collected by the mili-
tary departments’ safety centers is not standardized, which inhibits
the Department from conducting a department-wide analysis of
mishap trends. The GAO also reported that the military depart-
ments have conducted limited data analysis of the factors that con-
tribute to mishaps, due to issues such as incomplete mishap inves-
tigation data, inadequate mishap databases, and limited personnel
to examine the mishap data more completely. Further, each of the
military departments is responsible for the notification, investiga-
tion, and reporting of mishaps. The Office of the Secretary of De-
fense (OSD) is responsible for collecting and analyzing mishap data
from the safety centers, and providing the Secretary of Defense and
other Department of Defense leaders with information on risks,
recommendations for mitigation strategies, and lessons learned.
However, GAO has reported that the military departments’ safety
centers are not reporting mishap causal factors as required.
Given concerns about the recent instances of training mishaps
involving both military aircraft and tactical ground vehicles, the
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to
the House Committee on Armed Services, not later than December
1, 2020, that includes the following elements:
(1) a detailed description of OSD and military department re-
sponsibilities for collecting and analyzing mishap data, including
responsibilities for aircraft and tactical vehicle mishap data;
(2) the steps taken to assess whether the data elements collected
during mishap investigations are sufficient for conducting analyses
to identify mishap trends;
(3) the actions taken to ensure standardized data is collected dur-
ing the investigations and reported within the Department; and
(4) other steps taken or planned to improve the accuracy and
completeness of mishap record-keeping and analysis of any contrib-
uting factors, to include any actions taken to address GAO’s prior
recommendations.
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Navy Museum and Historical Exchanges
The committee notes the authority granted to the Department of
Defense to conduct historical exchanges under section 2572 of title
10, United States Code. The committee also recognizes that the
Secretary of the Navy promulgated the latest set of museum ex-
change guidelines through Secretary of the Navy Instruction
5755.2B on April 1, 2019. The committee believes proper and effec-
tive utilization of this authority can be a tremendous benefit to the
Navy’s museum system. Furthermore, it gives the American public
an opportunity to honor the men and women who sacrificed to pro-
tect our freedom. Additionally, the committee recognizes the suc-
cessful private sector effort to recover, restore, and present arti-
facts under section 2572 of title 10, United States Code, particu-
larly aircraft, to the American public.
The committee is concerned about the length of time required by
the Naval Heritage and History Command to consider historical ex-
change proposals and that these delays disincentivize potential pri-
vate sector partners. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary
of the Navy to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services, not later than September 30, 2020, to discuss the
issue of historical exchanges under section 2572 of title 10, United
States Code. At minimum, the briefing shall address the following:
(1) an overview of the approval and oversight process for private
sector historical exchange proposals;
(2) the number of exchanges approved by Navy during the last
5 fiscal years, the number currently under consideration, metrics
for the timeliness of processing requests, and the average time
from submission to adjudication for the data elements above;
(3) the Secretary’s plan to oversee implementation of the guide-
lines in Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5755.2B as they relate
to the authority granted under section 2572 of title 10, United
States Code;
(4) the Navy’s manpower plan to review and approve historical
exchange proposals;
(5) an assessment of the feasibility of providing a public portal
for submission of historical exchange proposals;
(6) an assessment of the feasibility of creating a publicly acces-
sible list of available Navy inventory eligible for the historical ex-
change program; and
(7) an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of returning
the responsibility for historical exchanges to Naval Air Systems
Command.
United States Coast Guard Defense Readiness Resource Allocation
The committee notes that the United States Coast Guard is not
reimbursed by the Department of Defense for its defense readiness
mission activities, and that its annual appropriation for non-emer-
gency defense-related activities has not changed since 2001. Given
the importance of the Coast Guard to defense operations and global
combatant command priorities, the committee notes the importance
of understanding the Coast Guard’s expenditures to support De-
partment of Defense activities. Therefore, the committee directs the
Comptroller General of the United States to review the allocation
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of resources by the Coast Guard to support its defense readiness
mission. The review should address the following elements:
(1) an estimate of all expenses related to the Coast Guard’s co-
ordination, training, and execution of defense readiness mission ac-
tivities in its capacity as an armed force in support of Department
of Defense national security operations and activities;
(2) an assessment of how the Coast Guard’s defense readiness
mission activities are generated;
(3) funding levels transferred by the Department of Defense or
otherwise provided to the Coast Guard in support of the Coast
Guard’s defense readiness mission for each of the past 10 fiscal
years;
(4) the number of Coast Guard detachments assigned in support
of the Coast Guard’s defense readiness mission for each of the past
10 fiscal years;
(5) an assessment of the extent to which Department of Defense
reimbursements for defense readiness enable the Coast Guard to
maintain its non-defense mission readiness and operational capa-
bilities; and
(6) an assessment of the extent to which the Coast Guard direc-
tion of resources to support the Department of Defense mission im-
pacts its non-defense mission readiness and operational capabili-
ties.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to pro-
vide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2021, on the Comptroller General’s preliminary
findings and present final results in a format and timeframe
agreed to at the time of the briefing.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
SUBTITLE A—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
Section 301—Authorization of Appropriations
This section would authorize appropriations for operation and
maintenance activities at the levels identified in section 4301 of di-
vision D of this Act.
SUBTITLE B—ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Section 311—Military Aviation and Installation Assurance
Clearinghouse for Review of Mission Obstructions
This section would amend the procedures for Department of De-
fense review of proposed wind energy projects by requiring the De-
partment of Defense to issue a notification to an applicant and the
applicable Governor of a finding of no adverse impact when appro-
priate. This section also strikes references to Massachusetts Insti-
tute of Technology’s role in determining project offset distances.
Section 312—Military Aviation and Installation Assurance
Clearinghouse for Review of Mission Obstructions
This section would amend the procedures for Department of De-
fense review of proposed wind energy projects by requiring the De-
partment of Defense to issue a notification to an applicant and the
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applicable Governor of a finding of no adverse impact when appro-
priate.
Section 313—Agreements to Limit Encroachments and Other
Constraints on Military Training, Testing, and Operations
This section would amend section 2684a of title 10, United States
Code, to provide a technical amendment to the Readiness and En-
vironmental Protection Integration Program that clarifies eligible
entity participation.
Section 314—Modification of Department of Defense Environ-
mental Restoration Authorities to Include Federal Government
Facilities Used by National Guard
This section would amend section 2707(e) of title 10, United
States Code, to modify defense environmental restoration authori-
ties to allow them to be used by the National Guard.
Section 315—Increased Transparency through Reporting on Usage
and Spills of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam at Military Installations
This section would amend chapter 160 of title 10, United States
Code, to require the Department of Defense to provide congres-
sional notification of all releases of PFOS- and PFOA-containing
fire-fighting foam.
Section 316—Replacement of Non-Tactical Motor Vehicles at the
End of Service Life with Electric or Hybrid Motor Vehicles
This section would amend section 2922g of title 10, United States
Code, to require the Department of Defense to maximize to the ex-
tent practicable its use of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric
vehicles for non-combat uses through replacement of vehicles at the
end of their lease or service period.
Section 317—Budgeting of Department of Defense Relating to
Operational Energy Improvement
This section would create a budget line for operational energy re-
quirements.
Section 318—Assessment of Department of Defense Operational
Energy Usage
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to enter into
an agreement with a federally funded research and development
center to conduct an assessment of Department of Defense oper-
ational energy usage.
Section 319—Improvement of the Operational Energy Capability
Improvement Fund of the Department of Defense
This section would realign the Operational Energy Capability
Improvement Fund under the Under Secretary of Defense for Ac-
quisition and Sustainment.
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Section 320—Five-Year Reviews of Containment Technologies
Relating to Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility
This section would require the Department of the Navy to con-
duct 5-year reviews of the best available technologies for contain-
ment at Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.
Section 321—Limitation on Use of Funds for Acquisition of Fur-
nished Energy for Rhine Ordnance Barracks Army Medical Cen-
ter
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to submit a
certification that none of the energy used by Rhine Ordnance Bar-
racks Army Medical Center was sourced from the Russian Federa-
tion.
Section 322—Requirement to Update Department of Defense
Climate Change Roadmap
This section would require the Department of Defense to update
the 2014 Department of Defense Climate Change Roadmap by Feb-
ruary 1, 2022.
Section 323—Comptroller General Report on Department of
Defense Installation Energy
This section would require the Comptroller General of the United
States to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Serv-
ices on Department of Defense progress toward meeting net zero
installation energy goals.
Section 324—Department of Defense Report on Emissions Levels
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report on its total emissions levels for the last 10 fiscal years.
Section 325—Objectives, Performance Standards, and Criteria for
Use of Wildlife Conservation Banking Programs
This section would require the Secretary of the Interior to work
through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to issue regu-
lations related to wildlife conservation banking.
Section 326—Offshore Wind Energy Development, Morro Bay,
California
This section would require all interaction on behalf of the Navy
with the California Energy Commission, Federal agencies, State
and local governments, and potential energy developers regarding
proposed offshore wind energy off the Central Coast of California
to be performed through the Office of the Under Secretary of De-
fense for Acquisition and Sustainment. In addition, this section
would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from issuing a final off-
shore wind assessment that proposes wind exclusion areas or ob-
jecting to an offshore energy project in the Central Coast of Cali-
fornia that has filed for review by the Military Aviation and Instal-
lations Assurance Clearinghouse until providing a required brief-
ing.
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Section 327—Long-Duration Demonstration Initiative and Joint
Program
This section would authorize the Director of the Environmental
Security Technology Certification Program of the Department of
Defense to establish a demonstration initiative composed of dem-
onstration projects focused on the development of long-duration en-
ergy storage technologies.
Section 328—Prizes for Development of Non-PFAS-Containing
Fire-Fighting Agent
This section would create a prize program to incentivize innova-
tion in development of a non-PFAS-containing fire-fighting agent.
Section 329—Survey of Technologies for Department of Defense Ap-
plication in Phasing Out the Use of Fluorinated Aqueous Film-
Forming Foam
This section would require the Department of Defense to survey
non-firefighting agent technologies that could facilitate execution of
the required 2024 phase-out of fluorinated aqueous film-forming
foam.
Section 330—Interagency Body on Research Related to Per- and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
The section would establish an interagency working group to co-
ordinate Federal research and development activities related to
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Section 331—Restriction on Procurement by Defense Logistics
Agency of Certain Items Containing Perfluoroalkyl Substances
and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
This section would prohibit the Director of the Defense Logistics
Agency from procuring certain items containing perfluoroalkyl and
polyfluoroalkyl substances effective one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
Section 332—Standards for Removal or Remedial Actions with
Respect to PFOS or PFOA Contamination
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to meet or
exceed the most stringent standards between an enforceable State
standard under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Com-
pensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), an enforceable Fed-
eral standard under CERCLA, or a health advisory under the Safe
Drinking Water Act when performing removal or remediation ac-
tions of PFOS or PFOA contamination from Department of Defense
or National Guard activities found in drinking water or in ground-
water that is not currently used for drinking water.
Section 333—Research and Development of Alternative to Aqueous
Film-Forming Foam
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, acting
through the National Institute of Standards and Technology and in
consultation with other stakeholders and Federal agencies, to
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award grants and carry out other activities related to fluorine-free
alternatives to aqueous film-forming foam.
Section 334—Notification to Agricultural Operations Located in
Areas Exposed to Department of Defense PFAS Use
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary of Agriculture, to provide notifications to
any agricultural operation located within 10 square miles of a loca-
tion where covered PFAS has been detected in groundwater,
hydrologically linked to a local water source, and is suspected to be,
or due to a positive test known to be, the result of the use of PFAS
at any installation of the Department of Defense located in the
United States or any State-owned facility of the National Guard.
Section 335—Public Disclosure of Results of Department of Defense
Testing for Perfluoroalkyl or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to publicly
disclose the results of any testing for perfluoroalkyl or
polyfluoroalkyl substances conducted on military installations or
formerly used defense sites.
SUBTITLE C—LOGISTICS AND SUSTAINMENT
Section 351—National Defense Sustainment and Logistics Review
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to conduct a
comprehensive examination and submit a report on the
sustainment and logistics requirements necessary to support the
national military strategy.
Section 352—Extension of Sunset Relating to Charter Air
Transportation Services
This section would amend section 9515(k) of title 10, United
States Code, to extend the minimum business guarantee for air
carriers participating in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program from
December 31, 2020, to December 31, 2025.
Section 353—Additional Elements for Inclusion in Navy Ship Depot
Maintenance Budget Report
This section would modify the Navy Ship Depot Maintenance Re-
port required by section 363(b) of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92) to include the
execution of the planned schedule categorized by class of ship and
to require a report on the Secretary’s progress implementing the
recommendations of GAO Report 20–370.
Section 354—Modification to Limitation on Length of Overseas
Forward Deployment of Naval Vessels
This section would make technical changes to limitations on the
length of time a ship can be in a forward deployed naval forces sta-
tus.
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Section 355—Independent Advisory Panel on Weapon System
Sustainment
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to establish
an independent advisory panel to conduct a review and make rec-
ommendations related to the weapon system sustainment eco-
system.
Section 356—Biannual Briefings on Status of Shipyard
Infrastructure Optimization Plan
This section would direct the Secretary of the Navy to provide a
briefing to the congressional defense committees every 6 months on
the status of implementation of the Shipyard Infrastructure Opti-
mization Plan.
Section 357—Materiel Readiness Metrics and Objectives for Major
Weapon Systems
This section would amend section 118 of title 10, United States
Code, to require the Department of Defense to develop materiel
readiness metrics and objectives for major weapon systems, to reg-
ularly review and update the metrics and objectives, and report on
them with the annual budget request.
SUBTITLE D—MUNITIONS SAFETY AND OVERSIGHT
Section 361—Chair of Department of Defense Explosive Safety
Board
This section would amend section 172 of title 10, United States
Code, to codify the responsibilities of the Department of Defense
Explosive Safety Board chairman, executive director, and staff. It
also requires the Under Secretary of Defense to certify that the
board positions, including the chairman, have been filled by mili-
tary officers before more than 75 percent of authorized funding
may be obligated or expended by the Office of the Under Secretary
of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
Section 362—Explosive Ordnance Disposal Defense Program
This section would amend section 2284 of title 10, United States
Code, to clarify that the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special
Operations and Low Intensity Conflict shall be responsible for the
direction, coordination, and integration of the Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Defense Program, and to specify which organizations
within the Department of Defense the Assistant Secretary shall co-
ordinate with on specific activities. In addition, this section would
require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on the estab-
lishment and organization of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal De-
fense Program.
Section 363—Assessment of Resilience of Department of Defense
Munitions Enterprise
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to enter into
an agreement with a federally funded research and development
center to conduct an assessment of the resilience of the Depart-
ment of Defense munitions enterprise.
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Section 364—Report on Safety Waivers and Mishaps in
Department of Defense Munitions Enterprise
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to include
with the President’s budget a report on safety waivers and mishaps
in the Department of Defense munitions enterprise.
SUBTITLE E—OTHER MATTERS
Section 371—Pilot Program for Temporary Issuance of Maternity-
Related Uniform Items
This section would authorize the Defense Logistics Agency to cre-
ate a pilot program to issue maternity uniforms to pregnant service
members at no cost to the service member. The authority to carry
out the pilot program would terminate on September 30, 2026.
Section 372—Servicewomen’s Commemorative Partnerships
This section would authorize the Secretary of the Army to enter
into a contract, partnership, or grant with a non-profit organization
for the purpose of providing financial support for the maintenance
and sustainment of infrastructure and facilities at military service
memorials and museums that highlight the role of women in the
military.
Section 373—Biodefense Analysis and Budget Submission
This section would require the Director of the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget to conduct a comprehensive analysis of Federal
biodefense programs and to develop and submit to Congress annu-
ally with the President’s budget request an integrated biodefense
budget submission and its supporting analysis.
TITLE IV—MILITARY PERSONNEL
AUTHORIZATIONS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Impact of U.S. Population Trends on National Guard Force
Structure
The committee notes the implementation guidance for the Na-
tional Guard’s National Defense Strategy states, ‘‘Demographic and
economic trends within the U.S. will challenge our ability to recruit
and retain quality Guardsmen over the next several years. Meeting
this challenge is fundamental to our long-term success . . . How-
ever, we must also be prepared to reposition National Guard force
structure to the parts of the nation where we can successfully re-
cruit to fill it.’’ Therefore, the committee directs the Chief of the
National Guard Bureau to submit a report to the Committees on
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives not
later than December 1, 2020, to determine if population, demo-
graphic, and economic trends are impacting the ability of the Na-
tional Guard to recruit and retain qualified individuals to fulfill
mission requirements as well as support the citizens of States with
respect to title 32 National Guard civil support missions. The re-
port shall include recommendations to address these concerns as
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well as force structure changes to address these vulnerabilities.
The study should include Air and Army National Guard units and
historical and projected population growth.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
SUBTITLE A—ACTIVE FORCES
Section 401—End Strengths for Active Forces
This section would authorize the following end strengths for Ac-
tive Duty personnel of the Armed Forces as of September 30, 2021:
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Sec. 401.
FY 2021 Change from
FY 2020
Service Committee
Authorized FY 2021 FY 2020
Request Recom- Request Authorized
mendation
Army ............................................................................... 480,000 485,900 485,900 0 5,900
Navy ................................................................................ 340,500 347,800 347,800 0 7,300
USMC .............................................................................. 186,200 184,100 184,100 0 ¥2,100
Air Force ......................................................................... 332,800 327,266 327,266 0 ¥5,534
Space Force .................................................................... 0 6,434 6,434 0 6,434
DOD Total .............................................................. 1,339,500 1,351,500 1,351,500 0 12,000
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Section 402—Revisions in Permanent Active Duty End Strength
Minimum Levels
This section would establish new minimum Active Duty end
strengths for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space
Force as of September 30, 2021. The committee recommends
485,900 as the minimum Active Duty end strength for the Army,
347,800 as the minimum Active Duty end strength for the Navy,
184,100 as the minimum Active Duty end strength for the Marine
Corps, 327,266 as the minimum Active Duty end strength for the
Air Force, and 6,434 as the minimum Active Duty end strength for
the Space Force.
Section 403—Modification of the Authorized Number and
Accounting Method for Senior Enlisted Personnel
This section would amend section 517 of title 10, United States
Code, to change the method of calculating the authorized number
of senior enlisted members in the grades of E–8 and E–9 from the
daily average to an authorized end strength, and would increase
the authorized number of members in the grade of E–8 from 2.5
percent to 3 percent of the total number of enlisted members.
SUBTITLE B—RESERVE FORCES
Section 411—End Strengths for Selected Reserve
This section would authorize the following end strengths for Se-
lected Reserve personnel, including the end strength for Reserves
on Active Duty in support of the Reserves, as of September 30,
2021:
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Sec. 411.
FY 2021 Change from
FY 2020
Service Committee
Authorized FY 2021 FY 2020
Request Recom- Request Authorized
mendation
Army National Guard ...................................................... 336,000 336,500 336,500 0 500
Army Reserve .................................................................. 189,500 189,800 189,800 0 300
Navy Reserve .................................................................. 59,000 58,800 58,800 0 ¥200
Marine Corps Reserve .................................................... 38,500 38,500 38,500 0 0
Air National Guard ......................................................... 107,700 108,100 108,100 0 400
Air Force Reserve ........................................................... 70,100 70,300 70,300 0 200
DOD Total .............................................................. 800,800 802,000 802,000 0 1,200
Coast Guard Reserve ..................................................... 7,000 7,000 7,000 0 0
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Section 412—End Strengths for Reserves on Active Duty in
Support of the Reserves
This section would authorize the following end strengths for Re-
serves on Active Duty in support of the Reserves as of September
30, 2021:
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Sec. 412.
FY 2021 Change from
FY 2020
Service Committee
Authorized FY 2021 FY 2020
Request Recom- Request Authorized
mendation
Army National Guard ...................................................... 30,595 30,595 30,595 0 0
Army Reserve .................................................................. 16,511 16,511 16,511 0 0
Navy Reserve .................................................................. 10,155 10,215 10,215 0 60
Marine Corps Reserve .................................................... 2,386 2,386 2,386 0 0
Air National Guard ......................................................... 22,637 25,333 25,333 0 2,696
Air Force Reserve ........................................................... 4,431 5,256 5,256 0 825
DOD Total .............................................................. 86,715 90,296 90,296 0 3,581
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118
Section 413—End Strengths for Military Technicians (Dual Status)
This section would authorize the following end strengths for mili-
tary technicians (dual status) as of September 30, 2021:
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Sec. 413.
FY 2021 Change from
FY 2020
Service Committee
Authorized FY 2021 FY 2020
Request Recom- Request Authorized
mendation
Army National Guard ...................................................... 22,294 22,294 22,294 0 0
Army Reserve .................................................................. 6,492 6,492 6,492 0 0
Air National Guard ......................................................... 13,569 10,994 10,994 0 ¥2,575
Air Force Reserve ........................................................... 8,938 7,947 7,947 0 ¥991
DOD Total .............................................................. 51,293 47,727 47,727 0 ¥3,566
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120
Section 414—Maximum Number of Reserve Personnel Authorized
To Be on Active Duty for Operational Support
This section would authorize, as required by section 115(b) of
title 10, United States Code, the maximum number of Reserve
Component personnel who may be on Active Duty or full-time Na-
tional Guard duty during fiscal year 2021 to provide operational
support. The personnel authorized here do not count against the
end strengths authorized by section 401 or section 412 of this Act
unless the duration on Active Duty exceeds the limitations in sec-
tion 115(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code.
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Sec. 414.
FY 2021 Change from
FY 2020
Service Committee
Authorized FY 2021 FY 2020
Request Recom- Request Authorized
mendation
Army National Guard ...................................................... 17,000 17,000 17,000 0 0
Army Reserve .................................................................. 13,000 13,000 13,000 0 0
Navy Reserve .................................................................. 6,200 6,200 6,200 0 0
Marine Corps Reserve .................................................... 3,000 3,000 3,000 0 0
Air National Guard ......................................................... 16,000 16,000 16,000 0 0
Air Force Reserve ........................................................... 14,000 14,000 14,000 0 0
DOD Total .............................................................. 69,200 69,200 69,200 0 0
SUBTITLE C—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
Section 421—Military Personnel
This section would authorize appropriations for military per-
sonnel at the levels identified in the funding table in section 4401
of division D of this Act.
TITLE V—MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
A Report on the Military Lending Act and the Effects of High
Interest Rates on Readiness
The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in consultation
with the Secretary of the Treasury, to submit a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services, no later than February 15th, 2021,
on a Military Annual Percentage Rate lower than 30% and its im-
pact on military readiness and servicemember retention.
Air Force Institute of Technology and Space Education Study
For more than a century, the Air Force Institute of Technology
(AFIT), has continuously supported the aeronautics and aviation-fo-
cused technical education needs of our nation’s military. Today
AFIT is the Air Force’s leader for advanced, multidisciplinary aca-
demic education, as well as its institution for technical professional
continuing education. As our defense needs have shifted to incor-
porate space as a contested warfighting domain, AFIT has re-
sponded by creating new educational programs and research insti-
tutions. For example, AFIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astro-
nautics produces graduates and research to meet the military’s
needs for future spacecraft. AFIT’s Center for Space Research and
Assurance delivers highly valued resilient, responsive, and reliable
space capabilities to the defense and intelligence community
through executing cutting-edge space technology development,
science, and space experiments. AFIT’s School of Strategic Force
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Studies manages execution of space and nuclear continuing edu-
cation. Space is now integral to AFIT’s numerous research and
graduate and continuing education programs. With the establish-
ment of the U.S. Space Force within the Department of the Air
Force, the committee anticipates the requirements for AFIT to ex-
pand to meet the new challenges of a greater department mission.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than February 1, 2021, on a study of the Air Force Institute
of Technology future role in space education. The study shall in-
clude each of the following elements at a minimum:
(1) an overview of AFIT’s existing space-focused education and
research capabilities, programs, products, and outputs;
(2) an identification and evaluation of new space-focused edu-
cational requirements that can be met by AFIT resulting from the
establishment of the U.S. Space Force and based on future space-
related defense needs;
(3) a roadmap for meeting the requirements described in element
(2), as well as a description of anticipated additional resources nec-
essary for AFIT to meet the education and research space require-
ments of the Department of the Air Force in the next 5 fiscal years;
and
(4) a recommendation whether to change the name of AFIT to
‘‘Air and Space Force Institute of Technology’’ or other name to re-
flect its future role in air and space defense-focused education.
Concerns about Uncharacterized Discharges
The committee is concerned by reports of inappropriate use of
uncharacterized discharges for tenured military members who have
served for more than six months but less than 8 years. The com-
mittee directs the Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Army,
Secretary of the Air Force, and Commandant of the Marine Corps
to report to the committees on Armed Services of the Senate and
the House of Representatives by February 21, 2021 on how many
uncharacterized discharges have been issued to service members in
the last ten years, including the breakdown by gender, race/eth-
nicity, and grade. The report should also explain why an
uncharacterized discharge was used instead of any of the other dis-
charge statuses.
Disinformation Training Incorporated into Pre-deployment
Training
The committee is aware that U.S. forces deployed overseas are
being directly targeted by our adversaries with disinformation
through social media, text messages, and other means. The com-
mittee supports the goal of ensuring U.S. troops are appropriately
trained to think critically to distinguish between legitimate news
and unreliable information, including fake URLs and headlines.
The committee also expects the Secretaries of the military depart-
ments to incorporate into pre-deployment training a new compo-
nent on media literacy to prepare troops to think critically and
identify disinformation.
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Effectiveness of Military Justice Reforms
The committee understands the importance of ongoing military
justice reforms throughout the Department of Defense. Addition-
ally, successive National Defense Authorization Acts have required
a wide range of reforms to the Uniform Code of Military Justice
and other military legal matters. The committee wants to ensure
it remains abreast of the effectiveness of these military justice re-
forms. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than January 1, 2021, on the results of the review and assess-
ment conducted under section 946(f)(1) of title 10, United States
Code (article 3 146(f)(1) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice).
This briefing shall include recommendations for improvements to
the Uniform Code of Military Justice based on the results of such
review and assessment.
Expanding World Language Program to Offer Strategic Language
Training to DODEA Students Earlier
The committee notes that the Host Nation Program provides De-
partment of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) elementary
school students with a cross-cultural and language acquisition
focus to develop an appreciation and understanding of the culture
and language of the country in which they are located. The com-
mittee also notes that the World Language Program curriculum is
offered at DODEA’s schools outside the United States, in middle
through high school, and is designed to provide students with an
introduction to host nation languages, taught by host nation teach-
ers. The students also participate in activities building appreciation
and understanding of the country in which they are located. Con-
sidering that earlier exposure to language training generally in-
creases foreign language proficiency, the committee directs the Sec-
retary of Defense to submit a report to the Committees on Armed
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives not later
than March 1, 2021, consisting of the following elements:
(1) the feasibility of beginning strategic language instruction in
the kindergarten through 6th grade level where applicable, and
(2) the cost, resources, and, impediments to beginning strategic
language instruction per element (1).
Gender Integration at Marine Corps Recruit Depots
The committee commends the United States Marine Corps for
working to achieve the requirements in section 565 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–
92) to gender integrate training at Marine Corps Recruit Depots.
The committee believes transparency is crucial to ensuring the in-
tent of Congress is met. Therefore, the committee directs the Com-
mandant of the Marine Corps to provide a briefing to the Com-
mittee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives not later
than March 1, 2021, describing the plan to integrate the Marine
Recruit Depots. The briefing should include projected costs for the
resiliency of the bases and infrastructure, for construction to mod-
ify facilities, any land lease issues, any surplus property identified,
any impacts to local infrastructure surrounding the Depots, any
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changes for training, and challenges the Commandant believes
would prevent the Marine Corps from achieving the requirement.
Improvements to the Special Victims’ Counsel Program
The committee acknowledges the benefits of the Special Victims’
Counsel Program and supports the military services’ consistent ef-
forts to strengthen the program. The committee believes that com-
pliance with recent efforts to expand and improve the Special Vic-
tims’ Counsel Program is critical to the program’s success. There-
fore, the committee directs the Judge Advocates General of the
Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, and the Staff Judge Advocate
to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services by January 1, 2021, on
the Special Victims’ Counsel Program. Such briefing shall include
the following:
(1) an assessment of whether the service is in compliance with
the provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92) relating to the Special Victims’
Counsel Program and, if not, what steps have been taken to
achieve compliance with such provisions. Such provisions include,
but are not limited to: the requirement that a military installation
provide an alleged victim with access to a Special Victims’ Counsel,
not later than 72 hours after such request is made, if a Special Vic-
tims’ Counsel is not available at the military installation; the re-
quirement that Special Victims’ Counsel receive appropriate train-
ing on criminal laws and policies of the State(s) in which they are
located; and the requirement that Special Victims’ Counsel provide
alleged victims with legal consultation and assistance related to in-
cidents of retaliation.
(2) a description of any staffing constraints on the Special Vic-
tims’ Counsel program or other programs of the service resulting
from the additional responsibilities required of the Special Victims’
Counsel Program under Public Law 116–92.
(3) an assessment of the feasibility of providing cross-service Spe-
cial Victims’ Counsel representation in instances where a Special
Victims’ Counsel from a different service is co-located with a victim
at a remote base.
Military Judge Advocate General End Strength
The committee applauds the military services for diligently re-
viewing the manning requirements for the Judge Advocate General
(JAG) Corps to ensure achievement of the requirements of section
541 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
(Public Law 116–92). The committee notes these reviews are crit-
ical for the success of the military legal community to ensure the
appropriate number of JAGs are accessed and trained to suffi-
ciently execute the increasing number of JAG requirements in the
military. Therefore, the committee expects each military service
will have a programmed increase in the number of JAG billets to
meet the requirements of Public Law 116–92.
Military Spouse Licensure Reciprocity
The committee applauds the work done by the Department of De-
fense to ease licensing burdens for military spouses relocating from
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other States or territories. The committee supports comments made
by the service secretaries touting the importance of professional li-
censure reciprocity for military families and the consideration this
will be given when evaluating future basing decisions. The com-
mittee notes that while some progress has been made, with more
than 1,100 various occupational licensing requirements across the
United States, such regulations continue to directly impact the wel-
fare and morale of service members and their families, and Depart-
ment of Defense staffing may not be at the level required to speed
the development of State compacts. Therefore, the committee di-
rects the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the Commit-
tees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives not later than June 1, 2021, that includes:
(1) an action plan on the status of licensure reciprocity actions
being taken in each State to include the use of interstate compacts
and exemption status;
(2) the measurement of the average number of days to spousal
licensure in each State grouped by occupational specialty;
(3) the development of a framework assessing the status of State
spousal licensure reciprocity agreements when considering future
basing decisions within the Department of Defense; and
(4) the additional number of Department of Defense Defense-
State Liaisons required to further facilitate State compacts.
Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Reservation System
Modernization
The committee understands that a robust Morale, Welfare, and
Recreation program across the Armed Forces is a critical compo-
nent of retention. However, most online resources are not available
through an online portal and reservations must be made by phone.
This sometimes exacerbates a situation with long beneficiary wait
times and inconsistent booking practices across Morale, Welfare,
and Recreation programs. Therefore, the committee directs the Sec-
retary of Defense to provide a report to the Committees on Armed
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives not later
than June 1, 2021, analyzing ongoing challenges with the existing
system and providing recommendations that would improve and
modernize the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation reservation system.
Officer and Enlisted Qualification Testing
The committee believes that relevant qualification testing is a
critical component of accessing quality officers and warrant officers
and enlisting exceptional personnel into the military services. How-
ever, the committee is concerned that outdated qualification testing
requirements may be adversely affecting the recruitment of other-
wise qualified applicants and may also be unnecessarily inhibiting
their entry into specific occupational specialties. While the unique
requirements of the individual services and their numerous special-
ties are recognized, the lack of uniformity even across the commis-
sioning sources of a single service cause concern for the efficacy of
current testing. Presently, there is no single test or instrument
used as an aptitude requirement for appointment of officers and
warrant officers within the military departments and the Armed
Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test required for en-
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listment is antiquated, failing to target the critical aspects of a
changing force.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to pro-
vide a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate
and the House of Representatives not later than March 1, 2021, on
the following:
(1) An analysis of the various forms of qualification testing re-
quired for entrance into military service, the officer or warrant offi-
cer corps, or a specific occupational specialty, broken out by mili-
tary service
(2) the frequency with which the Department of Defense reviews
the qualification tests of the services to include those tests required
for entrance into specific occupations
(3) the number of potential accessions that have been denied
entry into the officer or warrant officer corps due to their perform-
ance on a service-directed qualification test, broken out by military
service
(4) the number of potential enlistments that have been denied
entry into the armed services due to their performance on the
Armed Services Vocational Battery Aptitude (ASVAB) Test, broken
out by military service
(5) the number of service members denied entrance into an avia-
tion specific occupation due to performance on an aviation quali-
fication test, broken out by military service
(6) a plan of action to update current qualification testing stand-
ards and requirements to ensure optimal recruitment of prospective
applicants.
Parental Leave Parity for Reservists
The Committee believes there should be a consistent policy that
allows servicemembers in the Reserve Component flexibility in
their drill schedule to be able to take parental leave after the birth
or adoption of child. The Committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness to provide a briefing to the
House Armed Services Committee no later than July 1, 2021 re-
garding the current Reserve Component policies relating to paren-
tal leave and the feasibility of establishing a policy that allows for
flexible drill for twelve weeks after the birth or adoption of a child,
to include maximizing the use of telework if appropriate. This
briefing should include an assessment of ways to minimize impact
of the servicemember’s parental leave on their individual and unit
readiness and ensure that no servicemember faces corrective ac-
tion, including administrative separation or transfer to the indi-
vidual ready reserve, for failure to meet administrative require-
ments during their period of parental leave.
Participation in Transition Assistance Programs at Small and
Remote Military Installations
The committee remains concerned that all service members are
receiving quality transition assistance and access to transitional re-
sources through the Transition Assistance Program, especially ac-
cess and availability of resources at small and remote bases. The
goal is to ensure all service members, even those transitioning out
of small or remote bases, are not overlooked and receive the re-
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sources required. Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller
General of the United States to submit a report to the Committees
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives,
not later than June 1, 2021, on a review of the participation in for-
mal Transition Assistance Programs of members of the Armed
Forces assigned to small military installations and remote military
installations in the United States. Small military installations and
remote military installations for purposes of this report are defined
as follows:
(1) a small military installation is an installation at which are
assigned not more than 10,000 members of the Armed Forces.
(2) a remote military installation is an installation that is located
more than 50 miles from any city with a population of 50,000 peo-
ple or more (as determined by the Office of Management and Budg-
et).
Professional Military Education Reform
The committee believes that Professional Military Education re-
mains the foundation of joint integration and the Goldwater-Nich-
ols Act. However, the committee is concerned that Congress is not
being consulted on significant changes to the Professional Military
Education system now under consideration by the Department of
Defense. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and the House of Representatives not later than March 1,
2021, on the following:
(1) the status of the recommendations made to the Department
of Defense in Government Accountability Office Report 20–323;
(2) a review of recommended improvements to the Professional
Military Education enterprise in support of the National Defense
Strategy, to include the cost of implementing these improvements;
and
(3) an assessment and value statement of the contributions of
each of the senior service colleges as it relates to Joint Professional
Military Education, Phase II education.
Report on Feasibility of Implementation of Flexible Spending Ac-
count Options for Members of the Uniformed Services and Their
Families
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a re-
port to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the
House of Representatives by January 1, 2021, on the feasibility of
implementing flexible spending account options that allow pre-tax
payment of dependent care expenses, health and dental insurance
premiums, and out-of-pocket health care expenses for members of
the uniformed services and their family members. The report re-
quired shall include the following elements:
(1) identification of any legislative or administrative barriers to
achieving the implementation of such options;
(2) recommendations on contribution limits; and
(3) an assessment on tax incentives when using flexible spending
accounts in conjunction with or instead of other annual tax credits
and what financial advantages or disadvantages there may be for
servicemembers and their families.
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Reserve Component General and Flag Officer Development
The committee believes that the professional development of Re-
serve Component general and flag officers is imperative to exe-
cuting national security objectives. The military services are chal-
lenged to provide Reserve Component officers with sufficient expe-
rience via the assignments process and to work diligently to sus-
tain a wide array of opportunities that ensure an adequate pool of
qualified senior leaders. Reductions in general and flag officer re-
quirements or authorizations that disproportionally affect those po-
sitions that are viewed as developmentally vital should be avoided
in order to achieve optimal performance and total force integration.
Further, careful consideration must be given to maintain an appro-
priate diversity of positions that balance command, staff, and joint
opportunities. It is the feeling of the committee that more needs to
be done to ensure senior leaders within the Reserve Component are
afforded continued professional growth opportunities and a clear
path for progression.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to pro-
vide a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate
and the House of Representatives not later than March 1, 2021, on
the following:
(1) a comprehensive analysis of the current Reserve Component
general and flag officer command positions, broken out by service
(2) a general assessment of current joint and staff opportunities
available to Reserve Component general and flag officers, to in-
clude any areas of opportunity expansion
(3) the impact of limited reserve officer exemptions on career pro-
gression for the Reserve Component
(4) an outline of any legislative or policy driven guidance that im-
pedes progression of Reserve Component general and flag officers
(5) ongoing or planned efforts to further integrate the Reserve
Component with Active Duty at the general and flag officer level
(6) other information relevant to the enhanced career path for
Reserve Component general and flag officers
Reserve Component Record of Service
The committee recognizes the Department of Defense is begin-
ning to implement changes from the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92) on the record of
service for the Reserves. The Department has been provided great
flexibility to fully explore what information should be on the record
of service and when the record of service should be issued. The De-
partment should also explore different options for conveying the
record of service for the Reserves. Therefore, the Committee en-
courages the Department of Defense to consider the feasibility of
an electronic option that includes a mechanism for validation of cu-
mulative service for the conveyance of benefits.
Review of Medical Accessions Standards for Appointment,
Enlistment, or Induction into Military Services
The committee understands the Department of Defense evaluates
hundreds of thousands of applicants to determine their eligibility
to serve, including their medical fitness. The Department of De-
fense Instruction 6130.03, ‘‘Medical Standards for Appointment,
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Enlistment, or Induction into the Military Services,’’ ensures that
medical standards are implemented across the Department of De-
fense for all service member accessions. Additionally, there is a
medical waiver process administered by the Secretaries of the mili-
tary services to allow for individuals with some previous conditions
to still access into the military if it is determined the condition
does not hinder the ability to deploy worldwide, regardless of mili-
tary occupation. The committee notes that the frequency with
which the Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03 is updated to
include information from the civilian community is every 3 to 5
years and based on a variety of medical factors. The committee is
concerned as to whether there is actual uniformity in the deter-
mination of waivers across the military services and if data on
waivers is reviewed on a reoccurring basis as well. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services, not later than February
1, 2021, specifying the following:
(1) the frequency with which the Department of Defense consults
with the civilian medical community to determine whether best
practices across the medical disciplines referenced in Department
of Defense Instruction 6130.03 are considered when promulgating
and updating medical standards for potential accessions;
(2) the number of potential accessions across the military serv-
ices that have been denied entry due to a notation related to men-
tal health conditions like anxiety and depressive disorders that are
no longer undergoing treatment and are considered stable;
(3) the number of potential accessions across the military serv-
ices that have been denied entry due to a notation of attention def-
icit hyperactivity disorder medication usage (current usage or with-
in the past 24 months); and
(4) the impact of decentralizing the medical waivers process to a
lower level within the chain of command.
Review of the Preservation of the Force and Family Program for
Special Operations Forces
The committee recognizes the importance of the Preservation of
the Force and Family (POTFF) program to support the personnel
and dependents of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM),
and is supportive of the command’s initiatives to broaden focus
across the pillars of POTFF to more comprehensively address the
stressors and needs of those special operations forces (SOF) and
their families.
While POTFF has historically focused on rehabilitating and
maintaining the operator through physical therapy initiatives, the
committee maintains interest in ensuring balance of investment
throughout POTFF to wholly address the mental, physical, spir-
itual, and familial needs of SOF. The committee notes the addi-
tional investments for the other pillars of POTFF, and is encour-
aged by the use of emergent technologies such as machine learning/
artificial intelligence (ML/AI) to facilitate development of
neurocognitive mapping capabilities to more accurately capture the
psychological data of SOF, with the intention of aligning proper
emotional care as they maneuver throughout the special operations
enterprise.
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The committee also notes the recent effort to establish
Smartabase as the preferred program to virtually track SOF par-
ticipating in the POTFF program. The committee understands the
intent to have Smartabase implemented at each Service Compo-
nent and Theater Special Operations Command element of
USSOCOM. The committee is also aware that Smartabase is in-
tended to manage data associated with USSOCOM’s SOF Assess-
ment Baseline and Reassessment System.
However, with these concerns in mind, and to ensure that the
command is honoring SOF truth number one, ‘‘Humans are more
important than hardware,’’ the committee directs the Comptroller
General of the United States to provide a report to the House Com-
mittee on Armed Services by January 29, 2021, on the history, cur-
rent use, and future intent for the POTFF program. The report
shall include:
(1) observations regarding the balance of emphasis put on the
four pillars of the program;
(2) the use of ML/AI to accurately capture and track the
neurocognitive data of SOF and virtual connectivity to ensure that
data is easily shared as SOF move across the enterprise;
(3) an assessment of the interoperability and scalability of the
Smartabase system; and
(4) opportunities to enhance the POTFF program, especially con-
sidering transitioning and retired SOF who might still require the
specialty care as provided by the POTFF program.
Sexual Assault Information Management System
The committee is aware of the Army Sexual Harassment/Assault
Response and Prevention Program Office’s use of the Army’s Stra-
tegic Management System (SMS) performance management tool to
report data from the Department of Defense’s Sexual Assault Infor-
mation Database (DSAID). The committee further recognizes that
the use of SMS allows Army leaders at all levels of command to
create uniform, centrally managed reports that allow for visibility
into sexual harassment/assault conditions across the force. How-
ever, the committee is concerned that across the other military de-
partments and the Office of the Secretary of Defense, no system of
record is used to report data emanating from DSAID. Therefore,
the committee encourages the Secretary of Defense to review the
Department’s and each military service’s system for utilizing infor-
mation from DSAID and how a common operating system may im-
prove commanders’ ability to monitor and tailor prevention pro-
grams across the Department.
Space Force Personnel
The committee commends the Department of Defense for the es-
tablishment of the Space Force within the Department of the Air
Force. The mission of the Space Force is critical to ensuring unfet-
tered access to, and freedom to operate in, space, and to providing
vital capabilities to joint and coalition forces in peacetime and
across the spectrum of conflict. However, the current planning
seems to lack some specificity and details that may be needed to
help ensure the timely and successful execution of the force struc-
ture plan for the Space Force. Therefore, the committee directs the
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Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the Committees on
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives,
not later than February 1, 2021, specifying the following elements:
(1) the number of personnel, grades, and specialties of voluntary
transfers that will be transferred into the Space Force from the De-
partment of the Army, Department of the Navy, and Department
of the Air Force;
(2) any new civilian personnel authorities and hiring initiatives
needed by the Department of the Air Force to ensure the Space
Force has the agility to acquire and retain the required civilian
workforce;
(3) any changes to the physical and medical standards for ap-
pointment, enlistment, or induction into the Space Force, to include
any new initiatives that would consider the broadening of waiver
authorities to facilitate a holistic approach to the accession and re-
tention of Space Force personnel; and
(4) a plan of action and milestones that highlights force structure
actions to be completed, resource allocation, and personnel trans-
fers.
United States Space Force Commissioning Programs
The committee affirms that the recent establishment of the
United States Space Force requires the congressional defense com-
mittees and the Department of Defense to work closely to identify
the policy and resources needed to ensure the U.S. Space Force can
effectively fulfill its mission as an independent branch of the armed
forces. The committee observes that earlier this year the United
States Air Force Academy graduated the first eighty-six officers to
be directly commissioned into the U.S. Space Force. The committee
also recognizes that, like the other military services, officers com-
missioned into the Space Force will require pre-commissioning
training programs tailored to the unique aspects of the Space Force
mission and service culture. The committee is aware that the De-
partment of the Air Force is developing a strategy to address Space
Force officer commissioning programs and desires greater under-
standing of these requirements. Therefore, the committee directs
the Secretary of the Air Force to provide the congressional defense
committees with a briefing, no later than March 1, 2021, on its
strategy to establish Space Force officer commissioning programs
and the resources required to implement this strategy. Addition-
ally, the committee urges the Department of the Air Force to com-
plete its review of Space Force officer commissioning programs in
time to include its resource requirements in the Department’s Fis-
cal Year 2022 budget request.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
SUBTITLE A—OFFICER PERSONNEL POLICY
Section 501—Authorized Strength: Exclusion of Certain General
and Flag Officers of the Reserve Components on Active Duty
This section would amend section 526a(b) of title 10, United
States Code, to reinstate the exclusions of certain reserve officers
from limitations of section 526a(b).
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Section 502—Diversity in Selection Boards
This section would amend section 612(a)(1), section 573(b), and
section 14102(b) of title 10, United States Code, to require that the
members of a selection board shall represent the diversity of the
Armed Forces to the extent practicable.
Section 503—Redaction of Personally Identifiable Information from
Records Furnished to a Promotion Board
This section would require the redaction of personally identifi-
able information from records furnished to a promotion board.
SUBTITLE B—RESERVE COMPONENT MANAGEMENT
Section 511—Grants to Support STEM Education in the Junior
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to estab-
lish a grant program for science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics education in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
units at the Secretary’s discretion.
Section 512—Modification of Education Loan Repayment Program
for Members of Selected Reserve
This section would increase the amount which may be paid to
members of the Selected Reserve under the education loan repay-
ment program.
Section 513—Requirement of Consent of the Chief Executive Offi-
cer for Certain Full-Time National Guard Duty Performed in a
State, Territory, or the District of Columbia
This section would amend section 502(f)(2)(A) of title 32, United
States Code, to require the consent of the chief executives of both
the sending State and the receiving State should the President de-
ploy National Guard members under title 32, United States Code,
authority.
Section 514—Constructive Credit for Certain Members of the Re-
serve Components Who Cannot Complete Minimum Annual
Training Requirements as a Result of the COVID–19 Pandemic
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to pre-
scribe regulations that grant constructive credit towards retirement
for a member of the Reserve Components who cannot complete
minimum annual training requirements due to the COVID–19 pan-
demic.
Section 515—Guidance for Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems by
the National Guard
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to issue new
guidance that provides for the expedited review of requests for the
use of unmanned aircraft systems by the National Guard for cov-
ered activities within the United States.
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Section 516—Direct Employment Pilot Program for Certain
Members of the Reserve Components
This section would enable the Secretary of Defense to create a
pilot program that would allow States to establish or expand job
placement programs, and related employment services, for unem-
ployed guardsmen or reservists.
Section 517—Temporary Limitation on Authority to Transfer, Relo-
cate, or Dissolve Elements of the Reserve Components of the Air
Force
This section would prohibit the Secretary of the Air Force from
transferring or relocating any personnel or asset, or dissolving any
unit, of the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve until 180 days
after the Secretary submits the required report.
Section 518—Pilot Programs in Connection with SROTC Units and
CSPI Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
and Minority Institutions
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to create
pilot programs that support ROTC units at historically black col-
leges, to include creating partnerships between military bases and
institutions and providing financial assistance for pilot training.
SUBTITLE C—GENERAL SERVICE AUTHORITIES AND CORRECTION OF
MILITARY RECORDS
Section 521—Temporary Authority to Order Retired Members to
Active Duty in High-Demand, Low-Density Assignments During
War or National Emergency
This section would amend section 688a of title 10, United States
Code, to allow the Secretary of a military department to recall
more than 1,000 retirees to Active Duty during a war or national
emergency.
Section 522—Reenlistment Waivers for Persons Separated from the
Armed Forces Who Commit One Misdemeanor Cannabis Offense
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to prescribe
regulations that permit any Secretary of a military department to
grant a reenlistment waiver to a covered person who has separated
from the Armed Forces and has admitted to or been convicted by
a court of competent jurisdiction of a single violation relating to the
use or possession of cannabis.
Section 523—Review of Seaman to Admiral-21 Program; Credit
Towards Retirement
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to review
the records of participants in the Seaman to Admiral-21 program
from fiscal year 2010 through fiscal year 2014 as it relates to serv-
ice credits.
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SUBTITLE D—MILITARY JUSTICE AND OTHER LEGAL MATTERS
Section 531—Punitive Article on Violent Extremism
This section would amend chapter 47 of title 10, United States
Code, by establishing an article on violent extremism in the Uni-
form Code of Military Justice.
Section 532—Preservation of Court-Martial Records
This section would amend section 940a of title 10, United States
Code (article 140a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), to re-
quire the preservation of special and general court-martial records
regardless of outcome for not less than 15 years.
Section 533—Electronic Notarization for Members of the Armed
Forces
This section would amend section 1044a of title 10, United States
Code, to authorize electronic notarization.
Section 534—Clarifications regarding Scope of Employment and
Reemployment Rights of Members of the Uniformed Services
This section would protect service members from forced arbitra-
tion in Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act
cases.
Section 535—Absentee Ballot Tracking Program
This section would amend section 102(h) of the Uniformed and
Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302(h)) to re-
quire the chief State election official, in coordination with local
election jurisdictions, to establish and operate an absentee ballot
tracking program.
Section 536—Tracking Mechanism and Reporting Requirements for
Supremacist, Extremist, and Criminal Gang Activity in the
Armed Forces
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to develop
and implement a process to track investigations, criminal and ad-
ministrative actions, and final determinations with respect to con-
duct of members of the Armed Forces that is prohibited under De-
partment of Defense Instruction 1325.06, titled Handling Dissident
and Protest Activities Among Members of the Armed Forces.’’ This
section would also require the Secretary of Defense to submit to the
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of
Representatives not later than December 1 of each year, beginning
after the date of the enactment of this Act, a report on the process
implemented by the Secretary.
Section 537—Military-Civilian Task Force on Domestic Violence
and Related Information Collection Activities
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to establish
a military-civilian task force on domestic violence with experts
from within the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, De-
partment of Health and Human Services, and Centers for Disease
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Control and Prevention, as well as civilian experts. This section
would also require an initial report from the task force to the Sec-
retary one year after the Secretary establishes the task force, as
well as an annual report to Congress until the task force is termi-
nated. This section would also require the Secretary of Defense to
collect information on prevalence of domestic violence involving
members of the Armed Forces, their intimate partners, and imme-
diate family members. This section would also require an annual
report to the congressional defense committees on domestic violence
in the Armed Forces.
Section 538—Actions to Address Military-Connected Child Abuse
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to carry out
activities to improve the ability of the Department of Defense to ef-
fectively prevent, track, and respond to military-connected child
abuse.
Section 539—Multidisciplinary Board to Evaluate Suicide Events
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to issue guid-
ance that requires each suicide event involving a member of a cov-
ered Armed Force to be reviewed by a multidisciplinary board es-
tablished at the command or installation level. This section would
also require the Secretary to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act on the progress on implementation.
SUBTITLE E—SEXUAL ASSAULT
Section 541—Protection of Attorney-Client Privilege between
Victims and Special Victims’ Counsel
This section would amend subsection (c) of section 1044e of title
10, United States Code, by defining the relationship between the
Special Victims’ Counsel and the victim in the provision of legal ad-
vice as the relationship between an attorney and a client. During
any criminal legal proceeding in which a Special Victims’ Counsel
is asked to testify or give evidence, the Special Victims’ Counsel
shall be given the same consideration as counsel for the Govern-
ment and counsel for the accused. This section would also require,
not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
Rule 502 of the Military Rules of Evidence to be modified to pro-
vide that the privilege between a Special Victims’ Counsel and a
client shall be the same as lawyer-client privilege.
Section 542—Authority of Military Judges and Military
Magistrates to Issue Military Court Protective Orders
This section would authorize military magistrates and military
judges to issue Military Court Protective Orders for the purpose of
protecting a victim of an alleged sex or domestic violence offense,
or a family member or associate of the victim, from a person sub-
ject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
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Section 543—Additional Bases for Provision of Advice by the De-
fense Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Mis-
conduct
This section would amend section 550B(c)(2) of the National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92)
to add additional bases for the provision of advice from the Defense
Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct.
Section 544—Modification of Reporting and Data Collection on
Victims of Sexual Offenses
This section would amend section 547 of the John S. McCain Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law
115–232) to modify data collection and reporting on victims of sex-
ual assault.
Section 545—Modification of Annual Report regarding Sexual
Assaults Involving Members of the Armed Forces
This section would amend section 1631(d) of the Ike Skelton Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (Public Law
111–383; 10 U.S.C. 1561 note) to include the Committees on Vet-
erans Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Section 546—Coordination of Support for Survivors of Sexual
Trauma
This section would require the Secretaries of Defense and Vet-
erans Affairs to jointly develop, implement, and maintain a stand-
ard of coordinated care for members of the Armed Forces who are
survivors of sexual trauma. Such standard shall include informa-
tion provided to members of the Armed Forces and coordination be-
tween the staff of the Departments. This section would also require
the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to provide a report
to the appropriate committees of Congress not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act regarding the avail-
ability of residential treatment programs for survivors of sexual
trauma, including barriers to access for such programs and re-
sources required to reduce such barriers.
Section 547—Policy on Separation of Victim and Accused at
Military Service Academies
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, the Secre-
taries of the military departments, and the Superintendent of each
military service academy, to prescribe in regulations a policy that
minimizes contact between a cadet or midshipman who is an al-
leged sexual assault victim and a cadet or midshipman who is an
alleged perpetrator of sexual assault, to the extent practicable,
while allowing both individuals to complete their course of study
with minimal disruption and privacy protections in place. This sec-
tion would also require the Secretary of Defense ensure that the
policy developed under subsection (a) does the following: protects
the alleged victim; allows both the victim and accused to complete
their course of study with minimal disruption; protects the privacy
of the accused and victim; and, minimizes the burden on the al-
leged victim when separating the victim and accused.
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Section 548—Safe-to-Report Policy Applicable across the Armed
Forces
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, in consulta-
tion with the Secretaries of the military departments, to prescribe
regulations for a safe-to-report policy that would allow alleged vic-
tims of sexual assault who may have committed minor collateral
misconduct to report sexual assault without fear of receipt of dis-
cipline for such collateral misconduct, absent aggravating cir-
cumstance.
This section would also require the Secretary of Defense to de-
velop and implement a process to track incidents of minor collat-
eral misconduct that are subject to the safe-to-report policy.
Section 549—Question in Workplace and Gender Relations Surveys
regarding Prosecutions of Sexual Assault
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to include,
not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
in the covered surveys a question regarding whether a member of
the Armed Forces would be more willing to report a sexual assault
if prosecution decisions were made by lawyers and not com-
manders.
Section 549A—Pilot Program on Prosecution of Special Victim
Offenses Committed by Attendees of Military Service Academies
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to create a
pilot program for the prosecution of attendees at the military serv-
ice academies who are charged with special victim offenses no later
than January 1, 2021. The pilot program creates an Office of the
Chief Prosecutor located within the Office of the Secretary of De-
fense, and the Chief Prosecutor will make binding recommenda-
tions on the convening authority for all special victim charges pre-
ferred against an attendee of the military service academies.
Section 549B—Report on Status of Investigations of Alleged Sex-
Related Offenses
This section would require that a report be provided to the con-
gressional defense committees not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act on the status of investigations of
alleged sex-related offenses.
SUBTITLE F—MEMBER EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND TRANSITION
Section 551—Counseling in the Transition Assistance Program re-
garding Sexual Assault, Sexual or Gender Harassment, and Inti-
mate Partner Violence
This section would require Transition Assistance Program classes
to contain information on care provided by the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs for survivors of sexual assault, sexual or gender har-
assment, and intimate partner violence.
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Section 552—Establishment of Mentoring and Career Counseling
Program
This section would amend chapter 107 of title 10, United States
Code, by adding a new section that would require the Secretary of
Defense to establish a mentoring and career counseling program
with evaluation metrics. The section also would require an interim
report to be submitted not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act describing the program, and a report to be
submitted on October 1, 2021, and annually thereafter for 3 years,
on the evaluation of the program.
Section 553—Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center
This section would amend section 2168 of title 10, United States
Code, to permit the Defense Language Institute to confer Bachelor
degrees, in addition to Associate degrees, to graduates that meet
the appropriate requirements for that degree.
Section 554—Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center
This section would authorize the Defense Language Institute
Foreign Language Center to confer a Bachelor of Arts degree in for-
eign language upon any graduate who fulfills the degree require-
ments.
Section 555—Increase in Number of Permanent Professors at the
United States Air Force Academy
This section would increase permanent professors at the United
States Air Force Academy from 23 to 25.
Section 556—Information on Nominations and Applications for
Military Service Academies
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to stand-
ardize, collect, and analyze information on the demographics of ap-
plicants to military service academies.
Section 557—Transformation of the Professional Military
Education Enterprise
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to provide a
comprehensive assessment on the Department’s Professional Mili-
tary Education enterprise with recommendations to ensure align-
ment with the National Defense Strategy.
Section 558—College of International Security Affairs of the
National Defense University
This section would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from elimi-
nating the College of International Security Affairs, nor the Joint
Special Operations Master of Arts, without providing Congress an
assessment of the impact such action would have on United States
interests related to counterterrorism and asymmetric warfare.
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