Chair norcross good morning. If the member is experiencing technical difficulties, they should contact staff for assistance. I would like to turn to my opening remarks. We believe we have until 11 00 or maybe quarter of, but we will stretch that as far as we can and we appreciate you working with us. First of all, i would like to welcome the principal civilian deputy secretary of the navy. And the commanding general for marine combat corps command. Thank you for being with us today. I look forward to this discussion. It is important we acknowledge the context of this years marine corps modernization budget requested three years ago budget request. Three years ago, there was an orientation to better align the marine corps with challenges posed by today and tomorrow. Certainly anybody who is reading any defense news, there is plenty to be said about that. Over these three years, congress has found the marine corps modernization strategy has been stable, affordable and achievable. Accordingly we have demonstrated our support. However, modernization is not without challenges or risk. There are programs within and outside the jurisdiction of this subcommittee that certainly merit continued scrutiny. At todays hearing we will specifically focus on a rotary aviation and ground systems. Which across the Marine Corps Program appear generally in good shape. Particularly interested to hear from our witnesses, their assessment and impacts on equipment and munitions in support of the conflict in ukraine. We also look forward to hearing their thoughts on modernization management, the use of new acquisition authorities intended she would accelerate Research Development and the acquisition process. Finally, we look forward to hearing updates on specific programs such as the ch53k, the amphibious combat vehicle and tactical network, longrange antiship fires and more. Much to cover and we would like to yield to my partner on tactical air and land, from missouri. Rep. Hartzler thank you mr. Chairman. I would like to thank the witnesses for being here today and your dedicated service to our country. Three years ago, commandant berger introduced a plan to radically and aggressively redesign the marine corps into a more lethal force better prepared to defeat threats. One of the most commendable aspects of the plan is the marine corps proposed paying for and resourcing the majority of the change from within. The marine corps has continued to live or on their promise to transfer to more capable systems in a sustainable, affordable and achievable way. The majority of programs have remained on track and on budget, and this has not been lost on congress. I look forward to a robust conversation about the current status of the marine corpss design and implementation and the systems necessary to yield the marines with the capacity for success. As for congress and specifically this committee, we have demonstrated support for this program and the strategy the commandant has placed in front of us. I commend the marine corps leadership for their dedication and hard work to continuously reassess modernization, Investment Priorities and reallocate already limited resources to fund the development and procurement of essential defense requirements and capabilities necessary to build a more lethal defense force. As we discussed, the future modernization of the programs, i would like witnesses to identify what risks the marine corps is accepting in the shortterm in order to keep planned modernization programs affordable and on course to meet the mid to longterm defense requirements of creating a more lethal, resilient and agile force able to compete, deter and win against future threats from peer competitors and rogue actors. Im also interested in the marine corps assessment of how a flat helpline and the resulting imposition of cuts and decreases to lower Priority Programs and investment accounts affect the health and stability of your modernization strategy, as well as the Industrial Base that supports it. Lastly, the Defense Budget request did not factor in russias invasion of ukraine or the ongoing response by the u. S. And allies to provide vehicles, munitions, missiles, and other military equipment to Ukrainian Forces in the fight against russia. Today i hope our witnesses can inform us on how these missile and equipment transfers have affected u. S. Stockpiles and whether you are getting what you needed through the various supplemental appropriations to fund these operations, replace vehicle and equipment transfers, and replenish stockpiles. If there is additional funding or authorizations we can provide to get after replenishing some of these now and avoid the need to continue funding supplemental through 2023, to restore your depleted capabilities, we need to be having this critical discussion now. I think the chairman if organizing this important and timely hearing and i yield back. Chair norcross thank you. Again, i want to mention that what you have been doing with the limited funds and redirection of those items that are the highest priority is not lost on this committee and what you are doing. It is much appreciated. Not to suggest there arent things that are of concern, but i think generally we are headed in a very good direction. I think you will hear that, speaking for myself and generally, we certainly believe it. Mr. Stefany, great to have you back. Mr. Stefany chairman, ranking member, distant wish members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to speak on the fy 23 budget request for marine corps modernization. During this hearing you will hear the marine corps has undertaken an aggressive modernization of its programs over the last five years sorry, three years. We will ask lane why the modernization was required while emphasizing the fundamental mission of the marine corps to be the most ready when the nation is least ready has not changed. The marine corps will continue to serve as a force of readiness, prepared to answer the nations call whenever and wherever that may be around the globe. As we watched the events unfold in ukraine, it is clear more for warfare is changing. Advance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, antiarmor fires have proven to be very effective in combat operations. It is evident we cannot stand still. The initiative recognizes this new reality, focusing on more capable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms and smaller systems for our ground formations. Additionally, the marine corps is investing in the research and development of its future munition, which we call organic precision fires. We are using acquisition authorities for this program and other force design programs that will allow us to rapidly develop prototypes and demonstrate new capabilities. Speeding the deville speeding the delivery of those capabilities to marines. The marine corpss top priority remains the ship interdiction system, a groundbased antiship Missile System. We have successfully conducted two tests most recently in august 2021, and are currently conducting develop metal and operational assessment ovens for the system. I believe it will have an immediate effect on the operational environment when it is deployed in 2023. The fy 23 budget request continues a pattern of investing in successful programs that will make a difference in future conflicts. This includes the ground air task oriented radar, currently supporting nato operations. The amphibious combat vehicle, which has just met its mark for mobility, protection and safety, and will deploy with marine platoons later this year. And the joint light tactical vehicle, the modern ground vehicle that will replace legacy humvees the next several years. The marine corpss forward posture is lying on ground, aviation and surface mobility. Rotary wing platforms play critical roles within force design, providing maneuverability, targeting, flexibility and persistent sustainment. We have completed Operational Testing of the ch53k heavylift helicopter and last month declared initial operator capability of that aircraft. The fy 23 budget includes a request for block by authority for fy 23 and 24 aircraft production with projected savings of 120 3 million over purchasing one year at a time. We have also reached ioc for the president ial Helicopter Program in the last year and are starting the white house commissioning efforts. The success of the Navy Marine Corps team to be ready to answer the nations call is rooted in being Forward Deployed. This readiness provides options and decision space for our Senior Leaders such as yourself. The Navy Marine Corps also helps incidents from becoming crisis, or crisis from becoming a conflict. We are confident the programs in our marine corps portfolio are achievable, affordable, and will make our marines more successful. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today and for your strong support of marine corps modernization. We look forward to your questions. Chair norcross thank you. Lieutenant, you are recognized. Mr. Stefany that was one statement for all three of us. Sorry about that. So repeat the same, right . [laughter] chair norcross thank you for your statements. Certainly this gives us more time for questions. You started one of your statements talking about ukraine and what weve been witnessing, and the impact particularly of the javelins and the stinger to a lesser extent, at least in this area. Given the performance come and let us a tough word to suggest in the russian vehicles in ukraine, the assessment of what you are witnessing, both of the lack of protection in some ways of the armor of russia come and the ability for ukraine to use the missiles, particularly the javelin to decimate much of armor. What impact it might have on our existing fleet of vehicles and the future . If you could comment on that. Yes, sir. Thank you for the question. I wanted to comment on the continued support about support from the subcommittee. They key. Thank you. First of all, we exercise caution to draw conclusions too soon. One of the things to consider about, just as an overarching, to frame the discussion, the russian tactics and procedures, it seems like they are not there. We use combined arms. There is an inherent amount of protection and safety in the way we employ our forces as a task force. Specifically to the weapons systems, i believe our nation makes some of the best year on the planet. I dont think it, i know it. It proves itself time and again, from the soviets being thrown out of afghanistan, they said there was no change in tactics, but there was a stinger. That is a case in history and i think we are bearing it out again. I think the armor issue of character warfare is changing quickly in front of us and we are seeing where just wrapping yourself in a bunch of armor that requires a lot of fuel and sustainment is not necessarily going to make you safe and effective on the battlefield. Sir, i think also what i would add is the distributed nature of how the ukrainians are operating and the benefits seen in operating in that manner is very insightful and instructive, and the direction the marine corps is going to validate in some ways the approaches we have taken their, from taken there. You talk about sins and make sense, and how that allows you to be more effective in the battle space and i think we are seeing some of that from those operations as well. Which flows directly across to the armor and javelin being able to do the targeting activity up front. Many good lessons and i would say equally, we need to make sure we learn the right lessons. What counter affect are the russians using or not out there, so we make sure we put Resilient Systems that can survive any battle space. Chair norcross thank you. Im going to say for a moment this line about what we are learning from ukraine, we are shipping a lot of systems and weapons in addition to humanitarian aid to ukraine and the marines have been part of that drawdown. What am going to ask is, from your perspective, that assessment of risk versus what we have available to us, both from operational capabilities, but also in terms of what we are shipping, what do we need to have available to us to resupply in particular . Because of the change in your operating concept. What was less number . 5500 javelins, that is a rough number, have been provided. What the impact is on the marine corps. I think most of those weapons would be in the generals area. Lt. Gen. Heckl the marine corps has supplied first the comment about when this budget request was not constructed with the supply to ukrainians in mind. That is an issue, you are exactly right. Second and third, we have provided approximately 1000 javelin Missile Systems and approximately 1000 stinger Missile Systems to ukraine. They are critical to be resupplied for us. And i would look to mr. Stefany if there are Industrial Base concerns. Mr. Stefany the 3. 4 billion is not enough to resupply, so we look forward to your committee and the larger congress and the larger funding effort for the supplemental. But we do have a little bit of money and we are starting to recharge that line right now. Chair norcross thank you. Obviously we are waiting eagerly for the latest to pass through the other house and get that moving, but certainly there is nothing unique to the mariness javelins and stingers not facing the other services. I just want to shift a little bit to the ch53ks, which are moving along, and talk about the brownout issue. Lieutenant general ys, we have wise, we heard a lot about changes along the lines. Can you tell us where you are now and going forward, the risks we are looking at in the present configuration . Lt. Gen. Wise certainly. On the 53k i think the light is just a little dim, sorry. For the 53k, the initial assessment was very early in the test process. I would answer it into ways, because we addressed it from multiple angles. The 53k, when we start the test ovens, we start at the heart of the envelope and workout. The test ovens are limited, so time limitations the tests are limited, with time limitations. We validate that we got the envelope are right. Some of the limitations were based on the initial envelope limitations. What we have found since then is a couple of things on the equipment side. One is the diagnostic capability of this airframe is a spectacular. The pilot can get a realtime Engine Performance capability readout to make realtime decisions on how the engines are performing regardless of the environment, including brownout conditions. So that is part of it. It has actually been expanding the envelope much lighter w ider than those initial assessments indicated. Also, the automation on the airframe. It is designed to allow the pilot to get the airframe into even the worst brownout conditions and on the ground safely and minimize its time in particulate matter, which also negates the issues we have with, potential issues with brownout conditions. So far since then, we have demonstrated in the worst brownout conditions, the aircraft has performed for 21 minutes in the worst brownout conditions with zero degradation of the engines. It points back to the initial test parameters can be taken in the wrong way. We purposely limit it until we prove ourselves correct as we go out. But it has been performing billion lee. Their multiple systems on board we have been performing brilliantly. Chair norcross we talk about acquisition quite often. What are we doing right or wrong. On this one, you have asked for the block by authority rather than multiyear. Can you explain why the block buy rather than multiyear . Mr. Stefany a multiyear is still in our plan, our plan is after the two year block buy to do a multiyear procurement after that. The reason we are not doing it now is the criteria in the statute to be able to have a proven design, proven manufacturing so we can have an estimate. We did not have that at the beginning of the process. We decided we would get that data and then we would be able to provide it to you and the cape to do the analysis for a multiyear starting two years from now. Chair norcross its more it is more the data. Chair norcross but you want to get it to the chain that this is coming . Mr. Stefany we can buy two years of equipment at once and get the five year spun up and get chair norcross to full speed. Incredibly important after get to full speed. Chair norcross incredibly important after the pandemic. Rep. Hartzler back to the depleted stocks and supplementals that have been through. If the Senate Approves the bill that was passed in the house, will that be adequate or will you need more in fy 23 ndaa . Mr. Stefany for what we know right now and what we project, that would be adequate. The work continues on and request for drawdown material, it could change over time. Right now we believe it is sufficient for what we can project going forward. Rep. Hartzler please keep us posted on that. As it relates to the industrial phase, this situation in the ukraine and global allied mobilization providing support by way of equipment and munitions have shone a light on issues with our Industrial Base and supply chain. How are you working with partners in the military Industrial Base supply chains to mitigate and fix these issues . Mr. Stefany very close partnership. Stinger and javelin are made with partners in the army and air force. We are working with, together with industry, recognizing Something Like javelin is a little more modern and able to scale easier. Stingers we will have to go back, probably not more authority but we will need more Industrial Base money to get them to high enough production level they can restock in time. That is an ever we are working with the army and we will certainly come back to this committee when we get those results. Rep. Hartzler when you anticipate that to be . Mr. Stefany i will have to take that for the record and get you that. Rep. Hartzler we need this answer yesterday so we can produce stingers again or shift to another munition. Navy that another country has perfected maybe that another country has perfected. Are there any changes that need to be made in our strategies to get over these programs of long wait times, shortfalls and material obsolescence . Mr. Stefany i think between the authorities we have and defense production act of authorities, i think we hav