US lawmakers propose measures to strengthen air and space defense capabilities.
A provision in the House’s fiscal 2024 defense policy bill would require both the Navy and Air Force secretaries to submit alongside their annual budget requests “development and technology maturation progress reports” for the Next Generation Air Dominance program and the complementary effort for collaborative combat aircraft. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., who chairs the House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, said he wants to ensure one technology doesn’t fall behind, and potentially lead to bad decisions for other components. Wittman said the Navy must set its requirements beyond simply seeking a carrier-based fighter.