Hearings to examine the Department of Energy's atomic energy defense activities and Department of

The hearing will come to order. Welcome to our distinguished witnesses this afternoon, and thank you for appearing before us today and for your testimony. For the first time in our history, the United States faces the challenge of simultaneously deterring two nuclear peer adversaries. Russia and China continue to modernize and diversify their nuclear forces, with China modernizing at a breathtaking pace that has consistently exceeded our estimates. For years, this committee has heard from the Department of Energy and Defense that our own nuclear modernization efforts are the number one priority. However, that rhetoric has too often failed to be backed up by action. This was the primary reason that this subcommittee pressed for the creation of a new Assistant Secretary of Defense for nuclear matters, who would be responsible for both nuclear policy and nuclear programs. And I am pleased to have Doctor Kadlec with us today to discuss this new role. Thankfully, the departments of energy and defense are starting to turn the corner and are making substantive progress with nuclear modernization. Today, we welcome two panels of witnesses. Our first panel, we have Doctor David Beck from the National Nuclear Security Administration, Mister Timely Timothy Walsh from the Department of Energy, and Admiral William Houston from the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. I am pleased to see that the President's FY twenty-seven budget request includes a significant increase in funding for NNSA, in particular, the weapons activities account. These additional resources will be critical to supporting weapons modernization programs planning for future systems and recapitalizing our nuclear enterprise. On our second panel, we have General Dale White, the Air Force Direct Reporting Program Manager for critical major weapons systems. General Steven Davis from Air Force Global Strike Command. Vice Admiral Johnny Wolf from Naval Strategic Systems Program, and as I mentioned earlier, the Honorable Robert Kadlik, Assistant Secretary from Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical and Biological Defense Policy and Programs. I look forward to hearing the testimony from our witnesses today and I appreciate your efforts to move nuclear modernization forward. With that, Senator King, you are recognized for any remarks.

Thank you. First, I wanna thank our witnesses today for joining us. This is an annual Strategic Forces subcommittee hearing in preparation for our national defense authorization bill later this spring. There's so much to be discussed, I'm gonna keep my comments uh pretty short. First, I want to acknowledge that this is Vice Admiral's uh Wolf's last formal appearance before this subcommittee. I'm sure he's terribly sad about that uh milestone, uh but uh he's been the Director of the Navy's Strategic Systems program since two thousand eighteen, eight years. Uh, you have been responsible, Admiral Wolfe, for the cradle to grave development of the Navy's uh fleet ballistic missile program. You've been a friend and truly a trusted advisor to this subcommittee. And I want to thank you and acknowledge uh thirty-eight years of service. I look forward to hopefully promptly working with your replacement, uh, given the tremendous responsibility that this program entails. This is unique hearing in that it combines the defense nuclear programs that's at the Department of Energy with those of the Department of Defense. The NNSA is the busiest since it's been in the nineteen eighties in meeting Department of Defense requirements, while at the same time modernizing Manhattan-era production facilities. And I've been to some of those facilities and uh I can honestly say they're some of the fewer the few There are few facilities in our government that are older than I am, and those meet that criteria. Likewise, the Department of Defense is conducting a once in a generation modernization of our triad. Once in once in several generations, I would say. At the same time, ensuring the existing triad of ICBM submarines and bombers can remain safe, secure and effective as the bedrock of our national defense deterrence policy, with two near-peer adversaries, Russia and China. I will want to know what issues you face in maintaining the existing delivery systems, many dating to the sixties while uh like NS NS A conducting a multi-decade long modernization of our ICBMs bombers and ballistic missile submarines. I just came from an intelligence briefing and without revealing a thing that's classified I can say that the Chinese uh concentration and acceleration of their nuclear armament effort is uh something to be taken extremely seriously and only reminds us of the importance of deterrence which as I said is the mainstay the cornerstone of our defense strategy it's worked for seventy five eighty years and is something that must be maintained it is our best way to keep the peace Mister Walsh I haven't forgotten you uh, you've one of the most complicated programs of all in cleaning up uh former nuclear weapon production sites. At Hanford alone there are fifty-five million gallons of nuclear waste, a hundred and seventy-seven storage tanks near the Columbia River. I want to know how you are proceeding on this effort. Again, I appreciate our witnesses joining us and look forward to the testimony. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator King. Uh, but at this time I'd like to recognize the members panel for their opening statements. Mister Beck, you are recognized.

Thank you. S- uh, Chairwoman Fisher, Ranking Member King, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today with my esteemed colleagues. America's nuclear deterrent is the ultimate guarantor of our freedom and the final backstop against aggression. Today, the stability that deterrent provides is under direct and accelerating threat. Russia and China are engaged in an unprecedented nuclear build-up that is rapidly eroding America's strategic advantage. But under President Trump, President Trump leadership, NSA is responding with urgency, agility, and determination to strengthen deterrence. Our top priority is clear, modernization of the nuclear stockpile to meet the n- US nuclear deterrence objectives. We are executing the full program of record ahead of current schedules. We are exercising the capability to rapidly prototype new weapons. We are surging production of plutonium pits, uranium components, high explosives, and other critical materials. And we are enhancing our critical skills workforce while rebuilding the aging infrastructure that underpins our entire enterprise, faster, smarter, and at lower cost. To drive these results, the Office of Defense Defense Programs has issued sweeping transformation objectives to our laboratories, plants, and sites in addition to our extensive baseline program. These are not incremental tweaks. They are fundamental shifts in culture, technical execution, management processes, and accountability. We are demanding results from ourselves and our partners across the enterprise. Over the next three years, these changes will deliver some of the NSA's most significant achievements in decades. Warheads for new delivery systems delivered ahead of schedule. Demonstration of next generation hard and deeply buried target defeat capabilities. Unprecedented confidence in the reliability of our aging stockpile. Discipline timely production restored across the complex. Infrastructure projects completed faster and cheaper. A hundred plutonium pits manufactured for the future stockpile. We are overhauling the way NNSA executes capital construction. We are placing the right leaders in charge, aligning authority with accountability, transparently measuring progress, adopting commercial best practices, streamlining acquisition, accepting prudent risk, and cutting through overly burdensome regulations. The goal is simple, deliver critical projects on time and on budget to support the deterrence mission. We are already seeing major progress. Weapons programs are ahead of schedule and the NSA continues to deliver on time to the Department of War. Pit production at Los Alamos has surged significantly in FY twenty twenty six. The LAP four project at Los Alamos realized three hundred percent efficiency over prior three year average performance. Uranium processing facility is nearly complete with first castings now planned for twenty twenty eight and overall commission accelerated. Rapid capability prototypes are being executed. Tritium production continues to ramp up and enabling more agile stockpile options, the lithium production facility acquisition strategy has been overhauled for modular commercial speed construction. Maintaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent is not just important, it's the United States' most urgent national security imperative. Working closely with the Department of War, NSA will deliver. The significant budget increases that NSA has received highlights the growing requirements of deterrence. With this tw- FY twenty twenty-seven budget request, we are asking the Congress to make further investments needed to deliver peace through through strength, atomic strength, against determined adversaries who respect only capability and resolve. Thank you for the opportunity to appear to appear before you today. I look forward to your questions.

Thank you, Mr. Beck. Welcome, Senator Secretary Walsh. Uh, you are recognized for your opening statement.

Chairwoman Fisher, Ranking Member King, thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today as the Head of Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management. As an Arm Army veteran, I'm grateful for your dedication to our nation's security and the vital work you do. With President Trump's fiscal year twenty twenty-seven budget, our mission is clear. We are putting Americans first by cleaning up environmental legacy sites, and protecting our communities. Our focus is on transforming former nuclear sites into centers for advanced energy and innovation, helping drive down electricity cost and create new opportunities. Environmental management supports the Department of Energy's three core pillars. First, we work with NNSA and naval reactors to clean up legacy nuclear waste sites and make room for new national security missions. Second, we clear space for cutting-edge research at our national labs. Third, we champion energy dominance and re-industrialization, leading to job creation and strengthening our national security. We are delivering results rapidly by accelerating clean-up, restoring sites, and revitalizing local economies. Our twenty-forty vision is to turn major legacy sites into hubs for nuclear energy, advanced manufacturing, and AI infrastructure, saving time and billions of dollars on our clean-up mission. By leveraging risk-based approach and AI, we are finding the best technical solutions to speed up clean-up and reduce risks. Affordable, reliable energy is essential for our prosperity. At Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Clean now, cleaned land now supports uranium enrichment, fuel fabrication, and development of small modular reactors, creating jobs and solutions for America's energy needs. In South Carolina, the Savannah River site is restarting H Canyon to reprocess used nuclear fuel and plutonium for advanced nuclear reactors saving the taxpayers three hundred and fifty million dollars. In Nevada and Idaho, our cleanup and facility upgrades support nuclear development and national security priorities. Our core commitment remains to protect people and the environment. With cleanup completed at ninety-two sites, we are focused on the remaining fourteen sites. The twenty-twenty-seven budget shows our strong commitment to safely advancing our mission, turning liabilities into opportunities for security, energy, and jobs. Thanks to congressional support and industry partnerships, we are addressing the impacts of past nuclear programs and evolving to be a results-driven organization that prior- prioritizes environmental protection and public health. Our work lays the foundation for safer, cleaner, and more prosperous communities nationwide. We look forward to working with Congress to advance our progress, strengthen national security, and support affordable American energy. Thank you for your service to our nation. God bless our military and God bless America.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Admiral Houston, welcome. Good to see you. Uh, you are recognized for your opening comments.

Chairwoman Fisher, Ranking Member King, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. Your continued support for the naval nuclear propulsion program is essential to the maritime dominance delivered by the United States Navy, nuclear power submarines and aircraft carriers. Everyday nuclear power warships are conducting operations in demanding environment. They operate with a forceful backup of the naval reactors' technical experience, robust infrastructure, and an unrelenting pursuit of improving our edge. Maritime operations with today's nuclear fleets are the results decades of investment in research and development of materials, refined procedures, and adherence to the highest standards. As I have in past testimony, I want to assure you that the funding request before you is a result of a rigorous and demanding look at our current and future operations that provide the nation with its unmate- unmatched capability. This year, Naval Reactors will prioritize three carri- three key areas and two priority projects. First are people. The people within the naval nuclear propulsion enterprise are essential to management and oversight of important work we perform for our nation. Second, we continue our intense focus on research and development of technologies that reduce overall cost savings, shorten construction timelines, and consistently enhance fleet capabilities. Finally, we'll modernize and sustain the critical infrastructure through our der- dedicated DOE laboratories. I'm also seeking your continuous for two national priority projects. The first is finalizing development in fiscal year twenty-seven of the Columbia class ballistic missile submarine reactor plant. The life of the ship core now entering serial production is directly supporting the Navy's number one acquisition priority and a key strategic asset. And the second project is the construction of the Naval spent fuel handling facility in Idaho, which will bring long-term reliable processing of spent fuel from the Navy's nuclear fleet well into the second half of this century. We continue to experience challenges with this project, but I have been to the site multiple times in the past year and progress is visible. In closing, your strong and enduring support enables Naval Reactors to succeed and continue to excel in every pursuit. I respectfully urge your continued support across our efforts this year. Thank you.

Thank you, Admiral, for your comments. Mr. Beck, I'd like to begin, uh, with a few questions for you. The FY twenty-seven budget request for weapons activities includes roughly thirteen percent increase compared to last year when we factor in the reconciliation funding. Can you explain to this committee and to the public why such an increase is necessary?

Senator, thank you for the question. We have the um unique situation worldwide with uh with our adversaries. We currently have seven uh stockpile modernization efforts underway. We just completed two, uh and I'll refer to my notes to make sure I get this exactly right. The the um WA eighty-eight, all three seventy was finished, the sixty-one twelve was completed, the sixty-one thirteen FP was comp- was completed, the first production unit, eighty dash four, eighty dash five, eighty seven dash one, and ninety-three. plus two phase ones that are underway. We also have a number of significant construction projects that are that are moving into construction some are nearly complete, but others are just beginning. That is a is a very heavy lift because we did not have not modernized our stockpile infrastructure for quite some time, uh, particularly focused on plutonium, uranium, lithium.

Thank you. And as you know, um, in the FY twenty-six NDA A, that formally established a rapid capabilities program within the NNSA. Many of us are concerned about the time that uh all of this is taking, so can you tell me uh how are these rapid capability teams enhancing NSA NNSA's ability to quickly address emerging mission needs and do so without disrupting

Senator, the thank you for that question, the the rapid capabilities effort is is well underway, we're working very closely with the Department of War, uh we've recently had a um a meeting at STRATCOM to prioritize what was needed for the war fighter, we're working on prototypes to support that, and and um conceptual designs at this

You're with NNSA.

Mm-hmm.

with the Department of Energy. Uh, you just mentioned, uh, working with the Department of War, working with STRATCOM. Uh, how are those relationships? Uh, is there is there open dialogue, good cooperation, uh, a seamless, um, a seamless transfer of information so that we can see things move faster?

Senator, yes, exactly, exactly that. I've worked very closely with Doctor Kadlik. Um, I w- I worked very closely with Admiral Correll at STRATCOM. And - and, uh, we're hav- we have a - a - an agreement where there are no surprises, that we're gonna be open and transparent with each other. And that's been executed quite well with them and their staffs. And the relationship is quite - quite good. I've been, uh, been very happy with how that has worked out. So, thank you for that question.

And um, pit production. As uh, as we're looking at uh Los Alamos, how are you going to ramp up pit production there until Savannah River is ready? Tell tell us a little bit about that.

Within a week of having been sworn in, I went to Los Alamos and we brainstormed ideas with with experts across the complex and and particularly the Los Alamos leadership and came up with uh hundreds of ideas, a couple of dozen of them really moved the needle on how to expedite pits. Uh we are positioned now to where what we thought we were gonna build in in this fiscal year will will significantly increase that number, we built those in the first half of the year. We have found some some small uh well significant things that we could do that to expedite production. We're uh reducing retention. or um improving retention at at uh in a in attrition of the of the workforce through uh some actions that we've made on compensation and and we've also made some changes in regulatory environment there. So we're seeing s- dramatic increases in the pit production rates and and we expect that to continue for the years ahead.

In this setting can you tell us um um just exactly where you are pit production and what was um the requirement uh i always call it the hopeful requirement and uh where we are now

our requirement by law is to make eighty pits in a year by twenty thirty and we we have set up a goal to make a hundred collectively through december of twenty eight which means that in order to get there from here we will have made um between thirty and fifty pits per year. We're moving closer to the objective. While it's a very big stretch to get to eighty a year, we have a chance to do so now, and we're demonstrating that the capability and the yield and - and the process, which I monitor monthly with - with metrics, is moving forward quite nicely. And - and we have uh the whole complex of tension. We've - we've worked with Savannah River and Los Alamos and a number of other members of the - of the enterprise to expedite pit production. It's going quite well. I'm happy to report.

Thank you. Senator King.

Thank you. Uh, Mister Beck, the NNSA and the national labs are the national repository for knowledge about nuclear weapons and and uh n- nuclear ma- all all matters nuclear. I was wondering if they're NNSA personnel or personnel from any of the national labs in Islamabad this week to advise our uh, negotiators on the, uh, issue of Iran's nuclear capability.

Senator, thank you for the question. I uh I'd I do not know. I don't I I I don't know the answer to that question, but I'll get back to you.

I I'd appreciate it. I I think that's something that, well, frankly, I think it's something you should know. I'd be it's hard for me to imagine that people from your department were detailed to these negotiations and you wouldn't know about it, but I will look forward uh to your response um the reconciliation plan last summer uh appropriated three point one billion to nnsa we're still waiting for a spend plan could we have that please

could i ask clear three point one billion for which

that was under the one big beautiful bill act uh three point one billion to nnsa

oh

and i just uh we would like to see what the what the plan is for allocating those funds

Uh, Senator, we have we have a plan for that. Um, I uh, we have delivered it in part. I don't know that we've given the complete uh, plan to you because there's been some questions about um, allocation with respect to letter of intent involved with that. Uh, we are we are working with your staff to to uh finalize that w- and as soon as we have that we'll pr- provide that to you I suspect within the next thirty days.

I appreciate that. Thank you. Um Mister Walsh, uh, I understand you've finally been able to operate the plant that takes low level waste, turns it into glass. Is that, is that in, in, in actual operation? Is it working?

It is, but a plant that was twenty-five years in the making and cost almost eighteen billion dollars today, which is a remarkable amount of money, uh, is starting up finally and working through the kinks to get to a full operational uh capacity which we think may take up to another year so we're currently pursuing a glass plus grout approach very similar to

that's that's what i was gonna ask that's a sort of a follow-up that's less expensive is that proving out

it is and we did last year a test bed initiative to prove it and it's not a novel technology we've been doing it uh across the complex and specifically at savannah river for the last ten years and ramped up that production now to where we're treating about nine million gallons of tank waste a year at Savannah River. We're hoping that uh in this next year we'll get through the Department of Ecology. We've been having good meetings with uh that. There was a lot of relationship building that we had to do there and and more importantly it's about leadership it's about setting expectation and outcomes and starting to move with a real sense of urgency.

So so are you are you bullish on this grout approach?

I am very bullish on it.

Thank you. Um, Oak Ridge, Y twelve site, is being uh, is being rebuilt, it's a very large facility, five hundred thousand square feet. Um, is that, are we uh, is is that, what what's the status of that, of that asset? Is that being, is that gonna be uh, taken down? That's that's a lot of space that could be used at Oak Ridge.

It is, we're uh, we've just completed

Good. Um, it is uh, we just completed alpha-two, which was one of the key buildings there, taken down and we're uh in the process of going through decontamination and decommissioning of the next series of buildings. That will be taken down uh in a similar fashion.

Thank you. Um, Admiral, uh, we haven't made uranium fuel, we haven't made fuel for nuclear submarines since nineteen ninety-two, but is it first my first question is is it now necessary to begin that process again given the expansion of the of the submarine fleet the aircraft carriers and also AUKUS what what what's the status where we where do we stand on fuel for these uh nuclear propulsion plants

yes thank you for that question so uh our uh highly enriched uranium is uh out into the twenty fifties our supply will last us at our current plan um we do need to develop a plan we are working very closely with n n s a and n a ten to develop that we have some pilot programs that uh uh uh n a ten can talk about further if you want but it's absolutely critical that we do start working on the development of enrichment capability um that will first be for the weapons program and then it will be for our program and absolutely critical aukus as far as enrichment we need for aukus um Uh, it is a very minor, we're talking months. We're to shift our a window. It's not a large impact on our program. And that is, uh, those figures I quote you for the twenty fifties is based on our current, which is one plus two plus our carrier build program.

So so you would you would characterize the fuel situation as serious, but not critical at this moment. But we'd need to begin the process to be sure that we don't have a gap. Is that a fair summary?

That is absolutely correct, Senator. And if you look at the NSA

You sure the record shows absolutely correct, Senator, that's a phrase we wouldn't know.

Yeah. Uh-huh.

Go ahead.

And I would add that that's part of the NNSA blueprint to develop that, and that's where we've put some of the larger pro- uh projects that we have to ensure that it's cost-conscious across uh some of the major projects that NNSA has to execute.

Thank you.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Senator King. Um, we'll ask a couple more questions while we wait to see if other uh members are going to come to the hearing. Uh, Admiral, when we've when we think of AUKUS and um really the big undertaking and the important undertaking that we see with AUKUS, and your part in that implementation, uh what sometimes people say why are we doing this? So what's in it for the United States? What are the Australians providing to us? Can, how would you respond to that?

Yes, thank you for the question, Senator. Um, it's a tremendous ally. It's a key partner in the Western Pacific for us, a key partner since every conflict, since the the, uh, middle of World War One, close and trusted, very close maritime relationship. I actually qualified on an Australian submarine for command. um those very close relationships they share a heavyweight torpedo they share a combat system the submarine rotational forces west the first phase of AUKUS will include it will include rotational basing in uh Stirling uh their west coast uh naval base um we are on track of that to be executed in the twenty twenty seven twenty twenty eight time frame there they make great progress and then it's condition based for them sovereign ready, for us to sell them Virginia class submarines. The Australians have, uh, performed exceptionally well in our training pipeline. Um, their sailors are on more than half of our fast attack submarines in the Western Pacific right now, performing superbly and contributing to us. They've contributed tremendous amounts, two billion dollars to our submarine industrial base. And for my program alone, it's over six hundred million dollars to expand. our infrastructure and help with American jobs and help drive for completion of our nuclear enterprise, our naval nuclear propulsion program. So an absolutely key partner, Senator.

Thank you, Admiral. Uh, Mister Secretary, when you were talking about the number of sites, uh, that have already been, uh, cleaned up, and you mentioned there were fourteen left, what most concerns you about those sites, and are you confident um that you will be able to uh remediate them

you know our biggest challenge right now is is hamford obviously uh it represents forty percent of our budget and i feel like we haven't had clear direction and leadership and alignment out there but under my leadership and the team we have in place now i'm confident that we're gonna finally tackle the tank waste mission out there. I feel like this is a really our breakout year. Uh, we're making great progress on taking down old, uh, gaseous diffusion plants at Portsmouth and Paducah, just like we did at, uh, K twenty-five in Oak Ridge. Progress is going really r- well in Savannah River. One of the cr- critical aspects to NNSA's mission and our completion mission really is keeping whip up and and running and operational some of the infrastructure there is uh vintage uh but still operational and we're repairing that and we're just coming out of a a shutdown uh last year we upgraded our hvac system uh for that uh we're we we have plenty of capacity to go but that is a critical uh aspect of our clean up mission that we'll stay focused on

Thank you. And uh, Mister Beck, and on NNSA's Enterpre Enterprise Blueprint concept, um, that's shaping the long-range planning for modernization for um our critical infrastructure. How's that going? Are you um you're n new to this position in this administration and you look at that uh, what are your feelings about it?

Well the the Enterprise Blueprint is a is a very good business tool to project modernization efforts over the next twenty-five years. Uh I'm personally a little frustrated that it's not fast enough and costs too much. So we're working um as I mentioned in my earlier remarks, working to fix that problem of speed things up using commercial standards where possible and uh try to provide things at lower cost. We we uh plan to have that updated within the next uh few months and will provide you uh as as we uh status as as we move forward. We've already made significant progress on LAP four and the uranium processing facility and uh lithium processing facility and we will we will be able to provide that update in within with the enterprise blueprint tool that we have.

We how would you define success? Is that being able to go faster at lower cost?

The success is to pr-

That part of that?

the success is to provide the Warfighter Department of War what they need when they need it.

Exactly.

And we have not yet done that and we we plan to do so. We are our we have the uh antiquated facilities that are in many in many cases that are still providing the the um materials that are needed but they're they have significant risk with them, and we try to we wanna reduce that risk and give the Warfighter what's needed when they need it.

Thank you, sir. Senator Kane.

Thank you. Mister Beck, uh, I'd like to just follow up on my question, um, if you could check in the next twenty-four hours as to whether or not there are NNSA or National Lab people advising our negotiators in Islamabad, and uh, uh, get us the answer to that before the close of business tomorrow, I'd appreciate it. That's a pretty straightforward

Sure, sir.

question.

That that uh that's that's a function handled by NA twenty, the non-proliferation office, and I know that they're I checked. We - we have people advising the people in there. I don't believe we have anyone there. But I will check and verify that for you within twenty-four hours.

I'd ap- I'd - I'd appreciate that. Thank you. Um. I know you're - we - we've talked a little bit about Savannah River. Can you give us a progress report and a - and a timing? What - how - how we expect that? You've talked about pits at Los Alamos. Uh, are - are we making progress converting the MOX facility? That's been that's been one of those projects that seems to always move out into the future.

Uh, y- yes, Senator, it is, and and uh I've been to Savannah River twice in the first three months of on the job here and and have toured the MOCS facility and and looked hard at uh at how we approach that. Uh, the first step was to go to Savannah River and and brainstorm how Savannah River could help Los Alamos make pits now. The next step will be at to go forward and try to figure out how to how to get this the uh Savannah river plutonium processing facility done faster uh right now it's projected to produce pits in twenty thirty five uh rate full rate production beyond that

Eisenhower retook Europe in eleven months

yes sir

twenty thirty four

our uh our intent is to dramatically improve the the timeline on that facility by changing uh the strategy and perhaps some of the leadership involved.

We'll look forward to updates on on that. Um Admiral I understand we're moving away in our training uh on the nuclear in the nuclear navy from actual uh uh actual units to simulators. Is that is that happening and can you discuss that? Is that gonna improve and make uh training more effective and faster?

Senator, uh, that is correct. Uh, we operate prototypes right now, which are full-scale, uh, submarines generally with, uh, actual reactors that we run. Uh, I would say that it's, simulators doesn't do it credit, they're full-scale models of submarines in their engine room, and we operate them and, uh, it's not with a actual reactor but the, uh, full-scale size and replica is so accurate that if I took an operator on there, they may not understand whether they're on an actual submarine or an actual training platform. The valves, uh, operate the same way, they, if you have steam come out of a valve, there'll actually be steam come out of this full-scale replica. And we are pursuing these, the first propulsion plant team trainer will go into operation in twenty thirty-five. We've completed the design on it. We already operate these at our prototype training sites. to supplement our training already and uh we will have three more built and they're all gonna be built in charleston they will give us better training than what we can get with our prototypes right now they will be higher up time and they will actually increase our throughput significantly

thank you thank you very much thanks for that initiative thank you madam chair

thank you senator king thank you gentlemen i appreciate you being here today uh if we have questions For the record, we will get those to you, and then you'll have a short time period to get the answers back to us. But thank you again, appreciate it. And with that I would welcome up our panel number two, please.

Including Adam of

Hmm?

including Adam of

Yeah.

Good guy.

He is. I like that, I like Adam of Houston. Thank you. I'd like to welcome the members of our second panel at the hearing today. Uh, we have uh, Secretary Robert Kadlik, who is the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical and Biological Defense Policy and Programs. General Dale White with the United States Air Force Director, Critical Major Weapons Systems, Department of the Air Force. General Stephen Davis, United States Air Force, Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command and Vice Admiral Johnny Wolf Junior, United States Navy, Director for Strategic Systems Programs, Department of the Navy. Welcome to all of you. Uh, let's begin with your opening statements. Secretary Kadlec, we will begin with you.

Thank you very much, Chair Fisher, and Ranking Member King. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today regarding US nuclear forces. I appear before you with a message that is stark and sobering as you kind of alluded to during your opening statement. For the first time in our nation's history, we will face the challenge of two deterring two nuclear peers, China and Russia, simultaneously. As well as regional powers with growing capabilities. This is not a hypothetical future problem, this is a now crisis. China's is engaged in a breathtaking and opaque expansion of its nuclear arsenal, while Russia, with the world's largest arsenal, continues to modernize its forces, integre- integrating new kinds of nuclear weapons into its strategy for coercion. Both adversaries have sophisticated theater nuclear weapons significantly outnumbering the US. Add to this challenge is North Korea, whose missiles now can reach the American homeland, The picture becomes alarmingly clear, we're in a new and more dangerous era. The twenty twenty strategic posture commission highlighted the inefficiencies and risks we've allowed to fester in our nuclear enterprise. For too long, we've operated under a business as usual model that reflected a benign security environment. Programs were delayed, hard decisions deferred, and taking risks were rewarded. Now we must flip that model, we have to act with urgency. while we s- while we take steps to accept risk appropriately to confront these challenges. Through the modernization and diversification of US nuclear forces and the recapitalization of our NC-three capabilities the President's FY twenty twenty-seven budget request prioritizes the nuclear deterrent as the foundation of America's defense, approximately five defen- five percent of the total budget. The modernization and diversification of our nuclear deterrent, our submarines, Our missiles, our bombers and MC-three is not a choice, but an imperative. As Secretary Haegstaff said recently, nothing else matters if we don't get this right. We must accelerate these critical programs wherever possible to deliver the next generation capabilities to the warfighter as soon as possible. We must also accelerate, slick amend, and develop additional theater nuclear forces. Such capabilities are essential to managing escalation and ensuring the United States is never subject to blackmail. Finally, we must supercharge our defense industrial base, returning the US to world's premier arsenal, capable of producing a scale and speed with unmatched quality. The cost of investing in our nuclear forces and supporting capabilities and infrastructure is significant. However, the cost of failure is where is a world where the risk of miscalculation, catastrophic conflict, is unacceptably high. That is a price we cannot afford to pay. We owe it to the warfighter, to the American people in our posterity, to ensure that our freedom remains, that our arsenal of freedom remains ready, reliable and resolute. The time to act is now. Thank you and I look forward to your questions.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary. General White, welcome. We would uh welcome your comments at this time. Thank you.

Chairwoman Fisher, Ranking Member King, and distinguished members of the subcommittee, on behalf of the Secretary of War, Honorable Pete Hegseth and the Deputy Secretary of War, the Honorable Steve Feinberg, I thank you for the opportunity to testify on the vital work of the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Critical Ma- Major Weapon Systems. The office was established by Secretary Hegs- Hegseth to provide urgent, unified focus on a select group of weapon systems, critical to the nation's defense. These programs, Sensital, ICBM, Minuteman-three ICBM, B-twenty-one Raider family of systems, F forty-seven CCA family of systems and VC twenty-five B. Require a higher level of leadership and operational urgency to ensure their timely delivery and execution. In alignment with the national defense strategy, the DERPAM's role is two-fold, to relentlessly prioritize the programs most consequential to the security and prosperity of the American people, and to drive the transformation of the acquisition process to equip the US military with the world's most decisive and lethal war fighting capabilities. Success demands on outcomes focused on outcomes focused culture that delivers capabilities to the war fighter at the speed of relevance, and this requires an accelerated pace and a transparent partnership with the industrial base. The core purpose of the DERPAM critical major weapon systems is to enable war fighters by delivering decisive capability at the speed of relevance. My mission is guided by three golden rules, empowered execution, Integration over independence and a revitalized relationship with the industrial base. Uh, empowered execution, program executive offices are fully empowered to execute with urgency under the Derpam concept. My role is to serve as their strategic champion, leveraging my authority to resolve complex cross-departmental challenges and dismantle bureaucratic obstacles in the process. Integration over independence. I function as the direct milestone decision authority for this portfolio, ensuring frictionless and absolute integration with the Department of the Air Force and other stakeholders. This streamlined structure and uh deliberately avoids replicating traditional oversight layers to accelerate decision making. Re- a revitalized industrial partnership. We're instituting a new paradigm of partnership with industry, moving beyond a transactional relationship to one built on transparency, collaboration, and shared accountability. We expect our industrial industry partners to embrace modular, open system architectures to foster innovation, create opportunities for emerging companies, and deliver superior performance at a lower cost. This portfolio directly underpins the twenty twenty-six national defense strategy and contains the critical capabilities that serve as the ultimate guarantor of our national national sovereignty. As the NDS inequivocally states, the United States should never, will never, be left vulnerable to nuclear blackmail. Two of the programs, B-twenty-one and Sentinel, are dedicated to modernizing nuclear surety, while a third, Minuteman-three, is focused on sustaining it until the replacement is fielded. Defending the US homeland is the bedrock of homeland defense as a robust and modern nuclear deterrent. With both China and Russia aggressively modernizing their nuclear forces, it is an absolute imperative that US modernization programs proceed with urgency. the B-twenty-one Raider and LGM-thirty-fiveA Sentinel are the essential guarantors of credible US nuclear deterrent for future generations. Investment continues to sustain the LGM-thirty Minuteman-three fleet, which remains on high alert twenty-four seven as a prompt and highly responsive retaliatory force. The cornerstone of the future bomber force, the B-twenty-one, is in its flight test campaign with the physical production adv advancing daily. This progress was further evidenced by the award of two additional low rate initial production lots, one in December of twenty twenty five and another in March twenty twenty six. And the first aircraft remains on track for delivery to Ellsworth Air Force Base in twenty twenty seven, with a planned fleet of at least a hundred aircraft and a recent agreement with Northrop Grumman to increase the annual production capacity by twenty five percent. As a land-based foundation of the nuclear triad, the department is firmly committed to ensuring Minuteman three force remain safe, secure and effective until Sentinel is fielded. Over two billion is allocated annually for operation sustainment, with crucial investments continuing at the Little Mountain test facility to modernize testing equipment that will also support the future of Sentinel program. The Sentinel program is advancing with clear purpose on a path to its milestone P decision by the end of twenty twenty six and initial operational capability in the early twenty thirties. Key milestones achieved to date include taking the first minute man silo off-line for transition in summer of twenty twenty five, assimiling the first three stage ground test missile and breaking ground on a prototype launch silo on February twenty-six. The first missile pad launch is scheduled for twenty-twenty-seven. The programs within the the portfolio sustaining Minuteman-three, accelerating the B-twenty-one radar, and executing Sentinel program are the bedrock of our nation's nuclear surety and sovereignty. And the successful and timely execution of these efforts sends an unequivocal message to our adversaries and allies. The United States, I thank you again for the opportunity to

Thank you, General. Uh, next, welcome, General Davis. Appreciate having you here today. We're ready for your comments.

Thank you. Chairwoman Fischer, ranking member King. It's an honor to appear before you today representing the men and women of Air Force Global Strike Command. I want to extend my sincere thanks to this committee and Congress for your continued support and specifically for your commitment to the Air Force's nuclear and conventional long-range strike strike missions. This committee recognizes the existential threats to our nation. we face the unprecedented challenge of deter- deterring two pure nuclear adversaries, China and Russia, who both proses- possess modern and diverse arsenals, while at the same time North Korea continuously attempts to expand and modernize its nuclear arsenal. The increasing coordination among these rivals underscores the urgent need for a capable flexible and modern nuclear force. Air Force Global Strike Command provides our nation's combat ready forces for nuclear and conventional long-range strike. Our highest priority is to deter conflict and, should deterrence fail, to win decisively. Today that mission is being executed at an ever-increasing operational tempo. Our bomber force, consisting of B-ones, B-twos, and B-fifty-twos, remain in high demand across multiple theaters. Over last year, the command has played pivotal roles in military operations, including Rough Rider, Midnight Hammer, Absolute Resolve, and more recently, Epic Fury. These missions have required long-duration conus-to-conus missions and overlapping bomber deployments. In Operation Epic Fury alone, Air Force Global Strike Command conducted over a hundred and fifty bomber sorties, forty-eight of which were round trip from the United States. These missions were a minimum of eighteen hours, in duration with those from the U. S. taking as long as forty hours. We have executed every tasking with precision and professionalism. However, these efforts have come at a cost borne largely by our airmen. We continue to deliver upon under e- ever-increasing strain and we are operating on tight margins, and your continued support is invaluable. To meet these no-fail missions, we must sustain our current forces while simultaneously modernizing our two legs of the nuclear triad and the critical nuclear command control and communication aircraft that connect them. This is a monumental task that includes the replacement of our aging weapon systems through the Sentinel program, the fielding of the B-twenty-one, the modernization of the B-fifty-two, as well as developing and delivering the survivable airborne operations center and the long-range stand-off weapon. Two of these systems, Sentinel and B-twenty-one, are deemed so important to the future of natural security that the Secretary of War created the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager who reports to the Deputy Secretary of War. In this new position, General White, with both Service and Department of War acquisition authorities, has significantly streamlined and accelerated acquisition decisions which provides the responsiveness to field these systems on time with the required capabilities. This unprecedented approach will be critical to delivering these twenty-first century platforms with the capabilities needed to stay ahead of ever-increasing threats. Nuclear deterrence remains a bedrock of our military strength and is foundational to the defense of our nation and our allies. Our conventional long-range strike capabilities are equally vital, providing the President with a full range of options to deter aggressions and, when necessary, defeat any potential adversary. Air Force Global Strike Command, along with Air Mobility Command air refueling aircraft, make the United States the only nation with the ability to conduct world-wide long-range strike missions any time or any place. Of course, none of this is possible without our striker airmen. They are our greatest strength in their dedication, determination and grit, often delivered in austere and harsh environments, are the real key to these remarkable capabilities. However, Air Force Global Strike Command and the Air Force Nuclear Enterprise remain at an inflection point critical modernization programs have begun and with stable and consistent resources we can reduce risk and build momentum we must continue t- continue to safely and securely operate legacy nuclear systems.

Thank you, General Davis. Admiral Wolf, first of all I'd like to thank you

Thank you.

for your service. And it has been a pleasure having you uh come before this subcommittee uh the last eight years, eight years. And uh the information you've provided me as Chairman or Ranking Member during that time has been invaluable. So I thank you for that, and you are recognized for your comments.

Thank you, ma'am. Chairman Fischer, Ranking Member King, it is an honor to be here today. I'd like to thank Congress for its continued support in providing the Navy with the resources required to execute our assigned mission. I'd like to g- begin by assuring you that the Navy's nuclear forces, the bedrock of our national security, are safe, secure, effective, and credible. As the Navy command that provides cost-effective, safe, effective, and secure sea-based strategic deterrence solutions, SSP is entrusted to provide cradle-to-grave life-cycle support to three critical programs. the Trident-two D-five strategic weapons system, the Navy's conventional prompt strike hypersonic program, and the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile program. These are three of our nation's highest priority acquisition programs, and with your support, they ensure the Navy is delivering peace through strength. SSP ensures the highest levels of readiness and modernization of the Trident strategic weapons system. As the most survivable leg of our nuclear triad, The ballistic missile submarine force provides an unyielding foundation for assured response against any adversary. That force stands at a critical juncture. Decades of strategic foresight have delivered an unparalleled capability. But to maintain our advantage in the face of evolving threats, we must build on these decisions and prioritize the modernization of our nuclear infrastructure and our industrial base. A strong domestic industrial base is the foundation of a credible deterrent. Using resources authorized by this committee, SSP is actively working to revitalize this national asset, ensuring the timely production and delivery of critical strategic weapons systems components while fostering American jobs and technological superiority. Our modernization needs cannot succeed without investing in research and development. investing in the critical skills for our workforce and the facilities needed to produce, sustain, and certify our strategic systems. Our infrastructure is also at an inflection point. Existing facilities are reaching their thirty-year recapitalization windows as we enter into a once-in-a-generation modernization of both the Trident strategic weapons system and our ballistic missile submarine platform. Over the past year, Navy has made incredible progress moving forward with development of the Sea Launch cruise missile nuclear, as the program moves at an extremely aggressive pace to deliver both a limited operational capability and an initial operational capability. SSP's mission, strategic deterrence, is critical to this nation. It's the foundation of the national security strategy, and is a top priority of our secretary of war. In order to accomplish SSP's sustainment and development missions, We must have trained, skilled employees on board. Systems do not design, test, and build themselves. People do, which is what makes our people our greatest asset. As the fourteenth Director of Strategic Systems programs, I am honored to represent them, and I have absolute faith and confidence in the safety, security, effectiveness, and credibility of our Navy's strategic deterrent due to the proficiency and professionalism of these dedicated service members and civilians who have made deterrence their life's work. The fifteenth director will inherit a legacy of proven success that will enable the command to grow and take challenges we have not yet begun to imagine. With continued congressional support and stable on-time funding, our Navy will continue to effectively defend our nation and preserve peace for future generations. This will be my last time sitting in front of this committee. I would like to thank you for your support of SSP and more specifically your support of me during my time as the Director. You have allowed us to accelerate these critical national programs. I am humbled and honored to have been entrusted to lead an organization so critical to our nation's security. I'm proud of the work of my team that I and I have accomplished over the last eight years that I have been Director of SSP and indeed, across my thirty-eight year naval service career. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today, and I look forward to your questions.

Thank you, Admiral Rolf. I'd like to start with you, sir, uh with questions. With um the FY twenty-six NDA, it directed the department and NNSA to provide a limited operational capability for Slicum N by twenty thirty-two. How's the Navy working in order to meet that timeline?

Yes, ma'am. Thank you for the question. Uh, we're doing extremely well. We have uh, we've taken on the challenge. We've stood up our program office. We're, we're building the workforce in partnership with NNSA. We've identified opportunities to do just that, accelerate where we wanted the program of record to be, to look at a limited operational capability. Um, I couldn't be prouder of the team, the way they're thinking differently about how we can get this critical technology into our war fighters' hands, even sooner than what you've asked us to do. But I would say the partnership and we and the fleet as well. Admiral Stief and I uh at sub-four are are lockstep in how we're not only gonna develop the capability but once it's there how they're gonna catch it, and actually deploy it when the time comes.

Thank you. Why is it important to have that? I always stress uh the gives the president options and um we have to move faster to get to get the president.

Yes.

those options.

Yes ma'am, absolutely. You're you're absolutely right. I mean, I think every option that we can provide as a department and within NSA to provide options to our decision-makers is absolutely critical particularly in this environment as we've heard with not just one but two strategic competitors um everything that we can do to put that capability in our war fighters' hands as quickly as we can is absolutely critical.

Thank you. Doctor, or I'm always used to Doctor Kadlec, Secretary Kadlec, good to see you, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Uh, I appreciated that your written testimony included strong support for the Slickman program and your comments on how it will, quote, complement our existing capabilities and provide the president a persistent survivable regional nuclear present presence without dependence on h h host nations, end quote. Um, I strongly agree that the president, uh, needs those options and I look forward to working with you and the Nuclear Weapons Council on this. I also wanna bring up a another topic, um, NC three. How's the department prioritizing that nuclear command control and communications and specifically, how's your office, uh, working with services to ensure that they are appropriately prioritizing that NC three modernization?

Well, Senator, I I would uh describe it as you have in the past, that it's the fourth leg of the triad, but really it's the first leg of the triad. It is the most important uh piece of the triad that we have, particularly when we consider to sys to to connecting the sustainment of existing systems to future systems, analog to digital. So it has the highest priority in my office, and quite frankly, thanks to the uh reorganization that was mandated by sixteen thirty five we've incorporated the NC three office into my uh into my uh uh oversight and uh we have a very uh capable individual Todd Shriver, Doctor Todd Shriver who's managing that and we're working through all these issues to basically get uh a functional review of this which was recently done at a four star level with Mister Duffy uh as the uh as Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and we'll be taking it forward to a uh a nuclear decision forum uh hopefully soon with our deputy secretary so we think that this is really key in light of not just uh the transition phase but the evolving threat landscape that we have to keep on top of this uh all the time and we'll we'll be working with the services individually and collectively as well as Stratcom which is the functional manager for the uh uh NC three enterprise.

Have you have you started working with services at this point in time, or is that in the future?

Ma'am, we have uh we've started uh mostly at the uh OSW level and with Stratcom I was on a call today with uh Admiral Carell talking about this issue, how can we bring more focus to certain elements, particularly around the future threat. Uh but we will be working down to the individual uh uh individual service level as well, ma'am.

Mm-hmm. Um at in future conversations we have, could you provide me with uh some more information on just um first of all specifically what services and what uh um what their focus is gonna be with regard to NC three?

Well just to just to topically I can just say as far as TACAMO and SAIC,

OK.

obviously with the Air Force and with the Navy uh with the uh with the development of the C uh C one thirty J's TACAMO is obviously the Navy program. and uh SAIC is a Air Force program but uh we are focusing on those two particular areas as well as looking class next, which is a STRATCOM Air Force program.

Right. Thank you very much. Sundar King.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think it's uh it's worth commenting and noticing that everybody said that their part of the triad was the bedrock. Uh and and I I think that's a good way to look at it and I hope you all continue to consider it in in that way. Um, uh, Secretary Kadlec, your your position was created last year, um, in order to consolidate responsibility for nuclear policy. One of my favorite maxims of management is one throat to choke. That's you. And the whole idea was to consolidate and bring together into one office all of these diverse issues of nuclear policy. I've heard rumors that Secretary Colby is building another office within his office on nuclear policy. Is there any any truth to those rumors? Is that something we are we back to splitting things up again?

Senator, I'm I'm not familiar with the rumor that you're uh you're offering at this point, and I do know that I work with and speak with uh Under Secretary Colby regularly on these issues. Uh, he is co-chairing with Admiral Carell uh a nuclear strategy review. I don't know if that sounds That may be

Perhaps that's the source of the rumors.

interpreted. However, we're participants in that, um, our office.

That's what I wanted to follow up. Do you,

Yes.

uh, I guess the question is, do you feel that the coordination and cooperation and, uh, and integration is, is working?

Well, it uh it's like anything a work in progress, but it is working and and we are advancing the cause here in terms of trying to address these issues. I think the nuclear strategy review is just a case in point where we're advancing this collectively between Stratcom, the war fighter, and and hopefully other uh CoComms in the future, as well as policy and our office in acquisition, to bring this all together into coherency that heretofore probably didn't exist.

Well that's that's exactly the purpose of your office, so pursue it with vigor as they say.

Well, so it's a size sixteen collar suit.

All right, good just just to advise. We've all d- talked today about the importance of the deterrent in order to protect the the the continental United States. But part of our deterrent is our extended deterrent and the so-called nuclear umbrella. My concern is that our allies may be losing confidence in that commitment, uh whether they're European or or in Asia. Um, I think that would be a great uh uh that that would be a a geo-str- a strategic mistake of a high order because we don't want more and more countries feeling they have to develop their own nuclear uh uh their own nuclear capacity that would lead to greater proliferation risk and other, other sort of destabilizing risks. Talk to me about and it bothers me, let me put a fine point on this, the unclassified version of the national defense strategy did not mention extended deterrence or our nuclear umbrella at all. Can you reassure me that this is still part of a uh US uh uh nuclear policy.

Senator, I can, and and extended deterrence has been a matter of public uh comments by Under Secretary Colby subject to Europe and and and I think in the case of how we vote with our feet uh we do have nuclear weapons forward deployed with our dual capable dual capable aircraft and work with our allies in that way. So that hasn't changed uh one iota at least in the current sense. And I think the key thing here is uh what has sometimes I think been confused with the idea of demanding that we have a strong conventional de defense with our allies in Europe and in Asia to ensure that our extended deterrence provides a backstop.

But that extended deterrence should still be there. We do not want every country in the world developing their own nuclear weapons.

Right. And and it's been explicitly stated that it is policy that

And that's a separate issue as I see it as as as as stepping up in terms of their

Yes, sir.

percent of GDP, et cetera. Um, General White, um, how are I know we could spend all afternoon on this, but there was a non-McCurdy breach in Sentinel. How how are we doing in getting back on schedule and getting to a place where we can have control of the budget and uh deliver the project before those, Minutemen, uh, threes age out?

Uh, thank you for the question, Senator. I I would submit to you that we're doing very well, as w- as we've had discussions numerous times. I think the progress is is very focused in a sense that a lot of the planning has been done, the restructure will be done in twenty twenty six and we'll enter the milestone B phase, and and and get that completed statutorily. But more importantly, getting everyone aligned on a vision of what we need to do. Cost estimation will be complete in the summer. We've already gone through some of the requirements process with some of the folks on the panel with here me with me here today. And then getting to a place like uh what we're doing with uh the the launch silo and actually having a prototyping effort that we just started in february additionally we're also working on the missile side and the ability to do our first pad launch in twenty twenty seven so the restructure is near complete uh milestone b will be done this year and then we'll have substantive process with prototyping on the silo side as well as on the uh the uh ground launch in terms of uh a pad launch for twenty twenty seven

i hope you'll give some thought to the to those to the structure of the contracts that are going to be involved. You were involved in the B twenty one project, is that correct?

Yes, sir.

I think that's one of the most successful defense contract uh acquisitions we've done in many, many years. And I hope that we can think about some of the lessons learned there to apply to this project in terms of sharing the risk on development, but having fixed price on actual implementation. So, uh, I think that's an important part of how this proceeds.

Yes, sir, and I think you'll find over time one of the first things I did was look deeply into the acquisition strategy whether it's the most effective approach as we enter that milestone B and we go through the process making sure we have the right structure in place that's gonna ensure we're gonna get the capability delivered to our war fighters.

Thank you all, and again, uh, Admiral Wolf, thank you so much for your your work and your work with this committee has been invaluable over the years and, uh, uh, fair winds in following seas, sir. Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Senator King. Admiral Wolf, can you provide us with an update on the life extension program for the Trident?

Yes, ma'am. Um, so we are, we are on plan. We, um, as we've worked through that, we're looking at what the right architecture's gonna be. We are actually looking at with, with, um, funding that this committee has given us to look to accelerate that program, to figure out how we can pull some of the testing to the left early. Um, as I said in my opening remarks, uh, getting this new workforce trained, getting them to learn, um, how to do this business. So, um, that's where we're at. We've gotten all th- all the milestones to date. Um, we

So it's on track?

Yes, ma'am, we are definitely on track.

For twenty, twenty thirty nine.

Yeah, well, so twenty thirty nine is when we deploy the first weapon on Columbia.

Are we on track?

Yes, ma'am, we are.

On twenty thirty nine?

We are definitely on track.

Okay.

Yeah.

Great, thank you. Uh, what do you think's the the biggest risks um so you can timely execute these um these milestones?

Yes, ma'am, I I think the biggest risk is making sure that we get, uh, as I said, the industrial base back up to where they can can actually execute this program at capacity. Um, and then on the government side, it really is understanding all the testing that we're gonna need to do. um, both from the pad and from the platform before we start deploying in twenty thirty nine. So that's what we're focused on right now is getting all of that capacity and getting all of the systems where they need to get so we can start testing.

Great, thank you. Uh, General Davis, can you, uh, provide us with an update on, uh, the SAIC program?

Absolutely, uh, Chairman Fischer, uh, the SAIC program is, uh, is, uh, past milestone B. Uh, it's fully funded in the FY twenty-seven budget. Uh, the team at, uh, Dayton, Ohio is working very hard. They've already acquired four aircraft, uh, in engineering, manufacturing and development that they're converting into the new SIAC platforms. Uh, we're expecting the first aircraft to show up, uh, at Omaha, which has been identified as the main operating base, uh, in the early twenty thirties. Uh, but that program is remaining on track, but obviously there's a lot of work to do between now and that time.

Are you gonna be able to prevent a um capability gap between naoc and say i

man we'll absolutely be able to keep naoc uh up and operating in its in its current configuration until then it's a challenge and it's a very expensive platform to maintain uh so any actions we can take that move say i forward and we're looking at a couple of those i i think will be worth the taxpayers money and once again i think the sooner we can recapitalize that uh the better off we'll be

thank you general white uh you've been in the role About five months?

Yes, ma'am.

Is that right? Uh, how do you think, um, the authorities that you that you've been given, how does that help you, uh, cut through all the bureaucratic red tape? Are we are we, um, giving you what you need, what we what we hoped would happen?

Well, thank you for the question, Senator. I I would say a resounding yes. I would say just some of the the major acquisition decisions I've made in the first uh several months uh we've probably cut the time by sixty to seventy percent uh a large reason for that is is uh as you've probably heard me state publicly is, I don't have a very large staff right now at last count I have twenty three people and the reason I have twenty three people is because there are thousands of people working these programs and what they did need is another extended layer of oversight so my staff is focused on expertise like uh strategic advisor which is um provides legal advice I have an expert in budget, expert in contracting, uh and I also have an operator as my deputy who is a uh former B two pilot, and has experience in global strike command. So that gives me the ability to support these programs. Uh as you know I have a vast experience in many of these, and so I have the ability to look in and see where they need help, number one, and number two, to be able to expedite decision making so that we can deliver these capabilities. And so I would say to this point, uh the authorities as you well know far exceed just acquisition. Um, but they've been a resounding success in allowing me to be able to have that freedom of maneuver within these programs.

And, uh, back to Sentinel. Uh, how, um, how are you ensuring that, uh, we're gonna we're going to have a capable management free until Sentinel's, um, going to be fully deployed?

Well, first and foremost, as you'll see in the twenty-seven budget, we resource it. Uh, that's that's step one, and we have done that. You'll also see an increase over time as we start getting more RDTNE. to get modernization programs in place to ensure that that system not only remains sustainable, but in an area where it's maintainable. So we'll upgrade those portions of the system that we need to along the way. And so you'll have my commitment and the commitment of my team to make sure we continue that. Um, and you'll see the Air Force, uh, standing with me side-by-side on making sure we get that done. So there's, there's certainly no confusion on the importance of making sure it's maintainable, sustainable, and online.

Well, I certainly appreciate the updates uh that you give Senator King and myself in classified briefings. Those are extremely helpful and it only helps in still confidence in uh the position you have, and that it that it is working and that we uh are able to move ahead. Um for General White and General Davis, how are you both working together, along with Ad- Admiral Corral? to ensure that Stratcom's requirements are gonna be met with all these programs.

I'll I'll lead off and then I'll turn it over to my good friend. So I think first and foremost, and it's just not Admiral Carell and and General Davis, it's also Doctor Kadlik. And so

Sorry to have left you out.

Yeah, the

No problem.

the the success of our ability to be seamless.

We should throw in Admiral Wolf as well.

You know

It's his last, it's his last year, you know.

It's your last one, Wolf.

We we we do work together actually with in in many areas.

Yes.

Yeah. And so the the idea is simply that we we operate a single mind and we're very well integrated. There's no gaps in seams. That's the first thing I said when I came on board, is my ability to for us, the four of us to work together on these major programs with B twenty-one and Sentinel especially is gonna be the foundation of my success.

And I would just say we have a routine battle rhythm where uh Admiral Corral, General White and I get together every two weeks. I meet with Admiral White every other week uh to discuss these programs. I would say past that I've had the opportunity to b work with both uh General White and Admiral Correll in previous jobs. So I have a personal relationship with both of them as well. So I think that keeps everything flat and allows us to have frank conversations uh about the needs of the program and to keep moving us forward.

The the alignment at this point, I would say, is as strong as it's probably ever been across all of these different positions and and if we have to maintain that to be able to execute the outcomes, we want.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Senator King, did you have other questions?

I just wanted to make an observation, cuz we're all talking sort of in detail. One of the issues we're facing in a, we're facing a difficult budget situation as you know. The deficit is now a, itself a national security issue, uh, that's gonna have to be addressed. It, the unfortunate truth is, though, that it's fallen to the lot of all of us to modernize the entire nuclear triad at once. Uh, probably in retrospect we should have been doing pieces of it over the last thirty or plus years, plus as we heard uh uh previously, we're having to modernize the the nuclear weapon production as well as the triad platforms. Uh, I refer to it as the as the pig in the budgetary python. It's a it's a lump that's moving through that we're just gonna have to swallow, uh, in order to maintain the basic bedrock of our national security strategy, which is deterrence. Deterrence consists of capacity and will. And our adversaries have to understand that we have both. And what you're working on right now is the capacity part. And I believe that's what's so important about the work that we're doing in Sentinel, in the B-twenty-one, and also in, in uh, Columbia. So, uh, I just, I, I think it's important to sort of s- look, look on this as a, as a bigger picture, uh, in terms of, of appropriations and, and and expenses, this is not something that will continue forever. We'll get, we'll get through these new programs. It is unfortunate from a budgetary perspective, we're having to do it all at once. But uh, it's no- nonetheless uh, so critical uh, to national security. So I wanna thank all of you for the work that you're doing. Secretary Kadlic, I, I really appreciate the, the role that you're playing and, and be aggressive. Don't let them, don't let them poach on your, on your uh, authority here. You were, Your job was created for a purpose, and it's very important uh to have that central coordinating function. So thank you very much for your testimony today. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Senator King, and I think it's important um for for all of you and also for our committee as a whole to remind the American people that the first duty of Congress is for the defense of this country. It is for national security. And as all of you h say, uh, the deterrence that our nuclear forces provide is the bedrock of that security. Thank you for the important work you do. Thank you again, Admiral. We'll wish you well in the future. We are adjourned.