S.Amdt. 3096

SA 3096, submitted by Mr. Cruz, aims to add a section to bill S. 2296 that allows the Secretary of the Army to start early production of future long range assault aircraft.

This amendment would allow the Secretary of the Army to contract for up to 24 of these aircraft before full-rate production begins.

The goals of this change are to:

• Get operational capability to the warfighter faster.
• Keep momentum and learning between completing test articles and full production.
• Keep the specialized workforce and industrial base stable, specifically mentioning production facilities and suppliers in Kansas, Texas, and other States.
• Lower risks of costs going up and make the program more affordable.

To do this, the Secretary must prioritize cost-efficiency and workforce retention for tiltrotor aircraft, use lessons from test articles, and keep the design flexible for future upgrades.

Finally, the Secretary of the Army must give a report to congressional defense committees within 180 days. This report must cover the implementation plan and timeline, the status of the supply chain and industrial base, and the estimated operational benefits and long-term cost savings.