Authorization to initiate early production of future long range assault aircraft

(a) Authorization The Secretary of the Army may enter into contracts, in advance of full-rate production, for the procurement of not more than 24 future long range assault aircraft as part of an accelerated low-rate early production effort. (b) Objectives In carrying out the early production effort described in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Army shall pursue the following objectives: (1) To expedite delivery of future long range assault aircraft operational capability to the warfighter. (2) To maintain momentum and learning continuity between test article completion and full production ramp-up. (3) To stabilize and retain the specialized workforce and industrial base supporting future long range assault aircraft, including critical suppliers and production facilities in Texas, Kansas, and other States. (4) To mitigate cost escalation risks and improve program affordability across the life cycle. (c) Considerations In executing the authority provided by subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) prioritize program continuity, cost-efficiency, and workforce retention across the supply chain for tiltrotor aircraft; (2) ensure that aircraft procured as part of the early production effort described in subsection (a) incorporate lessons learned from test article evaluations; and (3) maintain flexibility in design to accommodate future upgrades through the modular open systems architecture and digital backbone.