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 future long-range assault aircraft as part of an accelerated low-rate early production effort for such aircraft. (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 assault aircraft, including critical suppliers and production facilities. (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; (3) maintain flexibility in design to accommodate future upgrades through the modular open systems architecture and digital backbone; (4) ensure that the program completes a rigorous developmental test flight campaign prior to delivering the platform to the operational forces; and (5) ensure that the program completes a rigorous operational test and evaluation prior to entering into full rate production. (d) Briefing to Congress Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing detailing— (1) the implementation plan and timeline for the procurement and early production effort described in subsection (a); (2) the status of industrial base readiness and supply chain coordination in support of such early production effort; and (3) estimated long-term cost savings and operational benefits expected to be derived from such early production effort.