President: America's Fallen Defended 'Vital, Beating Heart of our Nation'

 May 31, 2021 | BY C. Todd Lopez

Memorial Day originated 153 years ago to commemorate the lives of those who died defending the United States during the Civil War. Today it is the day set aside to honor and recognize all who have died while fighting in the nation's service.

Many of the service members who died most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan are now buried in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. While speaking today at the Memorial Amphitheater at the cemetery, President Joe Biden said that while walking though Section 60, he is reminded of the cost of war.

"Hundreds of graves are here from recent conflicts," Biden said. "Hundreds of patriots gave their all ... each of them leaving behind a family who live with their pain in their absence every single day. I want to assure each of those families — we will never forget what you gave to our country. We will never fail to honor your sacrifice."

Biden said that as vice president, he began to carry with him in his pocket the number of troops who had died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, he said, that number stands at 7,036.

"[That's] 7,036 fallen angels who have lost their lives in these conflicts," he said. "And on this Memorial Day, we honor the legacy and their sacrifice: duty, honor, country. They live[d] for it. They died for it. And we as a nation are eternally grateful."

What America is grateful for, the president said, is the freedom those men and women secured by conducting operations on the nation's behalf, and dying while doing so.

"America has been forged ... in the fires of war," Biden said. "Our freedom and the freedom of innumerable others has been secured by young men and women who answered the call of history, and gave everything in the service of an idea."

The idea, he said, is that every American is created equal.

"We're all created equal in the image of almighty God ... we're all entitled to dignity, as my father would say, and respect. Decency and honor, love of neighbor — they're not empty words, but the vital beating heart of our nation.

Democracy must be defended, Biden said, because it is democracy that makes possible the idea that is the United States.

"Democracy — that's the soul of America," he said. "I believe it's a soul worth fighting for, and so do you — a soul worth dying for. Heroes lie in eternal peace in this beautiful place, this sacred place, [and] they believed that too."

President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, and Maj. Gen. Omar J. Jones, commander of Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington, laid a wreath today at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Austin recalled meeting with the widow of one of the service members who was killed in Afghanistan, and who now lies buried in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. Marine Corps reservist Staff Sgt. Chris Slutman was killed by a suicide bomber in Bagram in April 2019; his widow Shannon and their three children today struggle with the loss.

"She told us that before her husband left on one of his deployments, she sat him down and said, 'God forbid something happens to you, but if it does, where do you want me to bury you?' And he told her, 'I don't care -- I just want to be near you,'" Austin said.

Gold Star families, such as Shannon and her children, Austin said, continue to struggle long after the funerals for their loved ones have ended.

"It is our sacred duty to do more to ease the burden that they shoulder, on Memorial Day and every day," he said. "For as long as America has sent our sons and daughters into harm's way, those on the homefront have also been on the front lines."

More than 1.3 million American service men and women have died as a result of American wars. Memorial Day commemorates their sacrifices.

"For the loved ones of those who have fallen, let me simply say: We know the depth of your sacrifice," Austin said. " But we can never truly know the depth of your loss. What we can do is honor the memory of those you lost — by caring for those who mourn them ... by seeking to perfect our union and defend our democracy ... and by striving to live our lives in ways that advance the ideals for which they gave their own."

Related Video: President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs Chairman Lay Wreath During Memorial Day Ceremony

Department of Defense Press Briefing on the President's Fiscal Year 2022 Defense Budget for the Missile Defense Agency

 May 28, 2021

Navy Vice Admiral Jon A. Hill, director, Missile Defense Agency; Michelle C. Atkinson, director for operations

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STAFF:  Ladies and gentleman -- ladies and sir -- hey guys, welcome to the Missile Defense Agency's briefing on our portion of the president's budget for fiscal year '22 -- 2022. On my left are your briefers today. Vice Admiral John Hill is the Director of the Missile Defense Agency, and Miss Michelle Atkinson on his left is the Director for Operations for the Missile Defense Agency.

We'll go through a brief slide deck, and then the Admiral and Ms. Atkinson will take your questions. When the Q&A begins, please wait for me to call on you, and please identify yourself and your outlet when we do so. And I'll ask the Admiral to begin.

VICE ADMIRAL JON A. HILL:  Okay, thanks Mark. Good afternoon everybody, thanks for staying late for us on a Friday before Memorial Day weekend. It's great to be here. Again, I'm John Hill, the Director, and my Director for Operations who also owns a human resources and facilities and budget, is the good Michelle Atkinson, and she'll walk you through the brief and then we'll take questions afterwards. So, over to you Michelle.

MICHELLE C. ATKINSON: Thank you, Admiral. Good afternoon everyone, I know that we are the only thing standing between you and a three day weekend, so we'll be -- we'll be quick here. I appreciate the opportunity to brief you today on the Missile Defense Agency's FY '22 budget request. Next chart please. Our current missile defense system can defeat today's ballistic missile capabilities of our adversaries.

However, the threats posed by both ballistic and non-ballistic systems from rogue nations and strategic competitors can deter -- can used -- in gross -- increase and grow in complexity. There are several trends with respect to the nature of this growing threat worth noting.

First, ballistic missiles continue to proliferate, and will be a threat in future conflicts involving U.S. forces. Ballistic missiles have been used in several conflicts over the past 30 years, and will continue to be used.

Second, adversary ballistic missile systems are becoming more sophisticated. Their systems are becoming more mobile, survivable, reliable and accurate, and can achieve longer ranges. New ballistic missile systems also feature multiple and maneuverable reentry vehicles, along with decoys and jamming devices.

Third, as recently emphasized by Secretary Austin, the lines between ballistic and non-ballistic missile threats have become increasingly blurred, as we are seeing with the new hypersonic missile threats. Hypersonic glide vehicles delivered by ballistic missile boosters are an emerging threat. These threats can travel at exceptional speeds with unpredictable flight paths. This poses new challenges to our missile defense systems.

Fourth, the cruise missile threat to our U.S. forces is increasing. The majority of land attack cruise missiles will still be subsonic, but supersonic and hypersonic missiles will be deployed in the future. Land attack cruise missiles will also have increased survivability by minimizing radar signature and also the use of countermeasures.

These are the challenging realities of the emerging missile threats. U.S. missile defense policy, strategy, and capabilities must continue to evolve in order to address these threats. The Missile Defense Agency FY '22 budget request addresses these realities as I will discuss throughout this briefing. Next chart please.

The Missile Defense Agency mission remains unchanged. Our missile defense capability must be able to address the full spectrum of missile threats, both ballistic and non-ballistic. The continual improvement of our missile defense system is especially critical.

Without further development and technology investments, our current system will not have the capability to address the more advanced threat, such as the cruise missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles I spoke of. Next chart please.

The agency's foundations are focused on delivering missile defense capability to our war fighters, and the FY '22 budget request reflects this commitment. This request continues to operate and maintain our fielded systems, such as ground-based midcourse defense, AEGIS, and THAAD to the highest level of system readiness and reliability.

This budget continues to produce and field missile defense cap -- capacity to address the expanding threat, including delivery of additional interceptors and radars.

Finally, this budget prioritizes investments in new capability development and advanced technologies to address the emergence of a new and more advanced threat I spoke of earlier, with efforts such as the hypersonic and ballistic tracking space sensor, or HBTSS, hypersonic defense, and the next generation interceptor, or NGI. Next chart please.

Our total request of $8.9 billion FY '22 strengthens and expands the deployment of defenses for our nation, our deployed forces, allies, and international partners against increasingly capable missile threats. Of the $8.9 billion FY '22 request, $7.2 billion, or 80 percent of our budget, is for research and development efforts.

This budget request balances the numerous requirements and priorities against available budget. Our FY '22 budget request is only slightly lower than the FY '21 budget request of $9.1 billion. Our procurement budget request is slightly lower this year as we prioritize development of new capabilities in order to counter the emerging missile threats. Next chart please.

This chart outlines the highlight of the FY '22 budget request. This request allows us to maintain operations and readiness of deployed missile defense systems, and also our C2BMC network. This request also continues production and fielding of missile defense capability and production of additional SM 3 block 1B and 2A missiles for the Navy, and THAAD interceptors for the Army.

Finally, in response to the increasing threats I spoke of earlier, this request includes several development and technology efforts. Examples of these development efforts include the hypersonic and ballistic tracking space sensor, development on which we are working very closely with the U.S. Space Force and the Space Development Agency. This budget fully funds the next-generation interceptor program to maintain two industry teams through the critical design review. We awarded two contracts in March of this year to this important Homeland Defense program.

This budget also requests funds for the development of a regional hypersonic defense glide phase intercept capability. In response to a request from INDOPACOM, the budget request also includes funding for the defense of Guam. The next set of charts will address some of the specific budget line items in the missile defense agency's FY22 budget requests. The charts are an order of the missile defense system battle sequence - detect, control, and engage. Next chart, please.

As I mentioned earlier, in coordination with U.S. Space Force and SDA, we are developing a hypersonic and ballistic tracking space sensor. This capability meets critical Warfighter requirements and provides fire control quality data to track dim ballistic threats and global maneuvering hypersonic threats. The program is focused on deploying the first two satellites in FY 23. The Space Tracking and Surveillance System, or STSS, remains in orbit now, supporting DoD and the intelligence community.

The budget request supports the passivation of these two STSS demonstration satellites, which operated well beyond their expected service life and provided the foundation for future space-based sensor capability to include HBTSS. We are developing, deploying, and sustaining ground-based radars to counter current and future missile threats, build Warfighter confidence, and increase force structure. The FY22 budget request includes upgrading and sustaining 12 AN/TPY-2 radars, with a 13th radar being procured now with FY 21 funds from Congress. Completing and fielding the Long Range Discrimination Radar, or LRDR, in Alaska.

LRDR construction continued this year despite a temporary work stoppage that lasted several months because of steps taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This advanced radar is a critical midcourse sensor that improves the missile defense system threat discrimination capability and also allows for more efficient use of the ground-based midcourse defense system. The Sea-Based X-Band Radar, or SBX, provides precision midcourse tracking and threat discrimination to protect our homeland.

The FY22 request continues operations in support of this critical radar. We will continue to sustain and provide updates to the Upgraded Early Warning Radars or UEWRs and continue to Cobra Dane radar refurbishment and life extension effort in partnership with the U.S. Air Force. C2BMC is the integrating element of our missile defense system. The FY22 budget request sustains the fielded C2BMC capability across 18 time zones with hardened networks supporting all of the combatant commands. The budget request also integrates new capabilities into C2BMC, such as LRDR. Next chart, please.

The department is committed to improving U.S. homeland missile defenses to counter limited missile threats from rogue states. The Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, or GMD, serves as a continuously available homeland missile defense capability for defending against today's rogue state ballistic missile threats. To ensure continued operability of the GMD system, we have requested funding to continue with the service life extension program that will include upgrades and replacement of ground system infrastructure, fire control, and co-vehicle software to improve reliability, capability, capacity, availability, and cybersecurity. The request supports the currently deployed Ground-Based Interceptors, or GBIs, and completion of the additional missile field in Alaska to enable future fielding of the next generation interceptors.

As I mentioned earlier, the FY22 budget request includes funding for two NGI industry teams through the critical design review. This plan reduces technical risk, secures competitive production pricing, and creates incentives for early delivery to the Warfighter. The Aegis missile defense request continues to upgrade the Aegis Weapon System and procure additional missiles. 40 Aegis SM-3 Block IB missiles and eight SM-3 Block IIA missiles will be procured for deployment on land at the two Aegis Ashore sites in Europe and at sea on multi-mission capable Aegis ships.

Our request continues the multi-year procurement for the SM-3 Block IB missile. We will continue to develop and implement Aegis Weapon System upgrades to support the Navy's newest Destroyers with the new SPY-6 radar, as well as upgrade sensors on the older ships in the Aegis fleet. Currently, construction is over 90% complete at the Aegis Ashore site in Poland. Jointly with the Army Corps of Engineers, we recently installed four SPY radar arrays and the fire control system there. Aegis weapon system installation and checkout have also commenced.

The THAAD weapons system is a globally transportable ground-based missile defense system, which is highly effective against short-range, medium-range, and intermediate-range threats. In FY22, we will procure 18 THAAD interceptors, obsolescence mitigation efforts, and training support. We will also continue the development and integration of multiple independent THAAD software builds to address the evolving threat, improve the Warfighters defense planning and improve system capability. The FY22 budget request includes funding to continue testing of THAAD and Patriot interoperability to improve the overall missile defense capability and increase the defended area. As I mentioned earlier, we were responding to requests from INDOPACOM to begin the development of a defense of the Guam system. Next chart, please.

The FY22 budget request includes investment in innovative technologies to address the emergence of new and more advanced threats. The budget request continues our advanced research program to explore innovative and disruptive technologies and also to develop emerging capabilities to enhance our missile defenses. This budget also includes funds for system engineering to continue to provide critical products and processes needed to combine element missile defense capabilities into a single, integrated and layered system. Testing is a critical aspect of the Missile Defense Agency mission. Validating system performance through flight and ground tests is paramount to building Warfighter confidence in our system.

To that end, the FY22 request includes flight, ground, and cybersecurity testing and the development of threat representative targets used during testing. FY22 test highlights include FTX 26, which is the LRDR Operational Acceptance Test, and FTM-46 which is required for the SM-3 Block IIA missile full-rate production decision. We are taking steps to develop and deliver regional layered hypersonic defense capability to the Warfighter. We are developing a glide phase intercept capability for a future demonstration, leveraging our existing missile defense systems.

In response to USNORCOM's requirement for cruise missile defense of the homeland, the FY22 request includes funding to develop the systems architecture and to conduct a demonstration of cruise defense capabilities using the joint tactical integrated fire control capability. Missile Defense Agency and the Israel Missile Defense Organization continue to cooperate on engineering, development, co-production, testing, and fielding of the Israeli missile defense system. The FY22 funding request remains consistent with a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Israel. Next chart, please.

In summary, the Missile Defense Agency's FY22 budget request is $8.9 billion. An important part of the department's strategy to defend the nation, this budget request prioritizes funding for the development of new capabilities to counter the expanding threats. This budget request continues the development, rigorous testing, and fielding of reliable, increasingly capable state-of-the-art missile defenses. It focuses on the readiness, capability, and capacity of fielded homeland and regional missile defense systems. The FY22 budget request enables the Missile Defense Agency to outpace future offensive missile systems in order to defend the United States homeland, our deployed forces, our allies, and international partners.

Thank you. The admiral and I will now take a few questions.

STAFF:  Steve, lead us off, please.

QUESTION:  So back in February, MDA published an RFI for a pulsed laser that could be air or space, or even ground operated. So is anything like that in the fiscal 2022 budget? Or if not, where do you see that going? And also, for that matter, air-launch kinetic intercept, if that's in the FY22 budget anywhere?

ADM. HILL:  Yeah, the second one I know is not in the budget. I do remember when we put out the pulse laser work, and that was to get that feedback from the industry for potential investment in the future. Michelle, do you have anything to add?

MS. ATKINSON:  We also received an FY21 congressional toss-up for the DPAL laser program.

QUESTION:  That was supposed to be eliminated last year, but I didn't realize there was a plus-up? Oh, OK. I see.

STAFF: Sandra?

QUESTION:  Thank you. Can you clarify what is the request for BBTSS and for SKA? You had it in the chart, but I couldn't tell there. There were two numbers there.

MS. ATKINSON: OK. So the -- let me find it. The HBTSS budget request is roughly $260 million this year.

QUESTION: OK. So and then SKA was $32 million? Is that what...

MS. ATKINSON:  No, it was what the other number was.

QUESTION: OK. So does that funding fund the two prototypes, the two satellites? And do you plan to downselect and only launch one satellite? Or do you plan to launch both?

ADM. HILL:  Thanks, a great question. You're talking specifically about hypersonic ballistic tracking (space) sensors. So yeah, HBTSS is on the path to launch two interoperable satellites that are built by two separate industry partners. So the idea is to keep competition in early, given the complexity of the mission. It is the only program within the space portfolio that provides fire control quality data down to a weapon system like Glide Phase Interceptor.

QUESTION:  And are these payloads going to be also the payloads that SDA will use in the tracking layer?

ADM. HILL:  They'll be interoperable with the tracking layers. So if you look at the overall architecture, what SDA is doing with the transport layer, and what they're doing with a wide field of view, a queuing source for HBTSS as an example, they're connected that way, but they are separate.

QUESTION:  So, you will not be developing payloads for them. Will they be doing their own payloads?

ADM. HILL:  Yes. We have different missions, and so each HBTSS fire control, wide field of view for early warning that would then queue those satellites. So they're connected within the architecture, but they are separate.

QUESTION: OK. Thank you.

ADM. HILL:  Thank you.

STAFF:  And let's go to our online folks. Do you have a question?

QUESTION:  Yeah, thanks for doing this. I just wanted to clarify. I see the MDA requested $248 million in defenses against hypersonic speed weapons, and you mentioned the Glide Phase Interceptor. But are there other projects within that $248 million, or is that all for GPI?

ADM. HILL:  Do you want to talk about it?

MS. ATKINSON:  Yeah, so GPI is the majority of that funding. We also have engineering, and we're starting to plan for the targets and testing of that capability in the future.

QUESTION:  Thank you.

STAFF:  Okay, Jen, please.

QUESTION:  (inaudible) I wanted to ask a little bit more about defense of Guam effort.  Is that now sort of in lieu of -- I know originally you were looking at a radar at -- somewhere in the Pacific, a Hawaii radar.  They were talking about like a 360 Aegis Ashore-like capability.  What are you looking at for Guam, a defense of Guam capability?  And what's on the timeline, it looks like you're investing a $100 million on that, but if you can give a little more detail on what the architecture may be looking like for this effort (inaudible)

ADM. HILL:  So we're not really positioned to do that yet.  So you referred a little bit to what's in the INDOPACOM Pacific defense initiative.  So, there's that and the request from INDOPACOM, but right now we're in the middle of doing that architecture analysis with the CAPE and with the joint staff and others to make sure that we have the options on the table, so that we can make use of the resources that we have to give the best defense possible for Guam.  And so we're working through that now. 

And part of that -- the real focus on those dollars in the '22 budget is to do things like spectrum analysis in the area because we know we the sensing capability.  We know that we have varying topology there across the island so how would you place those sensors?  Where would the fire control systems go?  Where would the weapons go?  So there's work there and there's likely some long lead material items that we'd want to procure.  But we're keeping that option space open now within the Department until we've come through all of those trades.

QUESTION:  OK.  Can you provide a little more detail in terms of what systems might be on the table in terms of what you're looking at?  I mean, especially if you're already looking at long lead items I'd imagine you have some sense of maybe where you want to go?

ADM. HILL:  Sure.  Yes.  What I think we'll do, and I say I think because it's still in the trade space, but we're going to focus heavily on the regional systems today that are prudent, that have program of record that can be evolved.  And so when you look at that, there's a fair amount of capability by which we can construct a really great architecture.  We're just doing that work now and this funding helps us to robustly go after that so we can meet the timeline.

QUESTION:  OK.  Are you hoping to have a more fleshed out plan of this, you know, by some time in FY '22…

ADM. HILL:  Yes.

QUESTION: …so then you can fund a path forward more robustly in FY '23?  Is that sort of the plan?

ADM. HILL:  Yes.  Yes.  That's -- that is the plan.

STAFF:  OK.  And let's go back to our remote audience.  Mr. Peter Loewig.

QUESTION:  Hi, thanks very much.  My Guam question got covered, so can you talk about other -- are there other -- are there other missile defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacific?  And then specifically because Aegis Ashore has been mentioned so much with Guam, has there been anything done to reflect the fact that the Japanese public has slowed, delayed, stopped, the Aegis Ashore in Japan?

ADM. HILL:  Great -- great question.  So, I'll answer specifically to the missile defense for Japan.  We're working very closely with the Japan Ministry of Defense to assess options.  And you're absolutely right, a decision was made by the government of Japan to no longer pursue the two Aegis Ashore sites. 

And so what we're doing now is answering questions for the Ministry of Defense to help them make their decision on what the configuration would be for the equipment that they have procured through FMS and through the direct commercial sales programs tied to Aegis Ashore, but how can you take those and make them sea based.  So that's in the Japanese trade space now and we're in full support.

QUESTION:  Thank you.  And no other -- no other missile defense elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific in this request?

ADM. HILL:  If you -- if you look at the details of the capability that we bring forward into Aegis ships as an example, and when we talk about the investments going towards a hypersonic missile-defense regional glide based capability, that would have a contribution in the -- in the INDOPACOM theater, HBTSS as a space asset.  When we get those two satellites built by two different companies into space in the '23 timeframe, they're meant to be in an operational position.  We will use those up for testing in the region initially and based on the how we characterize their performance they could be used operationally.

QUESTION:  Great, thank you very much.

ADM. HILL:  Great, thank you.

STAFF:  Jen, please.

QUESTION:  So what's not super clear in the document that we've received so far on the budget is your plans for the homeland where, you know, looking at potentially incorporating that or you just -- some of these other systems?  So could you walk us through how that is taking shape for you now and what we might be able to expect in FY '22 budget for potential plans for this?

ADM. HILL:  So for '22 that -- the real focus would be to pick up where we -- we did a feasibility test for FTM-44, an aegis ship engaging an ICBM outside the requirement space, so operated outside the combat system's requirements space, outside the missile's requirement space.  It was a congressionally directed test to be done last year, we completed that in November.  And so what that does is that now, you know, leads you to questions about how would the system perform against a more complex type target. 

So when you look into the budget, which you'll see is that look at the command control battle management, what would it take to bring together the homeland defenses and incorporate an Aegis capability?  What can be done within the THAAD program, terminal high altitude air defenses system, and how would you link all those together to give options to the combatant command? 

Those decisions have not been made to-date, what we're really doing is coming through the feasibility and the technical approaches of bringing those together as a layered homeland defense perspective.

QUESTION:  OK.  So in FY22 we would -- the funding to look at this would be in terms of the things you mentioned.

ADM. HILL:  Yes.

QUESTION:  OK.

STAFF:  And let's go to our remote audience, Jason Sherman from Inside Defense please.

QUESTION:  Thanks.  Hill, I wondered if you could say a little bit more about the Hypersonic Defense Program and walk us through this shift that MDA when through when thinking with the -- the program that you kind of re-designed and then sort of repackaged as the GPI.  Could you talk to us about the timing of that program and your efforts to accelerate it?  Sort of what -- what's the -- what -- what -- what was the -- the time that -- that -- that you -- under the old program?  What is the target for fielding under the new program?  And could you say something about the interceptors? 

Will you basically be using off-the-shelf or a modified variants of what already available for that in the first iteration and then going to a completely new design for something further down the road?  And -- and -- and when does the terminal capability begin to come online?  I'm -- I'm -- I gather that's not in this budget but you have a request (inaudible) industry.  So you could talk us through all of that, sort of the change for the program, what interceptors the interceptors are that you -- you are looking at the near-term, far-term, and yes, thanks.

STAFF:  Let’s just let him go ahead and get to those questions...

ADM. HILL:  You know, Jason, I thought you did a great job outlining the -- the strategy.  So -- so the way I'll answer it is I'll kind of give you a sense of where we are today and then I'll kind of walk you forward, all right.

So -- so where we are today from a protection of sea base, Sea-Based Terminal, you mentioned that.  And that's tied in and controlled by the Aegis Combat System, leveraging off-board sensors to protect the high-value units set within the sea base.  That -- that capability is designed to handle what I will call the advanced maneuvering threat, right.  So that's sort of that first layer of defense against hypersonics - a pretty important capability.

Now, how do we build on top of that?  Where we were a couple years ago, it was a science and technology focus that the Regional Glide Phase Weapon System -- so when we say weapon system that covered everything from sensors through fire control through weapons systems -- and what technology needed to be matured.

So when you're in the glide phase -- which is higher up from the terminal, right, where a hypersonic vehicle is likely in its most vulnerable phase -- that's actually a pretty tough environment to be in.  And you can't take an air defense weapon and operate it there nor can you take a space weapon like an SM-3 and operate there, it's just a different environment. 

And so we are risk-reducing and maturing technologies to operate there -- things like seekers and coatings and materials for operating in that area, propulsion techniques, divert techniques.  That was the focus of that and it was a much longer term -- you know, it wasn't set for transition into a firm development program so that would have delivered something for hypersonic defense in the glide phase out in the '30s. 

So based on real-world data collections, we were able to take our system models, Aegis models, sensor models, ground-based systems and run the -- the data collected from actual live fires.  And we found that we can close the fire control loop with an Aegis ship that has already proven queuing launch-on-remote and engage-on-remote capability. 

So what the ship needs is an early look at a threat flying through the glide phase and leveraging its engage-on-remote or launch-on-remote capabilities in order to have -- and build that track.  Then it needs a weapon to get there.

So when you talk about that change from the Regional Glide Phase Weapon System into, now, the Glide Phase Interceptor program, in order for us to accelerate and deliver something faster -- because that threat exists today, as you know -- we have the terminal system, the Sea-Based Terminal which is in a state of evolution that's got more increments coming downstream to get even better at what it does, but we want to engage further back into the trajectory, into the glide.

So we looked at a number of different propulsion systems and front-ends and we released a broad area announcement recently.  And we just received the industry responses to that and so we'll be evaluating those.  And so I can't give you a firm timeline on what the acceleration is until we evaluate the industry concepts and then move forward.

What we're really doing in '22 is preparing ourselves for a very firm Systems Requirements Review.  So what -- what we get from industry today helps us to set those requirements and get them right before we commit towards going to a more -- you know, a development program.

And so I think that may answer your question, I'll just give you a couple more.  So if you understand where we are today, where we want to go in the future from a weapons perspective -- we talked about HBTSS, right -- so right now we can leverage seaborne sensors, we can leveraged land-based sensors, we have incorporated the ability to track hypersonic threats, but as you know it's a globally maneuvering kind of threat so you need to be up in space looking down.

So in coordination with Space Force and with SDA -- you know, the question going back to the use of the Transport Layer and the great work that SDA's doing for communications, you know, within the low-Earth orbit -- we're going to have a very robust and resilient space capacity to get data down to that ship from space if we can't catch it with our land-based or sea-based sensors. 

And so, HBTSS, C2BMC moving data to weapons systems, initially Aegis ships, we want to make sure that what we do within the confines of a Mark 41 Vertical Launching System for a ground -- for a Glide Phase Interceptor can be transported and be used at a land-based battery. 

So Jason, how's that for a long answer to your long question?

QUESTION:  That's great.  And just...

ADM. HILL:  OK.

QUESTION:  ... when does the terminal program begin to kick-in?

ADM. HILL:  The terminal program is deployed today and -- and is continuing to test.  And there is a future increment to that program, but that is funded and in development.  And -- and it's in the -- it's in the '22 budget and it's continuing.

QUESTION:  Great.  And you've got a cruise missile defense architecture line in the budget this year.

ADM. HILL:  Right.

QUESTION:  When -- when you look out beyond '22, when are you looking to -- ideally to deliver a capability for U.S. NORTHCOM -- Northern Command on that?

ADM. HILL:  So I'll -- I'll stick to the PB22 story today which is really to continue our work with NORAD and NORTHCOM to, you know, build out that architecture.  So I'm not at liberty today to talk about timelines.

QUESTION:  Great.  Thank you.

ADM. HILL:  Thanks, Jason.

STAFF:  OK, any other questions here?  Dan or Peter, any further questions on your end?

QUESTION:  Do I have the floor?  Sorry.

STAFF:  I -- I -- who is this?

QUESTION:  This is Jason Sherman, sorry.

STAFF:  Hey, Jason.  Did you have another question?  Go ahead.

QUESTION:  Yes, if there aren't any others.  Admiral, I wonder if you could talk about this -- this funding that you are seeking for long-lead items and studying a defensive system for Guam.  As the material developer, are -- is MDA on track to potentially deliver a capability by 2026, as INDOPACOM has said they need this by?

ADM. HILL:  Yes, well, I would say it's -- it's -- it's broader than MDA.  So it is a department-level decision so I don't want to get out in front of the department on -- on where we're going. 

But when we talk about long-lead items, if you look at the architecture that you discussed earlier that was Aegis-focused, if you look at other architectures that are being considered, what we're looking for is the commonality in those in -- in '22 for -- for long lead.  And there's -- there's lots of commonality. 

When I say regional systems, right, there's -- there is a set of regional systems that, you know, we have options to deploy to Guam.  So the idea is to look at these differing architectures.  And right now, if you see commonality in those areas on things that we can procure to accelerate that timeline to hit that timeline then we'll want to move out and do that in '22.

QUESTION:  Great.  And I just want to pick up on the question that Jen asked about the -- the homeland defense underlayer.  Is it -- is it -- is it fair to characterize that as basically on the backburner?  That -- I mean, last year it was -- it was the centerpiece of your budget request but it has not found favor in -- you know, in the enterprise, shall we say, and no longer a priority.

ADM. HILL:  I wouldn't say it's no longer a priority, since -- since we do have investment in the budget.  But there -- there are some very serious policy implications, and so we want to make sure that we get the policy angles right. 

We want to make sure that it's still a need for NORTHCOM because what we've been able to accomplish in '21 -- and Michelle mentioned the Service Life Extension Program.  You know, the big concern back when layered homeland defense was first discussed was the concern that the existing fleet would start to lose its reliability over time while we also had this timeline for next-generation interceptor off to the right. 

Two big things, now we have a Service Life Extension Program and we're moving out there and that will increase and give us a hardware-based data capacity to really understand reliability.  You know, where we were back when we had this conversation last year or year before was that it was purely analytical.  And so it was arguable as to whether that reliability was going to fall off or not, and how early, right.  So you always assume worst-case. 

But now we're going to have real hardware because we're going to remove interceptors from the ground, we're going to upgrade propulsion, we're going to update one-shot devices, we're going to update the processors, update the threat categories, and if that makes those older missiles perform like the newer missiles, and so reliability goes up, capacity goes up when you do that. 

And so you start to close the gap, and NGI and the competitive award with two great companies moving forward with the number one requirement coming from the JROC being speed and schedule we're now being able -- we're going to pull in that timeline on first in placement, for example, which means we'll be testing a little bit earlier. 

And then with the reliability moving to the right we may close this gap to where the policy decision could be this is great the work that we've done with FTM-44 and what we'll do with the future tests, and it helps to make the regional systems more robust and we may not have to do the integration work in order to do the layered work.  So that's really where we are today. 

QUESTION:  Great.  Thanks. 

ADM. HILL:  Great. 

QUESTION:  You mentioned that NGI potential accelerated fielding, what -- you know, 2028 has been the date that was on the wall, and is there -- in your estimation, now that you have these two companies under contract developing this, what's the soonest possible date that you think they could deliver? 

ADM. HILL:  So Jason, I know it's been proposed, and it's a competitive -- make sure as we're running through we have two separate program offices firewalled away and all that.  And -- but I'm a ‘you've got to show me’ kind of guy.  So we just got started, right?  We just made the awards, the teams are just coming together. 

I think it's too early for me to declare that I believe those schedules yet, right?  I want to see them hit the knowledge points that we have in the contracts to prove to us that they are in fact delivering what they said they will deliver.  It's a really complex threat set, there's a lot of complex technology coming forward.  And so I want to hold on answering that question until we come further down the path. 

QUESTION:  (Inaudible) General. 

ADM. HILL:  All right.  Thank you. 

All right, Jen, you have one final one?  We're coming up to four minutes left, so (inaudible). 

QUESTION:  So just, on the top line, I mean, $8.9 billion a year ago your request was for $9.2 billion, I believe.  Congress gave you another $1.3 billion, so I'm just curious -- obviously Congress thought you needed more funding and now you're looking at a budget that's just ever so slightly lower than your request.  So can you talk a little bit about why you don't need to maybe kind of align with what Congress is giving you a year ago in terms of just ensuring that you are aligning with the strategy and things that Congress was concerned with? 

MS. ATKINSON:  Well first of all, I'd like to say that Congress has been very supportive and generous to the Middle Defense Agency mission over the past few years, and we greatly appreciate that.  Our FY22 budget request represents the best balance of -- like I said all those requirements and priorities across the entire department as well as the available resources across the department.  The department had to make really hard decisions this year as briefed earlier in today's briefings. 

We feel that the Missile Defense Agency FY22 budget represents the best balance of all those things within the top line that Defense Missile Agency has.  We can still -- even with the $8.9 billion that we've requested we can fill, maintain, and support the readiness and availability of the systems that are fielded.  We can still procure and deliver capacity to our war fighter, and as I mentioned we've reprioritized funding to be able to develop and expand on these new capabilities to get at the emerging threats. 

QUESTION:  Will you sending an unfunded requirements list to the Hill this year? 

MS. ATKINSON:  We're still determining that.  We have not yet submitted anything to the Hill.   

STAFF:  And I think we'll close it up there and let you guys go about two minutes early and start your long weekend.  Thank you all very much for ... 

ADM. HILL:  Hey, Happy Memorial Day. 

STAFF:  ... attending today, and your questions.  And have an incredible weekend.  Admiral. 

ADM. HILL:  Thank you, (Inaudible).  Thanks everybody, really appreciate it. 

MS. ATKINSON:  Thank you. 

ADM. HILL:  Thank you.

Academy Graduation

The Navy’s Blue Angels in a flyover across the Navy-Marine Stadium, where the 2021 Naval Academy class of midshipmen graduated in person, Annapolis, MD., May 29, 2020.

Flags In

 

Coast Guardsmen place American flags at headstones in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., May 27, 2021. The tradition, known as “Flags In,” is held annually prior to Memorial Day to honor the nation’s fallen veterans.

Flags In

 

Soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” place American flags at headstones in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., May 27, 2021. The tradition, known as “Flags In,” is held annually prior to Memorial Day to honor the nation’s fallen veterans.

Flags In

 

A sailor places American flags at headstones in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., May 27, 2021. The tradition, known as “Flags In,” is held annually prior to Memorial Day to honor the nation’s fallen veterans.

Deputy Secretary Of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks Remarks on President Biden's Fiscal Year 2022 Defense Budget Request

 May 28, 2021

Dr. Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary Of Defense

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STAFF:  Hello everyone, happy Friday.  Importantly, happy budget day, and thank you all for coming.  So first before we begin, I want to thank my colleague, Chris Sherwood, who has been working diligently to make it a success, and certainly it is. 

So today as you all know President Biden submitted his fiscal year 2022 budget request to Congress.  The request includes $715 billion for the Department of Defense.  To speak about these critical investment for the Department, we have a days long schedule of briefers here for you today including, Comptroller and J8.  But first, Deputy Secretary of Defense Doctor Kathleen Hicks will join us to provide opening remarks on the vision and key priorities as laid out in the budget. 

Now, the Deputy Secretary does have a hard stop after this so we will not be taking questions.  However, please do note, that there is ample time devoted at the end of the briefing for questions.  So with that, I'd like to welcome Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE KATHLEEN HICKS:  Thank you, Jamaal, and thanks to all of you for being here today.  Before providing some brief opening remarks and -- I'll be turning it over to Ms. McAndrew, who I think you know is performing the duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Comptroller and Vice Admiral Boxall, Director of Force Structural Resources and Assessment of the Joint Staff. 

I do want to publicly thank Anne, Ron, and their entire team.  There are so many moving pieces to this budget as you about to hear over the coming hours.  It's an incredible size and scope and they have done an especially skillful job in a difficult environment this year, so thank you to them.  As Secretary Austin has stated, he is committed to matching resources to strategy, strategy to policies, and policies to the will of the American people. 

President Biden's FY 2022 Defense Budget requests $715 billion does just that.  The request is directed by the President's interim national security strategic guidance, and further guided by Secretary Austin's message to the force which lays out three priority areas of the Department.  Defend the nation, take care of our people, and succeed through teamwork.  To defend the nation, the Department in this budget takes a clear eyed approach to Beijing and provides the investments to prioritize China as our pacing challenge. 

The PRC has become increasingly competitive in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.  It has the economic military and technological capability to challenge the international system and American interests within it.  It does so along a continuum of conflict, ranging from routine statecraft, to coercive behavior, to the potential for combat operation.  Most immediately, defending the nation means defeating COVID-19. 

You will see investments that reestablish DOD's important role in pandemic preparedness and health force protection.  Defending the nation also means addressing the damaging effects of climate change on our military installations.

Simultaneously, we need to address, excuse me, advanced and persistent threats emanating from Russia, Iran, North Korea and other actors, non-state and transnational included. Of note, this budget reflects the president's decision to withdraw all U.S. forces from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, and provide over-the-horizon capability for counterterrorism and Afghan National Security Forces support.

As the president's interim guidance makes clear, advancing America's national security interests requires a whole of government approach. Often times, that will mean that the Defense Department serves in a supporting role to diplomatic and economic tools. This puts the United States in the best position to avoid conflict and peacefully advance our interests.

However, to deter aggression, the U.S. military will need to be ready. The FY 2022 requests provides the resources necessary to ensure that DOD maintains that credible deterrent by sustaining readiness and protecting investments in critical capabilities. The budget also documents some of the tough choices we had to make.

We lessened our reliance on vulnerable systems that are no longer suited for today's advanced threat environment or are too costly to sustain. Critically, we reallocate resources to fund research and development in advanced technologies, such as microelectronics. This will provide the foundation for fielding a full range of needed capabilities, such as hypersonic missiles, artificial intelligence, and 5G.

Modernizing also means bolstering our capabilities in cyberspace. This request ensures that the Joint Force maintains the ability to succeed in a contested cyber environment. It provides the resources for the department to defend forward, and continues building cyber resiliency and protecting critical infrastructure.

Deterring Beijing and others who would threaten our security also means leveraging our greatest strategic asymmetry relative to those global competitors, our network of allies and partners. In succeeding through teamwork, the FY 2022 request strengthens our relationship with our friends across the globe. It modernizes our alliances and further promotes interoperability.

More than this, it also strives to ensure that the department is working with all those across the nation who have a role in our national security. That includes focusing investment in American manufacturing and innovation, especially in underrepresented populations and small businesses.

Doing so means that we will not only build back better, but bolster America's national security industrial base. The president's request also ensures that we continue to care for DOD's total force. We have prioritized growing our talent by providing pay raises for both military and civilian personnel. We seek to make investments in the workforce where the department has critical needs.

The request also looks to build an increasingly resilient force, one that recognizes and embraces its diversity as a strength. We also make investments in the military health system and a host of family assistance programs. In assuring accountable leadership in the department, the budget supports sexual assault and harassment prevention.

And while the vast majority of those at DOD serve their country and uphold their oath to the Constitution with honor and integrity, we must be ready to address insider threats and extremism. The budget provides funding to strengthen DOD's ability to identify and address such threats in its ranks.

To ensure that our investments are aligned with our priorities, our FY '22 request has been subjected to a reform process that realigns spending and reduce costs.  The majority of these savings were generated by improving business processes, reforming policy and focusing on divestments. 

Part of that reform process is ensuring that the department conducts a consolidated financial audit.  Now only does audit assist in informing strategy but it provides transparent accountability to the American people. 

As directed by the interim guidance, defending America also means setting clear priorities within our defense budget.  The president's strategy driven budget requests achieves that goal and positions the Department of Defense to meet the array of security challenges that we face today and in the future. 

Thank you for your time today.  Ms. McAndrew and Admiral Boxall will be up momentarily.  Thank you.

Department of Defense Press Briefing on the President's Fiscal Year 2022 Defense Budget

 May 28, 2021

Anne McAndrew, Performing The Duties Of Under Secretary Of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer; Navy Vice Admiral Ron Boxall, Director, Force Structure, Resources And Assessment, Joint Staff

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STAFF:  Good afternoon and thank you for coming.  I'd like to remind everyone that today's briefing is on the Department of Defense's fiscal year '22 budget request.  Speaking with you today are performing the duties of Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller Chief Financial Office, Anne McAndrew.  And Director of Force Structure, Resources and Assessment with the Joint Staff, Vice Admiral Boxall.

We will have 25 minutes for the budget overview presentation followed by 10 minutes for questions.  Attribution is on the record.  Prior to asking your question, please state your name and you affiliation.  I ask that you limit yourselves to one question and one follow-up question so that everyone has an opportunity in the room and on the phone to ask a question.

I will let you know when we're nearing the end and there's time for one last question.  With that it's my pleasure to introduce Ms. Anne McAndrew and Vice Admiral Boxall.

PTDO USD ANNE MCANDREW:  Thank you, Chris.  Thank you all for coming here today.  Vice Admiral Boxall and I will give you an overview of our budget request and then we will take questions after our presentation. 

The Fiscal Year '22 defense budget reflects the President's national security values and priorities.  It's a strategy-based budget aligned with President's interim national security strategic guidance, which emphasizes the solemn obligation to protect the security of the American people, enduring interests and expanding economic prosperity and opportunity, and a commitment to realizing and defending the democratic values at the heart of the American way of life.

To meet the goals illustrated here, the budget request takes a broader approach to national security to address threats such as climate change, COVID-19 and extremism, makes smart and disciplined choices regarding our national defense, particularly by aligning our resources to evolving threats, and addresses strategic competition with China through calculated defense investments.

Fiscal Year '22 budget is further informed by the Secretary's message to the force, which builds on the interim guidance and outlines the defense priorities.  The message to the force has three overarching priorities to drive our Fiscal Year '22 investments.  They are defend the nation, take care of our people and succeed through teamwork.

The budget prioritizes the China threat as the department's pacing challenge.  We will continue to modernize our forces' global posture and operational concepts to ensure our military is capable of deterring and defending against aggression in the Indopacific that would undermine the security of both the United States and our allies.

The budget also ensures that the department is capable of managing other advanced and persistent threats, including those stemming from Russia, Iran and North Korea, and violent extremist organizations.  Addressing the range of threats facing the nation will require the department to work in close partnership with our interagency and international partners.

The budget also invests in innovative technologies that would deliver new warfighting advantages to our forces, including artificial intelligence, hypersonic technology and cyber capabilities, among others.  To facilitate our investments in innovation, the budget shifts resources away from older platforms and systems that are ill-suited to the current and future threat environment.

Finally, the budget invests in DOD's greatest advantage - its workforce.  Taking care of our people and their physical, mental and emotional health is among the department's highest priorities and DOD's budget invests in the growth and development of our total workforce, both military and civilian.

By investing in America's enduring advantages, including our people, the Fiscal Year '22 budget ensures the department can meet today's challenges and be prepared for future challenges from a position of strength and in support of the administration's agenda to build back better.

The Fiscal Year '22 budget request for the Department of Defense is $715 billion, an increase of 1.6 percent from the Fiscal Year '21 enacted level.  The request reflects a shift in resources to match our current priorities. 

Specifically, the department's focus on China requires additional investments for the Navy and Air Force, and the reduction for the Army reflects the President's decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the beginning of Fiscal Year '22.

We nevertheless retained funds for an over-the-horizon capability outside Afghanistan and to deter Iran.  As we prioritize the Indopacific, we must also ensure that the components have sufficient resources to transition out of Afghanistan responsibly.

For the first time since 9/11, the direct war and enduring operations costs are included within the base budget request vice in a separate Overseas Contingency Operations, OCO, request.  Overall, these requirements total $42.1 billion, a 22 percent decrease from the Fiscal Year '21 level.

Under our first priority of defending the nation, we will commit to supporting the federal government's efforts to defeat COVID-19 for as long as the pandemic remains a threat.  So far, we have made tremendous strides towards defeating the virus.  Fiscal Year '22 request includes over $500 million for COVID-19 and pandemic preparedness activities.

Now, to China.  To address China's growing influence, this budget focuses on developing the right operational concepts, capabilities and plans to deter and maintain our competitive advantage against China.  Specifically, the department leveraged the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, PDI, to highlight investments in support of our efforts while also focusing our resources appropriately. 

The budget also addresses the need to confront regional nation-state threats while disrupting transnational and non-state actor threats.  To meet these challenges, the department must innovate and modernize at speed and scale.

The budget advances technology in key operational areas while making needed divestments of capabilities no longer optimized for the current or future environment.  Finally, the budget makes smart investments in the military resilience for climate change.  Climate must remain a national security priority and we will integrate climate concerns into our policy, strategy and partner engagements.

In our shift towards the Indopacific, we are making targeted posture investments in the western Pacific, totaling $5.1 billion in the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.  The PDI was established to highlight select DOD investments and activities across the Joint Force that bolster deterrence and maintain our competitive advantage in the Indopacific region.

The PDI is not a separate fund but a subset of the department's budget request for investments is especially important to developing the robust capability required to maintain Pacific deterrence.  In addition to what is featured in the PDI, the department's budget includes other critical investments in the Indopacific region for Fiscal Year '22.  As this year's - represents the first ever PDI presentation, the department expects modifications to the PDI display in the future budget as we work with Congress to make refinements. 

As Secretary Austin and the President have emphasized, we must make climate change a priority.  It affects all of us, and the entire federal government and the nation must work together to tackle this present and growing challenge.

Our budget requests $617 million of new investments to make our installations more resilient and the department better prepared to address this vital challenge.  We're requesting $263 million to strengthen our installations, $186 million for science and technology investments, $153 million in investments to mitigate the department's climate impacts and capitalize on DOD's buying power, and $15 million for climate contingency and preparedness, to incorporate climate risks into war games, exercises and other planning tools to ensure we understand the impacts of climate change on the missions and are prepared to respond.

Planning for today and into the future is our business and we wouldn't be doing our jobs if we weren't thinking about how climate change affects what we do.  We need to ensure DOD facilities and equipment are energy efficient and can operate without disruption.

I will turn it over to, now, Admiral Boxall.

NAVY VICE ADMIRAL RON BOXALL:  Thank you, Ms. McAndrew.  Good afternoon.  Strategic deterrence is foundational to every mission the U.S., our allies and partners execute.  Equally important, a strong nuclear deterrent enables U.S. diplomacy, reassures allies, deters adversaries and leads to a peaceful resolution of international disputes.

Today's triad is safe, secure and effective.  However, key systems are beyond their original design lives.  This budget invests over $27 billion to recapitalize Cold War era systems in all three legs of the nuclear triad.  The budget continues Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine production for 2028 delivery.  It also funds the ground based strategic deterrent, GBSD, and the B-21 bomber to replace aging ICBMs and bombers in the 2020s.

Ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missile technology proliferation elevates the threat of strategic attack from a growing number of potential adversaries.  Our FY ‘22 missile defeat and defense request of $20.4 billion continues to develop a next-generation interceptor to defend the nation from missile attack.

Our budget also strengthens regional missile defense by fielding improved Patriot missiles, developing a new Terminal High Altitude Area Defense -- THAAD -- interceptor, and deploying four U.S. Army Short Range Air Defense battalions in fiscal year 2023.

China and Russia are fielding conventional long-range and hypersonic weapons with the capability to threaten our allies, partners, and U.S. forces from extended standoff ranges.  This budget enables $6.6 billion to develop multi-domain long-range fires that will allow U.S. forces to hold their adversaries at risk at operationally relevant ranges.

The FY ‘22 budget will field hypersonic weapons on air, land, and sea platforms.  We begin production with the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW.  And we will deliver this hypersonic missile from an air platform in 2022.

In 2023, the Army will field Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, LRHW, from land batteries.  And in 2025, the Navy will field the conventional prompt strike hypersonic weapon onboard the DDG-1000 warship.

The FY ‘22 budget request also procures and modernizes subsonic offensive missiles, increasing the procurement quantity of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range, JASSM-ER, and Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, LRASM.

Finally, we continue to modernize and procure Tomahawk cruise missiles with increased survivability and expanded target sets.  Our budget integrates this capable cost-effective weapon into Army and Marine Corps missile batteries beginning in 2023.

Ms. McAndrew will now discuss our investments in science, technology, and advanced capability enablers.

MS. MCANDREW:  In order to modernize and innovate and keep up with the revolution in technology that is already underway, the budget makes the largest investment ever in RDT&E, $112 billion, increasing by more than more than 5 percent over the fiscal year '21 requested level, while science and technology increases by 4.1 percent over the fiscal year '21 request. 

Guided by a new innovation steering group, the department is addressing ways we can transform, organize, and resource and sustain our technological military edge while best leveraging the U.S. technology and innovation sector. 

The request prioritizes technology that we categorize as advanced capability enablers, innovations that vastly increase our military capabilities, in some cases uprooting established technologies in ways that render prior technologies or capabilities obsolete. 

There are more advanced capability enablers than we have time to address.  But I have highlighted a few here such as microelectronics, artificial intelligence and 5G, in addition to hypersonics capability discussed previously by Admiral Boxall.

 

ADM. BOXALL:  The FY ‘22 budget develops, procures and modernizes air, naval, and ground forces that will project greater power at longer ranges and with higher speed.

First, we invest over $52 billion to develop and field lethal air forces.  In tactical aviation we continue to field a mix of fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft by procuring 12 F-15EX fighters, 85 new F-35s, and modernizing the exiting F-35 fleet.  The department also invests $1.5 billion to develop next-generation air dominance capabilities.  We are also modernizing our mobile air forces by procuring 14 new KC-46 tankers to replace the aging tanker fleet.

The FY ‘22 budget invests $34.6 billion to modernize our naval forces with a balanced fleet of manned and unmanned platforms and maintains a healthy shipbuilding industrial base.  The department invests $22.6 billion for shipbuilding to procure 8 battle force ships, including one destroyer, one frigate, two Virginia submarines.

We also invest over $6 billion to develop the future expeditionary Marine force.  And with congressional support we will revitalize our sealift fleet by purchasing five used vessels.

Finally, the FY ‘22 budget invests $12.3 billion to provide our soldiers with greater firepower and more reliable systems.  The Army is procuring 110 precision-strike missiles that will increase volume and speed of fires.  At the soldier level, we are developing next-generation combat vehicles and will deliver next-generation squad weapons to the first units in FY ‘22.

China and Russia are challenging the U.S. advantage in space by fielding weapons to deny or destroy our space capabilities.  Lasers, electronic warfare, grappling systems and direct action projectiles are a few technologies our adversaries have fielded or are developing to blind, jam, or destroy U.S. space systems.

The FY ‘22 budget invests $20.6 billion to strengthen U.S. capability in space to deter conflict and prevail in a global all-domain fight.  Our budget improves missile warning by investing $2.6 billion to develop the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared satellite.  We also invest $1.8 billion for two GPS follow-on satellites and to harden precision, navigation, and timing signals that will enable GPS-degraded operations.

Finally, the department funds five space-launched vehicles to provide assured access to space and invests in proliferated low-Earth orbit, data transport and missile warning solutions.

As in space, U.S. prosperity and military success depend on defending our networks while defending our networks while holding our adversaries and non-state actors at risk with offensive cyber capability.  The SolarWinds event demonstrates the need for robust, modern and ready cyber force.

The FY ‘22 budget requests over $10 billion to improve operations and capability in cyberspace.  Our investments improve the technology that will assure next-generation weapons systems are protected from intrusion and attack.  We are also embedding zero-trust architectures into defense networks for more selective user credential verification.

We invest in cyberspace operations to improve offensive and defensive cyber effects.  Our cyberspace investments will fund four additional cyber mission force teams to hold targets at risk and defend against malicious actors.  We are also investing to improve readiness of the nation's cyber forces by funding cyber ranges to enable training and exercises in the cyber domain.

MS. MCANDREW:  In order to innovate and modernize at the speed and scale appropriate to meet our challenges, we need to divest from older and less capable platforms and programs.  These programs no longer meet our mission and our security needs and we believe these freed-up resources are needed to fund higher-priority programs.

The budget will propose $2.8 billion in divestments, mainly from the decommissioning of ships including the LCS and aircraft such as the A-10.  Making the decision to divest from these programs, big or small, was not easy and was not taken lightly.  I understand the importance of these programs to many communities across the country.  And we will need to partner with Congress to see how we can work together on this.

 

ADM. BOXALL:  We must ensure that the joint force is the best maintained and our service men and women remain the best trained and best equipped in the world.  The FY ‘22 budget request of $122.1 billion continues the trend to build military readiness.  From ranges to flying hours, the Department is looking at readiness differently then in past years.  For example, the budget improves maintenance data analytics and parts availability which will enable military and civilian maintainers to repair ships, aircraft, and brigades in shipyard, hangers, and depots with greater agility. 

As discussed by Ms. McAndrew, we will continue to work with Congress to divest legacy platforms that overburden readiness account.  Without divestments, we cannot afford to modernize to the evolving threat environment. Last, the budget reflects the President's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.  In addition to fiscal savings, reposturing will enable responsive and flexible global allocation of the joint force.

MS. MCANDREW:  In his message to the force, the Secretary identified taking care of our people as one of his top priorities.  To do this, the Department is committed to providing a competitive compensation package for those individuals willing to voluntarily serve their country, including a 2.7 percent pay raise for both military and civilian personnel. 

This commitment is built into the fiscal year '22 budget request and is demonstrated by the number of initiatives and programs that support professional development and Service members in the family rampant the packet included a $8.6 billion, for about 21 and at that level for family support on that programs that support professional development and to take care of service members and their families. 

For instance, the budget includes over $8.6 billion, which is almost 3 percent above the '21 enacted levels for family support and quality of life programs that are important at attracting and maintain a quality force.  Also ensuring participation of a diverse workforce requires investment and access to childcare and support to families with dependents with special educational or medical needs.  Taking care of our people also means providing a safe environment for our people to work, grow, and advance. 

The request includes funds for sexual assault prevention and response, including funding to establish the Defense Center for Excellence for Sexual Assault Prevention, Response, Education, and Training.  Another way in which the budget request emphasizes the need to take care of our people relates to the facilities that we provide for our service members, families, and workforce.  For facilities, the budget invests nearly $10 billion for military construction and family housing and another $15 billion for facility's restorations, sustainment restoration and modernization. 

This growth includes a construction project that was previously deferred to fund border wall project.  We will fund those projects that are still needed in fiscal year '21 with the funds that will be returned to the component and the '22 budget also includes almost $700 million to fund those projects that are executable in fiscal year '22.  Our facility investment builds on previous budget requests and Congressional investments in environmental cleanup activities and ensures that all executable activity for the remediation of polyfluoroalkyl substances are fully funded in fiscal year '22. 

Importantly the budget request reaffirms the Department's commitment to ensuring that both advertised and government and housing is safe, high quality, and well maintained.  To that end, the budget continues the same funding of over $50 million higher than the amount requested two years ago.  Under the theme of succeeding through teamwork, we've prioritized the rebuilding of our relationships worldwide to ensure that the U.S. maintains a competitive edge. 

The Department recognizes that we must work through our allies and partners to advance shared interests, deter key threats, and help allies and partners effectively defend theid sovereignty, based on a foundation of mutual respect and accountability.  The budget also supports Build Back Better initiatives here in the United States by investing in critical supply chains, U.S. manufacturing workforce, small businesses and military families.  The budget emphasizes this in several ways.

For instance, the budget includes $3.3 billion for the Afghan security forces funds and $3.7 billion for the European deterrence initiatives to name just a few.  The DOD understands it can not address the many complex security challenges confronting the U.S. alone. 

Congress, other federal agencies, private industry and the American people are all indispensible stakeholders and partners in our efforts to secure the nation's defense. 

Personnel and military end strength in particular provide the backbone for all of the department's operations.  The department's request for end strength in fiscal '22 is $2.146 million, a slight decrease from fiscal year '21 projected levels.  The shift across the services represent the trade-offs made and aligning our end strength with our priorities. 

The department end strength is not growing based on the department's shift and focus toward the pace and challenge of China and the Indo-Pacific region.  The Navy's reduction is driven by the decommissioning of several ships including four LCSs and an (inaudible).   

The Marine Corps is continuing their progression toward their force design 2030.  A set of larger reform initiatives aimed at internally generating resources through divestitures.

For the Air Force, the fiscal year '22 decline is driven by decreases to legacy force structure requirements such as C-130H and F-16 modernization as well as a realignment of U.S. Space Force mission transfers. 

The Space Force increase reflects the continuing realignment of the Space Force missions from other services.  The fiscal year '22 growth is primarily driven by Air Force to Space Force realignments of various national intelligence program personnel.

Next, the next three slides provide additional quantity and funding details on some of our major investments across the department, many of which Admiral Boxall has already touched on.  This slide highlights the major investments in nuclear deterrence and missile defeat  and defense. 

This chart displays the funding and quantities for aircraft and ship building programs.  For instance, the aircraft as Admiral Boxall indicated, 85 F-35s which is six more than last year's request.  And for ship building the budget requests eight battle force ships in fiscal year '22 the same number as the fiscal year '21 request. 

And this chart displays the funding quantities for various space, ground and munitions programs, launch vehicles, global positioning systems enterprise, space based, overhead persistence and fair systems that Admiral Boxall already touched on.

And finally, this is a look at our fiscal year '22 budget request as compared to the fiscal year '21 enacted budget by appropriation title.  The budget supports the President's interim national security strategic guidance, follows the Secretary's priorities and promotes security for the nation while meeting the needs of our most important resource, our people.

At this time I'd like to turn it over to Chris.  Admiral Boxall and I will welcome your questions.

STAFF:  OK, thank you. We'll go over to Lara .

Q:  I just wanted to ask about (inaudible) down the funding for Afghanistan this year for us?  What exactly is that going to?  What is the full number?

MS. MCANDREW:  So the Afghanistan funding primarily includes-- the biggest piece is the ASFF which is the Afghan Security Special - Afghan Security Forces Fund.  That's about $3.3 billion.  It also includes funds for equipment reset, it also includes classified programs.  Those are the few that is included in the $8.9 billion for Operation Freedom's Sentinel direct war costs in fiscal year '22.

Q:  And so why - why the 3.3 why is that an increase from last year?  There was $3 billion in last years from the documents. 

MS. MCANDREW:  So we believe that given that we are pulling out of Afghanistan we need to provide some additional security support for the ASFF - for the forces there.

STAFF:  All right, we're going to go ahead to the phone lines.  If I can go over to Tony Bertuca, Inside Defense.

Q:  Yes, thank you very much.  I wanted to come to the proposed divestitures.  Congress traditionally doesn't grant a lot of these and I was wondering what kind of political capital the Secretary of Defense and the Pentagon are prepared to spend to get these divestitures?  How important are they and how seriously is the Pentagon taking them?

MS. MCANDREW:  On - in order for us to - given the focus on the pacing challenge of China and the other challenge that we have in the department we must divest from our older, less capable, vulnerable, underperforming systems in order to invest in the capabilities that we need most for the future.  So the Secretary is --  has indicated that he is - he wants to work with Congress to ensure that we can divest so that we can all - so that we can  divest to invest in the future capabilities. 

Such as hypersonics, more capable warships, such as the SSNs with (inaudible) module that has the improved deep strike capabilities, just to name a few.

ADM. BOXALL:  Yes, if I could just add - I mean if you look at - it's key for us to look at the - we have to spend some money on readiness, we have to spend some money on modernization, we have to spend some money on procurement; finding that balance is really the challenge in almost any budget.  As we look forward to the direction - the clear direction in the interim national security strategy clearly that direction is to go to China as it was in the 2018 NDS.

So we look and we say well what are the forces that we've had, what are they doing, and what are the forces we need, what do they look like.  And that's really what guided us.  So you'll see in here, again, as you talk about going to Congress, we have a lot work to do to ensure that they understand exactly what we're trying to do here.  A-10s, for example, we are going to divest a 42 A-10s but also invest in - we keep around 239 A-10s as well.  We'll need those in the future to keep capacity but we also need capability. 

And some of those we talked about - hypersonics, 5G, A.I. all those types of investments.  Everything we - from everything we fail to divest adequately in we have to find those funds in either our ability to operate the force or in how fast we modernize.  And we feel that we need to kind of get after modernization and chairman's been very clear on that. 

STAFF:  OK, we have time for only one more question, please.  And over to Steve.

Q:  Steve Trimble with Aviation Week.  Just to drill down on the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, there's about $400 million added to what INDOPACOM requested, so I was wondering if you could provide the delta of what was changed.  And then within the PDI, is there funding -- or, how much funding is -- is there for space-based persistent radar?

MS. MCANDREW:  (inaudible)...

ADM. BOXALL:  So, well, again, for while she's looking up those numbers, just from a general perspective, I mean, the whole department is kind of shifting its focus on China, and therefore by extension, the -- the Pacific.  So trying to figure out exactly how much capability goes specifically to one combatant commander when we're investing in things like joint all-domain command-and-control when we think about, you know, space-based ISR, missile warning, a lot of those other technologies.  So you know, how -- that's why this is an initial cut at the PDI.  We'll continue to have a dialogue on it.

One of the things, for example, was in there was $118- to figure out what we do about protection on Guam.  That was one of the priorities for -- for -- the CENTCOM -- or, the INDOPACOM commander. 

So as we look towards trying to solve those challenges, you know, some are global challenges that -- but -- but we did -- do want to kind of highlight those that are specifically in an initiative in the Pacific, kind of like we have an initiative in Europe.

MS. MCANDREW:  So on -- since you seem to know, already know, the $400 million is for -- for things within this PDI.  They -- they identified $4.8 billion and $3.7- with those. $4.8 billion, I think, and then we funded...

ADM. BOXALL:  (inaudible).

MS. MCANDREW:  No, I'm talking about for INDOPACOM (inaudible) identified.  Yeah, they identified -- the department has resourced $2.6 billion with the $4.8 billion that INDOPACOM identified in their 1251 report that they sent to Congress.  So $400- of that is in a PDI.

Q:  OK.

MS. MCANDREW:  And then -- so, does that answer your question? 

STAFF:  I'm sorry.  We -- we do have a hard stop at this point, and that's -- all the time we have at this time.  If you have any further questions, reach out to me.  You know where I sit.  Anyone online as well, or on the phone, please reach out to me if you have any further questions.  Thank you for you time.  That ends our briefing.  Thank you.

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin "Benny" Gantz

 May 28, 2021

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Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke this afternoon with Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin “Benny” Gantz. Secretary Austin reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad support for Israel’s security. He shared the Administration’s support for building on the ceasefire to establish enduring security. Both parties agreed to remain in close coordination on shared defense priorities.

DOD Budget Request Boosts Research, Nuclear Modernization and Includes 2.7% Pay Raise

 May 28, 2021 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

The fiscal year 2022 Defense Department budget request includes the largest-ever research, development, test and evaluation request — $112 billion, which is a 5.1% increase over fiscal 2021. It also includes $27.7 billion for nuclear triad modernization.

The budget totals $752.9 billion. It includes $37.9 billion for the Department of Energy and other agencies. It reflects a 1.6% increase from the fiscal 2021 enacted budget.

The budget provides a 2.7% pay raise for both military and civilians, while investing nearly $9 billion in family support programs.

Spotlight: Military Family Support

In a statement today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said the budget invests in people, supports readiness and modernization, combats threats posed by climate change and provides capabilities needed to meet the pacing threat from Beijing.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks briefed the media today on the fiscal 2022 Defense Department budget. She reiterated Austin's comments and said the budget also addresses the COVID-19 pandemic and drawing down U.S. forces from Afghanistan with an exit date of Sept. 11, adding that the department will provide over-the-horizon capability for counterterrorism and Afghan National Security Forces support.

Spotlight: Coronavirus: DOD Response

"The budget also documents some of the tough choices we had to make, as we lessen our reliance on vulnerable systems that are no longer suited for today's advanced threat environment, or are too costly to sustain," she said.

Those resource reallocations, she said, are going to fund advanced technologies like microelectronics, hypersonic missiles, artificial intelligence, cyberspace capabilities and a 5G network.

Spotlight: Artificial Intelligence

DOD also has invested in its workforce, particularly in billets where there are critical needs, she said. "The request also looks to build an increasingly resilient force, one that recognizes and embraces its diversity as a strength."

The budget also provides funding to strengthen the department's ability to identify and address insider threats in its ranks and to combat sexual assault and harassment, she said.

Spotlight: Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military

The budget request slightly lowers total military active and reserve component end strength from FY21 authorized 2,150,375 to 2,145,900. The only service to get an end strength increase is the Space Force, which had 6,434 guardians authorized in FY21, with a request to bump that up to 8,400.

Anne McAndrew, performing the duties of under secretary of defense (comptroller) and chief financial officer, said that the budget also reflects capabilities for managing threats from Russia, Iran, North Korea and violent extremist organizations, in addition to China.

The budget also invests in taking care of people. "Their physical, mental and emotional health is among the department's highest priorities," she said.

Navy Vice Adm. Ron Boxall, the director of Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, Joint Staff, said the department will work with Congress to divest legacy platforms that overburden readiness accounts.

Budget request highlights include:

• $20.4 billion for missile defense
• $6.6 billion to develop and field long-range fires
• $52.4 billion for fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft
• $34.6 billion for a hybrid fleet of manned and unmanned naval platforms
• $12.3 billion for ground force weapons and next generation combat vehicles
• $20.6 billion for space capabilities
• $10.4 billion for cyberspace activities
• $122.1 billion for training, installation support, and support to allies and partners.