Joe Lieberman

There has been much discussion about the potential delays in the estimated dates for initial operating capability (IOC).

Is this lack of focus a major reason for the forthcoming Nunn-McCurdy breach on this program?

Affordability is no longer embraced as a core pillar for this program.

I've been a big supporter of JSTARS, and it's really a workhorse program of the Air Force.

You've answered my question. I was going to ask the question, which you might say is in the extreme, which is whether you're confident that combatant commanders would essentially accept the JSF in the Block 2B configuration.

Let me focus in on one aspect of time delay for the JSF, and that is the potential delays in the estimated dates for IOC.

Thanks very much, Senator Hagan.

Our Nation is deeply grateful.

It's quite remarkable how our troops have managed to do as well as they have.

I expect there will, Senator Burris.

There has been broad support for the JSF program here in Congress, but the TACAIR shortfalls that the Services are projecting are very unsettling.

At the same time, it seems that there are some missions for which the JSF is overmatched.

How soon will we know how much the JSF program has breached its baseline estimates?

The Department of the Navy fully supports both the F-35B and F-35C variants for deterrence and strike from the sea.

There's obviously a lot of support for the JSF program in the Senate, and particularly on this committee.

Good enough. Thank you. I'll follow those developments with some interest and look forward to working with you on them.

Over the 5-year period--it would be 53.

I think I'll focus in on my followup question, too, because I'm concerned--and I know you know others are--about risks of declaring that you have IOC before the JSF has received all of the capabilities intended.

Why is this JSF, which all of us acknowledge is an extraordinary program and a great plane, why is it now behind schedule and costing so much more than we thought it would cost?

The decisions we make in the face of these demands will help to determine whether future generations of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines will also know that their brothers and sisters in arms control the skies.

Define concurrency for this mythical person in the back of the room.

Thank you very much, Senator Thune. I look forward to working with you again this year, as we have in the past, in a real partnership, which obviously goes beyond party.

I look forward to your contribution to our work.

It's important to pause for a moment to acknowledge the service, heroism, and professionalism of the American military.

It is probably going to be hard with everything going on for the Commerce Committee and this Committee to complete work on your confirmation before the recess.