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

I think what we have found consistently over 15 years of looking at these programs and I would say this now, there does seem to be some reason for optimism with the acquisition reforms that are in place.

You're investing a set amount of money, and you may not get what you asked for in the end.

I am particularly concerned in this regard with the Marine Corps' intent to accept the JSF in its Block 2B configuration.

Thanks very much, Mr. Duma. We'll have 7-minute rounds of questions.

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

So that's important. Excuse me for interrupting. But are you talking about technological overreach, not financial overreach, for instance?

You can disagree without having partisan attacks against one another.

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

It's a FAR-based contract.

This is a key part of our modernization strategy.

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

Thanks very much, Senator Hagan.

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

Thanks very much, Senator Hagan. Good questions.

In other words, you'd acquire fewer now because you don't have that full confidence.

I look forward to your contribution to our work.

It's really a remarkable combination of capabilities for the individual soldier.

I'm proud to say that I believe it was this subcommittee that brought the program back from the dead.

over the past couple of years, we have heard that the potential strike fighter shortfall could be 125 aircraft, or 243 aircraft, or, according to the latest analysis of the various steps the Navy could take, anywhere between about 40 and…

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

As I mentioned briefly in my opening statement, as you look back over the last period of time the Army's largest modernization programs have not really been successful and stable.

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.

So what would you do if you were Secretary of the Army today with this program?

I think the Secretary of Defense made some big leadership decisions and got some attention last year.