We really do need to join hands and address this once and for all.

We're going to lose a crop of undergraduate pilots?

We want to be teammates in this regard. Tell us what you need with regard to authority.

We must build more ships at the same time.

Are you okay with that for a year?

As chairman of this subcommittee, I can tell you that I want to help you proceed with that sense of urgency on a number of these issues, including accelerating the 355-ship buildup.

The Nation must commit to building a bigger Navy now.

For too long many Marine Corps modernization programs have suffered from drown-out development timelines and unrealistic requirements and cost overruns.

I am probably at first blush going to be a little disappointed when I see this shipbuilding plan, but it is not because the leadership of the Navy represented at this table and on up, to include the top leadership of DOD, does not believe…

There is no better friend than a marine. There is also no worst enemy than a U.S. Marine.

The complementary nature of both of these aircraft into the future for our aircraft carrier Navy is very exciting.

I just think we ought to be looking at all alternatives and thinking outside the box.

Thank you very, very much. I think this has been most helpful, and we had great participation from some seven members of the subcommittee.

I think the Navy needs to, instead of opening a wide aperture and seeing what comes in, make some choices about what they need this ship to do.

If they do not put a firm analytical foundation under this effort, there will be a risk of this effort also experiencing difficulties in execution in the years ahead.

If we sent out the clear signal this year and next year that we are going to do this and that we are going to put the money where it is needed and we are serious about it in the long run, what actions do you think the Chinese Army/Navy…

I think would be very regrettable.

Well, we just do not have the bipartisan votes.

Are you heartened that he says we can do it 18 years?

I believe that the ship should provide self-air defense, but we, as has already been testified to, have been buying excess capacity of air defense in the Burke-class for a number of years.

I am concerned about that valley because, as we go through it, it not only puts a greater operational strain on our attack submarine force to do all those missions with fewer boats, it can also, in the eyes of competitor countries, be…

Well, thank you for four excellent examples of testimony. Mr. Clark, you say we first need to get started with the first year. I could not agree more.

This is going to be our third attempt in the last 15 years to try and get right the issue of smalls surface combatant procurement.

Anytime that you cause a ship or require a ship to be good at all things, you are going to drive up the cost factor on this.

I think I heard you say that getting to the 355 ships solves not only a modernization problem, but it solves a readiness problem.