SEC. 255.

Sonobuoy modernization, testing, and inventory sufficiency for two simultaneous regional conflicts

DIVISION A · TITLE II: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION · SUBTITLE C: Plans, Reports, and Other Matters

Source
SECTION TEXT · SEC. 255.

(a) Strategy and inventory requirement

(1) In general

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for sonobuoy modernization, testing, production, and inventory sufficiency.

(2) Elements

The strategy required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A)

An assessment of the minimum required inventory levels of——

(i)

passive sonobuoys;

(ii)

active sonobuoys;

(iii)

multistatic sonobuoys;

(iv)

air-deployed anti-submarine warfare sensor systems;

(v)

exercise, training, and telementry sonobuoys;

(vi)

extended-duration and deep-water sonobuoys;

(vii)

Arctic-capable sonobuoys; and

(viii)

next-generation networked or autonomous sonobuoy systems.

(B)

An assessment of wartime sonobuoy expenditure assumptions for combat operations against peer and near-peer maritime adversaries, including assumptions associated with high-tempo anti-submarine warfare operations in the Indo-Pacific and North Atlantic theaters.

(C)

An evaluation of current sonobuoy production capacity, including limitations associated with—

(i)

acoustic transducers;

(ii)

signal processing electronics;

(iii)

microelectronics and semiconductors;

(iv)

batteries and power systems;

(v)

radio frequency transmitters and receivers;

(vi)

specialty materials and rare earth elements;

(vii)

air deployment integration systems; and

(viii)

single-source supplies.

(D)

A plan to increase annual sonobuoy production capacity and reduce production lead times during contingencies.

(E)

An assessment of the adequacy of existing sonobuoy testing infrastructure, including—

(i)

undersea warfare test ranges;

(ii)

acoustic measurement and calibration facilities;

(iii)

contested electromagnetic spectrum testing capabilities;

(iv)

Arctic and deep-water testing environments;

(v)

shallow water and littoral testing capabilities;

(vi)

digital engineering, modeling, and synthetic testing environments;

(vii)

unmanned systems integration and testing capabilities; and

(viii)

opportunities for allied and partner nation testing and interoperability.

(F)

A description of efforts to improve sonobuoy survivability, persistence, networking capability, and effectiveness against advanced adversary submarine quieting, decoys, electronic warfare systems, and acoustic countermeasures.

(G)

An assessment of storage, transportation, prepositioning, and expeditionary resupply capacity for sonobuoys during wartime operations.

(H)

A description of efforts to integrate sonobuoys with—

(i)

maritime patrol aircrafts;

(ii)

carrier-based aircrafts;

(iii)

rotary-wing anti-submarine warfare platforms;

(iv)

tiltrotor aircrafts;

(v)

unmanned aerial systems;

(vi)

unmanned surface vessels;

(vii)

unmanned undersea vehicles; and

(viii)

joint and allied anti-submarine warfare networks.

(I)

An assessment of any statutory or regulatory barriers limiting expansion of sonobuoy production, testing, procurement, or fielding.

(J)

Recommendations for legislative or administrative action necessary to improve sonobuoy readiness and wartime sufficiency.

(b) Industrial base expansion plan

Not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall develop a plan to expand the sonobuoy industrial base to support sustained wartime production requirements. Such plan shall include—

(1)

options for second-source suppliers;

(2)

the potential for Government-owned, contractor-operated facilities;

(3)

use of multiyear procurement authorities pursuant to section 3501 of title 10, United States Code;

(4)

opportunities to expand public-private partnerships for anti-submarine warfare sensor manufacturing and sustainment;

(5)

measures to improve supply chain resilience for critical components;

(6)

options for surge production during national emergencies or armed conflict; and

(7)

opportunities for allied co-production and stockpile interoperability.

(c) Operational test events

Beginning not later than fiscal year 2028, the Secretary of the Navy shall conduct recurring operationally realistic sonobuoy exercises that include—

(1)

congested elecromagnetic spectrum conditions;

(2)

integrated fleet anti-submarine warfare operations;

(3)

multiple simultaneous submarine targets;

(4)

degraded communications and positioning, navigation, and timing environments;

(5)

unmanned systems integration;

(6)

distributed maritime operations;

(7)

Arctic and littoral anti-submarine warfare scenarios; and

(8)

joint and allied participation, as appropriate.

(d) Briefing requirement

Not later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall provide a briefing to the congressional defense committees on—

(1)

the highest-risk shortfalls in sonobuoy inventory and testing capacity;

(2)

projected wartime inventory depletion timelines;

(3)

vulnerabilities associated with single-source suppliers and critical materials dependencies; and

(4)

investments required during the future-years defense program to achieve sufficiency for two simultaneous regional conflicts.