Funding Delays Put US Air Force Modernization at Risk, Warns Secretary
WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall issued a stark warning on November 13 about the detrimental impact of funding delays and the persistent threat of government shutdowns. With current temporary funding set to run out on November 17, lawmakers are scrambling to secure extensions until January or February for certain agencies to avert a government shutdown. Unfortunately, this uncertainty is causing numerous Air Force and Space Force programs, which should be progressing towards production, to stall due to a lack of predictable funding.
The Department of the Air Force has requested billions of dollars in the 2024 budget for critical next-generation technologies, including hypersonic weapons, a new intercontinental ballistic missile, and modern satellite networks. However, the absence of a budget agreement and a defense authorization bill has brought these programs to a screeching halt, according to Kendall. This issue arises at a time when the United States is facing increased strategic competition from China and Russia.
Kendall highlighted that there are approximately a dozen or more new projects that require congressional authorization to begin. The absence of an authorization bill and appropriations bill means that the Air Force and Space Force must wait until these are passed before they can commence their initiatives. Meanwhile, every moment spent waiting for funding equates to valuable time surrendered to China in the race for military technological superiority. Kendall emphasized the urgency of moving quickly, stating, Giving away time that we could use doesn’t make any sense to me. Think of it this way, if you’re doing a race that’s a mile long, we’re essentially giving away a quarter-mile headstart to the other side.
During a question-and-answer session, an expert noted that short-term funding bills known as continuing resolutions have become the new norm and asked Kendall to explain why military services struggle to cope with such disruption. Kendall emphasized that new programs cannot be initiated under continuing resolutions and, more importantly, utilizing funds that have not been allocated by Congress is deemed a criminal act.
The impact of continuing resolutions is significant. It restricts government spending to the previous year’s levels, preventing the Air Force and Space Force from increasing funding for important programs. It also hampers the ability to ramp up production rates and hire personnel. Consequently, progress is hindered, and the military is unable to move forward effectively. Kendall stressed that the issue lies with the congressional leadership level, where both sides are entrenched and unable to make progress on a budget deal.
Addressing claims that the military has substantial budgets yet lags behind in adopting cutting-edge technology, Kendall pushed back, stating, We don’t have an innovation problem. We have a money problem. He emphasized that the Air Force and Space Force are well aware of the necessary technologies and systems required for advancement, but without sufficient, consistent funding, progress remains a challenge.
Kendall acknowledged that the Air Force has a history of initiating numerous projects without the necessary funding and expressed the need to exercise more focus and discipline when starting initiatives intended for production. While the military acknowledges the developments in the commercial world, particularly in space-related areas, Kendall stressed that what they truly need is the resources to propel them forward.
The US Air Force’s modernization efforts are being jeopardized by funding delays and the looming threat of government shutdowns. As lawmakers strive to secure funding extensions, the lack of predictability is causing critical programs to stall, hindering progress and ceding advantages to strategic competitors. The need for timely funding is crucial in maintaining the country’s military technological superiority amidst intensifying global competition.
