Committee presses Pentagon acquisition reform, industry to scale munitions and drones faster
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Summary
Witnesses told the House Armed Services Committee that sustained predictable funding and procurement reform are needed to rebuild the defense industrial base and field capabilities such as large numbers of uncrewed systems and munitions faster.
Lawmakers and witnesses at the House Armed Services Committee hearing repeatedly singled out acquisition rules, requirements creep and irregular funding as key obstacles to delivering capabilities to combatant commanders.
General Jack Keane said the defense industrial base needs “consistent, reliable funding” and “continuous demand” so suppliers can maintain workforce and production lines. He criticized uncontrolled requirements growth and said the Pentagon’s risk‑avoidant business practices and over‑testing delay programs and raise costs.
Keane said the services should be able to buy high‑volume items from the commercial sector more quickly. “If you leave the army program of record to itself, they’ll get less than a hundred drones this year. What they need is about 20,000,” he said, urging mechanisms to permit bulk purchases outside protracted program‑of‑record processes.
Dr. Mara Carlin recommended targeted funding for munitions, undersea platforms, resilient space architecture, cyber and AI, and suggested Congress consider multiyear procurement authorities and other measures that give industry predictability. She cited the Marine Corps’ clean audit and special acquisition authorities used by U.S. Special Operations Command as examples worth studying for broader application.
Members from both parties pressed for an end to continuing resolutions and on‑time appropriations so the services and suppliers can plan production. Several members also urged Congress to condition additional top‑line funding on demonstrable acquisition reforms and better program delivery.
The hearing included multiple concrete examples: committee members and witnesses cited expanded munitions production after the Ukraine war and new ammunition plants; they also discussed barriers foreign militaries face in foreign military sales because U.S. industry is backlogged. Witnesses did not propose specific statutory language; the committee indicated it would pursue follow‑up hearings and possible legislative options.