Jerry Moran Asks Chief Of Naval Operations: What Is Being Done To Limit Fires On Ships?

6 months ago

During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing last month, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) questioned Acting Chief of Naval Operations James Kilby about fires onboard ships.

Transcript

00:00Senator Moran, followed by Senator Durbin. Senator Kaftow, she returns, and then Senator Hovind.

00:10Chairman, thank you. Mr. Secretary, Admiral, General, thank you for your presence and your

00:15service. Let me start with you, General Smith. You would be aware that the Army has decided to

00:22transition from traditional rotary wing tilt rotor aircraft for its flora program.

00:30Can you highlight your experience in the Navy about the speed, range, runway, independence,

00:38the overall operation and relevance of tilt rotor technology that it brings to the warfighter?

00:44Yeah, I can, Senator. Our MV-22 is the workhorse of our fleet. It provides vital speed and range

00:51capability and an unmatched versatility as to where it can land. It can land like an airplane,

00:58can take off like a helicopter, can carry a pretty significant internal load, and can go at speed.

01:05Thank you, sir. Admiral, let me ask you a question. There's been $4 billion in damage from fires

01:12onboard ships undergoing maintenance from 2008 to 2022. The GAO determined that these ships face a

01:22high risk of fire because repairs involve sparks or welding in confined areas. Is the Navy evaluating

01:30alternative repair processes like the press connect fittings, which do not require open flames?

01:38Sir, I'm open to evaluating all those technologies as well as ensuring that we're doing the right

01:44things when we're doing hot work on our ships to mitigate that potential. I share your concern.

01:49What's the status of where you are on this topic? I will have to get back to you on that specific

01:53technology, but we have made a lot of efforts to combat that dangerous environment from a supervisory

02:01perspective, etc. But I'm open to that, sir, and I'll get back to you. Thank you, sir.

02:07Secretary Phelan and or Admiral Kilby,

02:11the importance of the P-8A Poseidon. Can you elaborate on the importance of this aircraft

02:22in fulfilling operational requirements?

02:25Sure. It is a key component, especially now with the increasing out-of-area deployments of

02:31submarines from Russia as well as China. So to me, it is a key asset for that theater ASW commander

02:39to understand where those threatening subs are, localize them, and then deal with them accordingly.

02:47General Smith, thank you, sir. General Smith, the budget details we have, which are scarce,

02:54it indicates that the Marines plan to buy six less CH-53K King Stallion aircraft than the previous

03:04budget had indicated. Would you describe the importance of the King Stallion to the Marine Corps

03:09and its operations in the Pacific? And have there been operational changes that necessitate a reduction

03:15in this heavy lift capacity?

03:17Senator, we're fully committed to the CH-53Kilo, the King Stallion. It is the workhorse of our fleet.

03:24Again, it can lift itself. It can haul massive external and internal loads and refuel in flight,

03:30giving it an almost unlimited range. So we're fully committed to the CH-53Kilo.

03:36And therefore, the reduction in the request?

03:39Senator, I'll have to get back to you on the details for why that was.

03:42Okay. Thank you. Let me just mention the T-45 aircraft. It is aging. We continue to see repeated

03:52groundings and poor readiness associated with this legacy aircraft. Delays in training and student

04:00production. Higher costs reduce lethality. I just would encourage you to find the solution that is a

04:09replacement to the T-45 in an expeditious, as quick as possible manner. I don't know whether any of you

04:18need to comment on that, but it's mine. It is my encouragement.

04:22I share your concerns, sir, and you have my commitment to continue to work that issue.

04:26Thank you very much. And finally, the Army announced the termination of the Joint Light Tactical

04:32Vehicle Program. This was a joint Army-Marine program, and the Army's termination will impact

04:39the Marine program, I assume. General Smith, when did the Army consult with the Marine Corps on their

04:46decision to terminate the JLTV? And has the Marine Corps assessed the impact on the Army's

04:51program, the elimination of this program on the Marine's program?

04:57Well, sir, we were not consulted. Although, again, I'm not sure I would have consulted General

05:02George had I decided to do that as well. It will obviously throw the APOC up. The average per unit

05:08cost will go up, which means without an increase in budget, we're going to buy less of them.

05:13Okay. Thank you, sirs.

Jerry Moran Asks Chief Of Naval Operations: What Is Being Done To Limit Fires On Ships?

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