Eliminating wasteful defense programs like the F-22 Raptor last year saved taxpayers $330 billion, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today.

In a briefing before the House Defense Subcommittee on DOD’s $742 billion budget request for FY2011, Gates said continued defense budget reform was needed. Programs at the front of the cut line this year include the Navy’s EPX surveillance aircraft, CG(X) Cruiser and the Third Generation Infrared Surveillance (3GIRS) space program. Gates also reiterated his recommendation that President Obama veto any bill that continues the C-17 cargo plane or the F-35 Alternative Engine. 

In response to lawmaker questions about the F-35’s troubled development, Gates said the fact that the program’s numbers are now based on independent assessments from DOD’s Joint Estimating Team will improve budget bottom lines. Gates said his removal of the JSF program manager on budget day and withholding of $600 million from prime contractor Lockheed Martin “got Lockheed’s attention.” Gates admitted DOD has not correctly overseen the program, providing as an example a factory that allocated 6% of its floor space to the program while the federal government provided 70% of the factory’s overhead costs.  

To alleviate the risk posed by JSF program delay, Gates reminded lawmakers that the budget contained additional requests for new F-18 aircraft, saying this procurement will likely continue to 2013. He also left open the possibility of signing multi-year contracts to procure further F-18 aircraft as a hedge against further delays to the F-35. By 2020, according to Gates, the US will have 2700 aircraft in its arsenal, roughly 1000 more than its nearest competitor. Predator and Reaper Drones are also filling in for retiring fighter jets, reducing the need for one-for-one replacement. 

Other issues addressed in Gates' testimony:

• Requirements for the aerial refueling tanker will not be adjusted to accommodate another round of bidding;

• DOD is on track to converting 33,000 contractor positions to government positions within the next five years;

• Development of a next-generation ballistic missile submarine could consume shipbuilding resources and defer the Navy's goal of 313 ships.