S. 2080: FLRAA Production Acceleration Act of 2025

This bill, known as the FLRAA Production Acceleration Act of 2025, authorizes the Secretary of the Army to speed up the production of future long range assault aircraft. Here’s a breakdown of its key provisions:

Authorization for Early Production

The bill allows the Secretary of the Army to enter into contracts for the procurement of up to 24 future long range assault aircraft before the full-scale production begins. This early production is termed a "low-rate early production effort."

Objectives of Early Production

In pursuing early production, the Secretary of the Army must focus on several key objectives:

• Expedite Delivery: Ensure that the operational capabilities of the aircraft are delivered to military personnel as quickly as possible.
• Maintain Momentum: Keep up the production momentum and learning processes between completing test articles and ramping up full production.
• Stabilize Workforce: Retain and stabilize the specialized workforce and industrial base involved in the aircraft's development, especially in Texas, Kansas, and other states.
• Cost Management: Reduce risks related to cost increases and enhance affordability throughout the aircraft's lifecycle.

Considerations for Execution

While executing this authority, the Secretary must consider:

• Prioritizing efficiency in costs and continuity in programs, ensuring the workforce across the supply chain for tiltrotor aircraft is retained.
• Incorporating lessons learned from testing of aircraft during the early production phase.
• Ensuring the aircraft design remains flexible to allow future upgrades through an open systems architecture and digital backbone.

Congressional Reporting

Within 180 days after the enactment of this bill, the Secretary of the Army is required to submit a report to Congress detailing:

• The implementation plan and timeline for the procurement and early production efforts.
• The readiness of the industrial base and coordination within the supply chain.
• The anticipated long-term cost savings and operational advantages linked to this early production initiative.

Relevant Companies

• BA (Boeing): Boeing is involved in producing military aircraft, including the future long range assault aircraft, making them likely affected by this legislation.
• RTX (Raytheon Technologies): Raytheon may be involved in providing technology and systems for the aircraft, impacting their operations in response to this bill.
• LMT (Lockheed Martin): As a major defense contractor, Lockheed Martin might be significantly affected in terms of contracts related to the production of this type of aircraft.