CONTINUOUS CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY PROGRAM FOR F-35 AIRCRAFT.

SEC. 225. CONTINUOUS CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY PROGRAM FOR F-35 AIRCRAFT. (a) Designation of Major Subprogram.—In accordance with section 4203 of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of Defense shall designate all Block 4 and Technical Refresh-3 elements of the F-35 aircraft acquisition program, collectively, as a single major subprogram of the F-35 aircraft acquisition program. (b) Procurement of F-35 Developmental Testing Aircraft.— (1) In general.—From the aircraft described in paragraph (2), the Program Executive Officer for the F-35 aircraft program shall designate a total of not fewer than nine F–35A, F–35B, or F–35C aircraft to be manufactured and delivered, by not later than the end of 2030, in a necessary configuration that would adequately support future F-35 developmental testing activities. (2) Aircraft described.—The aircraft described in this paragraph are F-35 aircraft to be procured— (A) as part of the Lot 18 production lot or a subsequent production lot for F-35 aircraft; and (B) using funds made available for fiscal year 2024 or a subsequent fiscal year for the procurement of F-35 aircraft.