Warren, Army Secretary Back 'Warrior Right to Repair Act' During Senate Hearing on Black Hawk Sustainment Costs

Sen. Elizabeth Warren spoke during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to highlight how a small navigational knob on Black Hawk helicopters that frequently breaks can theoretically be replaced by the Army for $15. Because the Army does not have the right to repair, the whole helicopter goes offline.

The contractor charges $47,000 to replace the entire screen. ” She argued that defense contractors are locking the military out of repairs on equipment that taxpayers have already paid for. Black Hawk helicopters are manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp.

U.S. military the legal right to fix its own equipment. The legislation is called the Warrior Right to Repair Act. Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) is co-sponsoring the Warrior Right to Repair Act with Sen.

Elizabeth Warren. The Warrior Right to Repair Act aims to mandate access to necessary parts, tools, and technical data. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Driscoll strongly agreed with Warren’s assessment. Relying entirely on corporate defense contractors for basic maintenance grounds aircraft unnecessarily, Driscoll said. Relying on contractors reduces operational readiness.

Passing a right-to-repair law would save taxpayers billions over time. 00 on Tuesday. Benzinga reported the exchange during the hearing and the details of the proposed legislation.

The hearing underscored tensions between military operational needs and longstanding contractor control over maintenance. Warren has framed the issue as one of both cost and readiness for forces that may operate far from contractor support. Driscoll’s testimony added weight from within the Army’s civilian leadership.