((a)) ** .—** The Secretary of the Air Force, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, shall designate a senior official, who shall report to the Assistant Secretary, to monitor the combined industrial base supporting the acquisition of—

((1)) B–21 aircraft; and

((2)) the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system.

((b)) ** .—** In monitoring the combined industrial base described in subsection (a), the senior official designated under such subsection shall—

((1)) have the authority to select staff to assist the senior official from among civilian employees of the Department and members of the armed forces, who may provide such assistance concurrently while serving in another position;

((2)) monitor the acquisition by the combined industrial base of—

((A)) materials, technologies, and components associated with nuclear weapons systems; and

((B)) commodities purchased on a large scale;

((3)) monitor the hiring or contracting by the combined industrial base of personnel with critical skills; and

((4)) assess whether personnel with critical skills and knowledge, intellectual property on manufacturing processes, and facilities and equipment necessary to design, develop, manufacture, repair, and support a program are available and affordable within the scopes of the B–21 aircraft program and the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system program.

((c)) ** .—** At the same time as the submission of the budget of the President pursuant to for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report with respect to the status of the combined industrial base described in subsection (a).