Mike D. Rogers
Representative for Alabama · Republican · United States
“(8) An assessment of NATO's deterrence efforts in Romania, including a description and evaluation of-- (A) United States force posture in Romania, including any new rotations to Romania intended to enhance deterrence following the 2025 decision to end the rotational presence of a United States brigade; (B) consultations with NATO allies r…”
“(8) An assessment of NATO's deterrence efforts in Romania, including a description and evaluation of-- (A) United States force posture in Romania, including any new rotations to Romania intended to enhance deterrence following the 2025 decision to end the rotational presence of a United States brigade; (B) consultations with NATO allies r…”
“(a) Requirement for Risk-based Approach.--Section 3843 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 3843. Contractor business systems: monitoring and surveillance standards ``(a) Requirement for Risk-based Approach.--The Secretary shall implement an agile, streamlined risk-based approach to surveillance of contra…”
“(a) Requirement for Risk-based Approach.--Section 3843 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 3843. Contractor business systems: monitoring and surveillance standards ``(a) Requirement for Risk-based Approach.--The Secretary shall implement an agile, streamlined risk-based approach to surveillance of contra…”
“(b) Modification of Certain Certifications and Assessments.-- (1) Certifications.--Section 1249(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Public Law 119-60) is amended-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``The certification described'' and inserting following: ``(1) In general.--Except as prov…”
“(b) Objectives.--The Commander shall ensure that the Cognitive Performance Enhancement Program-- (1) improves readiness, resilience, and recovery, using evidence-based holistic and proactive high-performance brain training that has a validated ability to scale cost- effectively across the special operations forces enterprise; [[Page H4842…”
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Every one of 4,912 lines we hold for Mike D. Rogers, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 45 of 99.
“(a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Commander of the United States Transportation Command and the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency, shall conduct a study on the fuel procurement practices of the Department of Defense. (b) Elements.--The study under subsection (a) shall address the following: (1) The projected amount budgeted by the Department of Defense for fuel procurement and consumption for fiscal year 2026, set forth separately by military department and Defense Agency. (2) The actual amount spent by the Department of Defense for fuel procurement and consumption for fiscal year 2026, set forth separately by military department and Defense Agency.”
“Such report shall include, at a minimum-- (1) the results of a reevaluation of contract incentive fees for inclusion in future F135 and F-35 production contracts; (2) a timeframe for implementing a new incentive fee structure in future F135 and F-35 production contracts; (3) a plan for determining the effectiveness of a new incentive fee structure in achieving desired production outcomes; and (4) an explanation of any efforts to apply a new incentive fee structure more broadly across the F-35 contracting enterprise. SEC. 169. STUDY ON FUEL PROCUREMENT PRACTICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.”
“Such report shall include-- (A)(i) a summary of actions that have been taken or will be taken to implement the recommendation specified in paragraph (1); and (ii) a schedule, with specific milestones, for completing implementation of the recommendation; or (B) if the Secretary does not intend to implement the recommendation, discussion of the reasons and alternative actions taken or intended to be taken to address the issues to which the recommendation pertains. (b) Report on Implementation.--Not later than one year after the submittal of the plan under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees and the Comptroller General of the United States a report on the status of the implementation of the plan.”
“IMPLEMENTATION OF GAO RECOMMENDATION ON F-35 JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER USE OF CONTRACT INCENTIVE FEES. (a) Implementation Plan.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement a plan to address recommendation 3 from the report of the Government Accountability Office titled ``F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: Actions Needed to Address Late Deliveries and Improve Future Development'' (GAO-25-107632). (2) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees and to the Comptroller General of the United States a report on the plan developed under paragraph (1).”
“(b) Plan Implementation Report.--Not later than one year after the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits the implementation plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall carry out activities to implement the plan and submit to the congressional defense committees and the Comptroller General of the United States a report on the following: (1) All critical technical data rights requirements for F- 35 Joint Strike Fighter sustainment, including for both organizational-level and depot-level sustainment and repair. (2) Estimated costs for acquiring identified critical technical data rights for sustainment. (3) The status of efforts for acquiring identified critical technical data rights for sustainment. (4) Any known challenges for acquiring identified critical technical data rights for sustainment. SEC. 168.”
“(2) Elements.--The plan under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) With respect to each recommendation specified in paragraph (1) that the Secretary has implemented or intends to implement-- (i) a summary of actions that have been taken or will be taken to implement the recommendation; and (ii) a schedule, with specific milestones, for completing implementation of the recommendation. (B) Identification of any recommendations specified in paragraph (1) that the Secretary does not intend to implement, together with a discussion of the reasons for not implementing the recommendations and any alternative actions taken or intended to be taken to address the matters identified by the Government Accountability Office in connection with such recommendations.”
“(a) Plan Required.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees and to the Comptroller General of the United States a plan to address the following recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office: (A) Recommendation 5 in the report titled ``F-35 Sustainment: Need for Affordable Strategy, Greater Attention to Risks, and Improved Cost Estimates'' (GA-14-778). (B) Recommendations 1 through 7 in the report titled ``F-35 Aircraft: DOD and the Military Services Need to Reassess the Future Sustainment Strategy'' (GAO-23-105341). (C) Recommendations 1 and 2 in the report titled ``F-35 Aircraft: Actions Needed to Address Long-Standing Risks to Operational Effectiveness'' (GAO-25-107101C).”
“Beginning in fiscal year 2027, the Secretary of Defense shall establish the goal that the total amount of funds obligated for the procurement of products and services from nonprofit concerns pursuant to chapter 85 of title 41, United States Code, in a fiscal year is equal to not less than one percent of the total amount of funds obligated for all procurement contracts entered into by the Department of Defense in such fiscal year. SEC. 167. IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPTROLLER GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON F-35 JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER TECHNICAL DATA NEEDS FOR SUSTAINMENT.”
“(c) Implementation.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense finalizes the standards under subsection (a), the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall develop and commence implementation of a plan for equipping small unmanned aircraft systems of the Department of Defense with a common operating system that meets such standards. (2) Use of commercially available solutions.--In implementing the plan under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall make use of commercially available solutions to the maximum extent practicable. SEC. 166. MINIMUM ANNUAL PROCUREMENT GOAL FOR ABILITYONE PROGRAM.”
“(b) Elements.--The standards established under subsection (a) shall provide for a common operating system for small unmanned aircraft systems that-- (1) enables interoperability between small unmanned aircraft system platforms from different vendors and classes across the joint force; (2) enables modular integration of mission applications, including by enabling the use of applications and features from multiple different vendors on the same platform; (3) facilitates rapid deployment of autonomy and command and control functions; (4) facilitates rapid deployment of autonomy and operating capabilities in contested, degraded, and denied environments, including capabilities enabling operation in contested electromagnetic and degraded positioning, navigation, and timing environments; (5) integrates operating software that can function on multiple hardware platforms from different vendors; (6) supports secure software updates and cybersecurity improvements; (7) avoids vendor lock by enabling multiple vendors of hardware and software to develop and field applications and capabilities; and (8) establishes baseline standards for aided target recognition capabilities.”
“(2) The AN/SPY-1 phased-array radar system for the Aegis Combat System. (3) The AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder counter-battery radar system. (4) The AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder counter-battery radar system. (5) Airborne Station Keeping Equipment radar systems, including the AN/APN-243. SEC. 165. STANDARDS FOR COMMON OPERATING SYSTEM FOR SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall establish standards for a common operating system for small unmanned aircraft systems.”
“LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS TO RETIRE OR DECOMMISSION CERTAIN RADAR SYSTEMS. (a) Limitation.--Except as provided in subsection (b), none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of Defense may be obligated or expended to retire, decommission, divest, or otherwise remove from active operational service, any covered radar system. (b) Exception.--The limitation under subsection (a) shall not apply to any individual unit of a covered radar system that the Secretary of the military department concerned determines has been damaged or degraded beyond economical repair. (c) Covered Radar System.--In this section, the term ``covered radar system'' means the following: (1) The AN/SPN-43 shipboard air traffic control and air marshaling radar system.”
“(B) Such term does not include-- (i) industrial robotic systems permanently installed in controlled manufacturing environments; [[Page H4760]] (ii) robotic systems incapable of network connectivity; or (iii) assistive medical devices regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.). (2) The term ``foreign adversary'' means a covered nation as defined in section 4872(f)(2) of title 10, United States Code. (3) The term ``foreign adversary entity'' means an entity that-- (A) is organized under the laws of, headquartered in, or subject to the jurisdiction of a foreign adversary; (B) is owned or controlled by the government of a foreign adversary; or (C) is owned or controlled by an entity that meets any of the criteria described in subparagraph (A) or (B). SEC. 164.”
“(e) Definitions.--In this section: (1)(A) The term ``covered humanoid robotic system'' means a commercially available robotic system that-- (i) is designed for general-purpose interaction within human-occupied environments; (ii) possesses articulated upper extremities capable of dexterous manipulation; (iii) is capable of autonomous or semi-autonomous operation using artificial intelligence or machine learning systems; and (iv) is equipped with wired or wireless networking connectivity, including internet, cellular, satellite, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, radio-frequency communication, or cloud- based data storage or processing services.”
“(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the procurement or use of a covered humanoid robotic system solely on the basis that such system incorporates commercially available, off-the-shelf components not specifically designed for humanoid robotic systems, provided that such components do not enable remote access, data transmission, or control by a foreign adversary or foreign adversary entity.”
“(b) Limited Waiver for Controlled Testing and Counterintelligence Purposes.--The Secretary of Defense may waive the prohibition under subsection (a)(1) with respect to a covered humanoid robotic system if-- (1) the system is to be used solely for counterintelligence, cybersecurity testing, vulnerability assessment, or research purposes; (2) the system operates in a physically isolated or air- gapped environment; (3) the system is not connected to operational Department of Defense networks; and (4) the Secretary notifies the congressional defense committees not later than 30 days after issuing such waiver. (c) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall issue any rules, regulations, policies, and guidance necessary for the implementation of this section.”
“PROHIBITION ON PROCUREMENT AND USE OF HUMANOID ROBOTIC SYSTEMS PRODUCED, DEVELOPED, OR CONTROLLED BY FOREIGN ADVERSARIES. (a) Prohibition.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense may not procure, lease, or otherwise obtain a covered humanoid robotic system that-- (A) is produced or developed by a foreign adversary or foreign adversary entity; (B) incorporates firmware, software, artificial intelligence models, remote update capability, or cloud services provided by a foreign adversary or foreign adversary entity; or (C) is subject to remote access, maintenance, data transmission, or update authority controlled by a foreign adversary or foreign adversary entity. (2) Applicability.--The prohibition under paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to contracts and other agreements entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
“(d) Condition for Out-year Contract Payments.--A contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2027 is subject to the availability of appropriations or funds for that purpose for such later fiscal year. (e) Authority for Advance Procurement.--The Secretary of Defense may enter into one or more contracts, beginning in fiscal year 2027, for advance procurement associated with the aircraft for which authorization to enter into a multiyear procurement contract is provided under subsection (a), which may include procurement of economic order quantities of material and equipment for such aircraft when cost savings are achievable. SEC. 163.”
“(2) Limitation on availability of funds.--Of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2027 for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment for official travel, not more than 50 percent may be obligated or expended until the date on which the Under Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees a certification-- (A) that funding for fiscal year 2026 has been obligated and expended to meet the fiscal year 2026 readiness requirements as identified in paragraph (1)(B)(i); and (B) that funding for fiscal year 2027 has been requested to meet fiscal year 2027 readiness requirements as identified in such paragraph.”
“(B) The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment has submitted to the congressional defense committees a report on the plan of the Department of Defense to improve operational readiness rates of F-35 aircraft. The report shall include-- (i) funding requirements, by fiscal year, that achieve readiness to the required rates of full mission capability, mission capability, and aircraft availability, as defined by the Air Force and the Department of the Navy; and (ii) funding requirements across the period covered by the future-years defense program that demonstrate full resources budgeted and programmed to achieve annual readiness requirements as identified in clause (i).”
“(c) Additional Requirements and Limitations.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense may not enter into a contract for the procurement of an aircraft under subsection (a) until the date on which all of the following requirements have been met: (A) The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment has certified to the congressional defense committees that-- (i) any multiyear contracts for the procurement of F-35 aircraft units will achieve savings of not less than 5 percent compared with the estimated cost of procuring the same number and configuration of F-35 aircraft through annual contracts over the same period; and (ii) the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation reviewed and validated such savings estimate.”
“(a) Authority for Multiyear Procurement.--Subject to section 3501 of title 10, United States Code, and except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary of Defense may enter into one or more multiyear contracts, beginning with the fiscal year 2027 program year, for the procurement of-- (1) F-35 aircraft; and (2) initial spare parts and alternate mission equipment for such aircraft. (b) Limitation.--The Secretary of Defense may not enter into a contract for the procurement of an aircraft under subsection (a) until the date on which the Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees that such contract will provide for the procurement of the full complement of initial spare parts and alternate mission equipment for each aircraft to be procured under the contract.”
“(c) Condition for Out-year Contract Payments.--A contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2027 is subject to the availability of appropriations or funds for that purpose for such later fiscal year. (d) Authority for Advance Procurement.--The Secretary of Defense may enter into one or more contracts, beginning in fiscal year 2027, for advance procurement associated with the aircraft for which authorization to enter into a multiyear procurement contract is provided under subsection (a), which may include procurement of economic order quantities of material and equipment for such aircraft when cost savings are achievable. SEC. 162. MULTIYEAR PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY FOR F-35 AIRCRAFT.”
“(a) Authority for Multiyear Procurement.--Subject to section 3501 of title 10, United States Code, and except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense may enter into one or more multiyear contracts, beginning with the fiscal year 2027 program year, for the procurement of-- (1) F-15EX aircraft; and (2) initial spare parts, alternate mission equipment, and conformal fuel tanks for such aircraft. (b) Limitation.--The Secretary of Defense may not enter into a contract for the procurement of an aircraft under subsection (a) until the date on which the Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees that such contract will provide for the procurement of the full complement of initial spare parts, alternate mission equipment, and conformal fuel tanks for each aircraft to be procured under the contract.”
“(7) The estimated time required to achieve initial operational capability and full operational capability should the Air Force pursue restoring nuclear capability to such aircraft. (8) An assessment of the military utility and strategic deterrence value of restoring nuclear capability to the B-1B aircraft. (9) An assessment of any costs and additional requirements to restore nuclear capability across bomber bases. (c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex. Subtitle E--Defense-wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters SEC. 161. MULTIYEAR PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY FOR F-15EX AIRCRAFT.”
“(3) Identification of any military construction, storage, security, and certification infrastructure that would be required at forward operating locations within the continental United States should nuclear capability be restored to such aircraft. (4) Requirements related to aircrew certification, maintenance training, security forces training, nuclear surety inspections, and personnel reliability programs should nuclear capability be restored to such aircraft. (5) Estimated research, development, test, evaluation, procurement, operations, and sustainment costs over a the five-year period following the initiation of any efforts to restore nuclear capability to such aircraft. (6) An assessment of the expected remaining service life of the B-1B aircraft fleet.”
“(a) In General.--Not later than December 1, 2026, the Secretary of the Air Force, in coordination with the Commander of the United States Strategic Command, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report assessing the feasibility of restoring nuclear capability to the B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft. (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A description of any structural, electronic, software, and weapons-integration modifications required to enable the B-1B aircraft to deliver nuclear weapons. (2) An assessment of the compatibility of such aircraft with currently fielded and planned nuclear gravity bombs and air-launched cruise missiles.”
“4801 et seq.), chapter 37 of title 18, United States Code (commonly referred to as the ``Espionage Act''), the regulations set forth in subchapter M [[Page H4759]] of chapter I of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as the ``International Traffic in Arms Regulations''), subchapter C of chapter VII of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as the ``Export Administration Regulations''), and chapter V of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as the ``Foreign Assets Control Regulations''). SEC. 151. REPORT ON THE FEASIBILITY OF RESTORING NUCLEAR CAPABILITY TO THE B-1B LANCER BOMBER AIRCRAFT.”
“(h) Clarification of Liability.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon the conveyance to the Commission of interests in the aircraft under subsection (a), the United States may not be liable for any death, injury, loss, or damage that results from any use of such aircraft by any person other than the United States. (i) Applicable Law.--The conveyance of an aircraft under subsection (a), and the use of such aircraft following such conveyance, shall be subject to all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, including the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.), the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C.”
“(g) Reverter Upon Breach of Conditions.--The Secretary shall include in the instrument of conveyance of the aircraft under subsection (a)-- (1) a condition that the Commission shall operate and maintain the aircraft in compliance with all applicable limitations and maintenance requirements imposed by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration; (2) a condition that the Commission shall not convey any ownership interest in, or transfer possession of, the aircraft to another party without the prior approval of the Secretary; and (3) a condition that if the Secretary determines at any time that the Commission has failed to comply with the conditions set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2), all right, title, and interest in and to the aircraft, including any repair or alteration of the aircraft, shall revert to the United States, and the United States shall have the right of immediate possession of the aircraft.”
“(f) Agreements for Restoration and Operation.--The Secretary may-- (1) authorize the Commission to enter into agreements with qualified nonprofit organizations for the purpose of restoring and operating the aircraft transferred under subsection (a) for public display, airshows, and commemorative events to preserve naval aviation heritage; and (2) if the Secretary authorizes any such agreement, require such additional terms and conditions in the instrument of conveyance as appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.”
“(e) Conditions.--The Secretary shall include in the instrument of conveyance of the aircraft under subsection (a)-- (1) a condition that the Secretary is not required to repair or alter the condition of the aircraft before conveying ownership of the aircraft; (2) a condition that the Secretary shall provide any maintenance and operations manuals that-- (A) are specific to the F-14 aircraft; and (B) the Secretary has sufficient intellectual property rights to convey; (3) a condition that the Secretary may provide excess spare parts to make one of the F-14 aircraft flyable or able to complete a static display, provided that any part transferred from existing Navy stock is reimbursed at fair market value by the Commission, with no items being procured by the Secretary on behalf of the Commission; and (4) a condition that the Secretary will not be responsible for transferring any additional parts or providing any additional support beyond what is stated in this section, during or after the conveyance of the aircraft.”
“Any costs associated with such conveyance, costs of determining compliance with terms of the conveyance, and costs of operation and maintenance of the aircraft conveyed shall be borne by the Commission. (d) Condition of Aircraft.--The aircraft being conveyed under subsection (a) do not have any capability for use as a platform for launching or releasing munitions or any other combat capability that it was designed to have.”
“CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN F-14 AIRCRAFT TO U.S. SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER COMMISSION IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA. (a) Authority.--The Secretary of the Navy may convey, without consideration, to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama (in this section referred to as the ``Commission''), all right, title, and interest of the United States in the following: (1) F-14 aircraft (Bureau number 159437). (2) F-14 aircraft (Bureau number 164341). (3) F-14 aircraft (Bureau number 164602). (b) Form of Conveyance.--Any conveyance under subsection (a) shall be made by means of a conditional deed of gift. (c) Conveyance at No Cost to the United States.--Any conveyance under subsection (a) shall be made at no cost to the United States.”
“(b) Activities.--The activities carried out under subsection (a) may include-- (1) entering into partnerships with commercial entities-- (A) to provide the Air Force with access to commercially developed aircraft capable of handling outsized airlift payloads; and (B) to modify such aircraft, as necessary, to meet military requirements; (2) carrying out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using commercial providers to test, certify, and operate select C-5 aircraft in support of the Air Force; and (3) such other activities as the Secretary of the Air Force determines appropriate. (c) Funding.--This section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated to the Department of the Air Force and no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section. SEC. 150.”
“(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the analysis of alternatives conducted under subsection (a). The report shall include-- (1) the findings and conclusions of the analysis; (2) recommendations, if any, for future investment in next generation airlift capabilities; and (3) such other information as the Secretary determines appropriate. SEC. 149. AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSITIONAL ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE AIRLIFT OPERATIONS. (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Air Force may carry out activities, prior to fielding the next generation airlift aircraft, to improve the readiness, reliability, capacity, and capabilities of the Air Force with respect to airlift operations.”
“(b) Elements.--In conducting the analysis of alternatives required under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Air Force shall-- (1) evaluate a range of options for next generation airlift capabilities, including recapitalization of existing platforms, service life extension and modernization efforts, and development of new airlift platforms; (2) in evaluating such options, consider operational effectiveness, survivability in contested environments, fuel efficiency, lifecycle costs, connectivity, basing, and interoperability with joint and coalition forces and battle networks; and (3) assess the feasibility of incorporating unmanned or optionally crewed systems and innovative concepts of operations.”
“(d) Replacement Capability Defined.--In this section, the term ``replacement capability'' means a platform, family of systems, or operational capability intended to replace the operational functions currently performed by the MQ-9 Reaper fleet, including-- (1) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; (2) precision strike; (3) maritime domain awareness; (4) electronic warfare; and (5) communications relay. SEC. 148. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES FOR NEXT GENERATION AIRLIFT CAPABILITIES. (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Air Force, in coordination with the Commander of the United States Transportation Command, shall conduct an analysis of alternatives for next generation airlift capabilities.”
“(c) Combatant Commander Sufficiency Assessment.--Not later than 30 days prior to submitting a certification under subsection (b), the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees an assessment from-- (1) each of the commanders of the combatant commands regarding the operational sufficiency of the remaining remotely piloted aircraft force to execute approved operational plans and ongoing missions; (2) the Commander of United States Special Operations Command regarding the impact of such retirement on support to special operations missions; (3) the Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command regarding the impact on distributed maritime surveillance and targeting operations in the Indo-Pacific theater; and (4) the Commander of United States Central Command regarding the impact on ongoing counterterrorism, force protection, and crisis response operations.”
“(b) Certification Requirement for Future Retirement or Divestment.--Beginning after September 30, 2027, the Secretary of the Air Force may not retire, divest, or transfer to nonoperational status any MQ-9 Reaper aircraft until the Secretary certifies in writing to the congressional defense committees that-- (1) a replacement capability has achieved initial operational capability; (2) such replacement capability provides comparable or superior-- (A) persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability; (B) strike capability; (C) survivability in a dynamic and high-threat environment; (D) maritime surveillance capability; (E) communications relay capability; and (F) operational availability and sortie generation capacity; (3) the replacement capability is available in sufficient operational quantities to meet requirements of the combatant commands; (4) the retirement or divestment will not increase operational risk to ongoing contingency operations, homeland defense missions, maritime domain awareness missions, or crisis response operations; (5) the Secretary has conducted a force structure assessment evaluating the impact of such retirement on-- (A) globally deployed operations; (B) distributed operations in the Indo-Pacific region; (C) operations in the United States Central Command area of responsibility; (D) support to special operations forces; and (E) support to allied and partner nation operations; and (6) the Secretary has submitted the assessments required under subsection (c).”
“(a) Limitation on Retirement or Divestment.--None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force may be obligated or expended to retire, divest, place in storage, transfer to nonoperational status, or prepare for retirement any MQ-9 Reaper aircraft.”
“Of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2027 for the Air Force for the procurement of C-37 aircraft, not more than 50 percent may be obligated or expended until a period of 30 days has elapsed following the date on which the Secretary of the Air Force submits to the congressional defense committees-- (1) the acquisition strategy for such aircraft; and [[Page H4758]] (2) a justification for using other than competitive procedures under section 3204 of title 10, United States Code, for the award of a contract for the procurement of such aircraft. SEC. 147. LIMITATION ON RETIREMENT OF MQ-9 REAPER AIRCRAFT.”
“(3) Modernization and recapitalization efforts, including block upgrades and procurement schedules. (4) Planned basing actions for fielding C-130J aircraft to recapitalize C-130H aircraft. SEC. 146. LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR C-37 AIRCRAFT RECAPITALIZATION PROGRAM.”
“(b) Extension of Prohibition on Reduction of C-130 Aircraft Assigned to National Guard.--Section 146(b)(1) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263; 136 Stat. 2455), as most recently amended by section 145(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Public Law 119-60; 139 Stat. 760), is further amended by striking ``2026'' and inserting ``2028''. (c) Report Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report detailing the following: (1) The total number and variant types of C-130 aircraft in the inventory of the Air Force. (2) Any planned retirements, divestments, or reductions to the fleet of such aircraft.”
“174) is amended-- (1) by striking ``by this Act or by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263)'' and inserting ``to the Department of Defense for any of fiscal years 2023 through 2030''; and (2) by inserting ``to another military department or'' after ``evaluated for potential transfer''. SEC. 145. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO C-130 AIRCRAFT. (a) Extension of Minimum Inventory Requirement.--Section 146(a)(3)(B) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263; 136 Stat. 2455), as most recently amended by section 145(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Public Law 119-60; 139 Stat. 760), is further amended by striking ``2026'' and inserting ``2028''.”
“(c) Capability Assurance.--The Secretary of Air Force shall certify to the congressional defense committees that-- (1) the plan under subsection (b) will ensure there is no degradation in the airborne early warning, battle management, and command and control capabilities available to support combatant commands; and (2) any proposed retirement of E-3 aircraft will not result in a gap in operational coverage, mission availability, or responsiveness to the demands of the combatant commands. SEC. 144. EVALUATION FOR POTENTIAL TRANSFER OF CERTAIN A-10 AIRCRAFT AMONG MILITARY DEPARTMENTS. Section 137(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31; 137 Stat.”
“(b) Requirement to Plan and Budget for E-7 Program of Record.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees-- (1) a detailed schedule for procurement, fielding, and achievement of initial and full operating capability for E-7 Wedgetail aircraft; and (2) a funding profile across the period covered by the Future Years Defense Program sufficient to meet the requirements of paragraph (1).”
“(a) Extension and Modification of Minimum Inventory Requirement.--Section 149 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Public Law 119-60) is amended-- (1) by striking ``below 16'' each place it appears and inserting ``below 15''; and (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``fiscal year 2026'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2026 or 2027''.”
“(b) Authority to Increase Planned Procurement.--Beginning on October 1, 2026, the Secretary of the Air Force may increase the total planned procurement of F-15EX aircraft to beyond 267 aircraft. SEC. 142. EXTENSION OF PROHIBITION ON RETIREMENT OF F-22 AIRCRAFT. Section 9062(k)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ``September 30, 2027'' and inserting ``September 30, 2032''. SEC. 143. LIMITATION ON RETIREMENT OF E-3 AIRBORNE WARNING AND CONTROL SYSTEM AIRCRAFT AND REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO E-7 AIRCRAFT.”
“``(2) In this subsection: ``(A) The term `fighter aircraft'-- ``(i) means an aircraft that-- ``(I) is designated by a mission design series prefix of F- or A-; ``(II) is manned by one or two crewmembers; and ``(III) executes single-role or multi-role missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack, air interdiction, suppression or destruction of enemy air defenses, close air support, strike control and reconnaissance, combat search and rescue support, or airborne forward air control; and ``(ii) does not include collaborative combat aircraft. ``(B) The term `primary mission aircraft inventory' means aircraft assigned to meet the primary aircraft authorization to a unit for the performance of its wartime mission.''. (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on October 1, 2026.”