In a significant move, U.S. lawmakers have reached a compromise on the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), releasing the bill late Sunday. The legislation proposes an increase of $8 billion over the budget initially requested by the Trump administration, focusing on critical defense programs within the Pentagon. If enacted, this bill will shape various key military initiatives, although final funding will ultimately depend on congressional appropriators.
According to Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington, the appropriators’ decisions will heavily influence the final budget. Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum, he noted, “Mostly we like to follow their money, but since they didn’t put a number out there, we can’t move our bill forward without having a number.”
Key Provisions in Air and Space
This year’s NDAA includes several provisions aimed at enhancing the Air Force’s capabilities, notably the E-7 Wedgetail program. The program, which faced potential cancellation under previous administrations, is allocated $846.7 million to continue its development and procurement. The bill also authorizes $250 million for a new C-40 aircraft, designated for VIP transport, amidst ongoing skepticism from lawmakers.
Another significant aspect of the NDAA is the requirement for the Air Force to maintain a minimum of 502 tankers in its inventory by October 2028, an increase from the current requirement of 466. Despite plans to retire the KC-10 Extender, lawmakers have mandated the preservation of retired aircraft in storage. Additionally, the bill aims to slow down the planned retirements of A-10 aircraft and F-15Es.
While the NDAA does not include new purchases of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, it allocates an extra $250 million for spare parts for F-35A models and $125 million each for F-35B and F-35C models. Furthermore, it reduces $300 million across various accounts for the jet’s Block 4 upgrade, citing delays in development.
On the space front, the bill directs the Air Force Secretary to collaborate with the Department of Defense’s undersecretary for intelligence and security to assess the establishment of a tactical surveillance and reconnaissance program by July 31, 2026. This move codifies the Space Force’s pilot program for acquiring commercial remote sensing data, which was established following negotiations with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in May. Lawmakers also require annual reports detailing requests made to the NGA for space-based remote sensing products, with the first report due in February.
Army’s Focus on Black Hawk Modernization
The NDAA grants the Army new multiyear procurement authority for Black Hawk UH-60 helicopters, starting in fiscal year 2027. This decision comes amidst the Army’s Transformation Initiative, which has prompted cuts in its aviation portfolio while prioritizing the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program.
Earlier in the year, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George had avoided questions regarding the future of the Black Hawk, emphasizing instead their focus on FLRAA production. Yet, in a recent statement, Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, Program Acquisition Executive of Maneuver Air, assured that the Black Hawk helicopters will remain operational, stating, “We’re not getting rid of Black Hawk anytime soon.”
The compromise NDAA reflects this commitment, authorizing an additional $100 million for Black Hawk modernization. Moreover, it allows for early production of the FLRAA, enabling the Secretary of the Army to enter contracts prior to full-rate production of the new aircraft.
The bill mandates that Secretary Driscoll provide a briefing to Congress within 180 days after the NDAA’s enactment, outlining the implementation plan for early FLRAA production, including industrial readiness and supply chain coordination, and potential long-term cost savings.
As the NDAA progresses through Congress, its implications for the U.S. military’s operational capabilities and modernization efforts are significant, impacting a range of defense programs critical to national security.
