Differences in Defense Bills Emerge as Air Force Looks Ahead, with Both House and Senate in Progression
As the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) moves through Congress with bipartisan support, let's take a closer look at the proposed budget and program changes that could significantly impact the Air Force and Space Force.
Budget Authorization
The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has proposed a budget of approximately $878.7 billion for the Defense Department, including all services, surpassing the Pentagon's request. The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) has proposed a budget of about $848.2 billion, which matches the Pentagon's request.
Air Force Aircraft Acquisitions and Retirements
The NDAA includes provisions to restrict or block the retirement of certain "workhorse" Air Force planes, notably the A-10 Thunderbolt II. The House bill prohibits shrinking the A-10 inventory below 162 aircraft until October 1, 2027. The Senate is more restrictive, prohibiting the use of funds to retire the fleet below 103 aircraft. The Air Force wants to divest the remainder of its A-10s; three Air National Guard wings currently operate the fighter. The NDAA also extends a prohibition on reducing C-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to the Air Guard.
Specific Acquisitions
While the currently available committee reports and bill text do not explicitly mention changes to budgets or procurement plans for the E-7 Wedgetail early warning aircraft, additional F-35A Lightning II jets, the Long-Range Standoff Weapon (LRSO), or the Sentinel ground-based nuclear missile, further details might be contained within the full classified budget documents or later in committee floor debates or conference reports.
Space Force
There is no specific mention in the initial Senate or House NDAA committee releases about changes to the Space Force budget or programs such as space acquisition or development projects in the FY 2026 NDAA.
Notable Provisions
- The Senate bill dictates that the Air Force should have no fewer than 400 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) on alert at any given time except when transitioning between the current Minuteman III missiles and the new Sentinel fleet.
- The bill bolsters aircraft purchases and research-and-development programs, including major boosts to the E-7 Wedgetail airborne target-tracking jet and Sentinel ground-based nuclear missile.
In conclusion, while the FY 2026 NDAA includes personnel pay raises and certain aircraft retention mandates (notably A-10 and C-130), specific acquisition updates for the E-7 Wedgetail, F-35A, Long-Range Standoff Weapon, and Sentinel missile, as well as explicit changes to Space Force budgets, have not been detailed yet in publicly available documents. Further details will likely emerge during floor debates, conference negotiations, or in subsequent appropriations bills.
- The Senate Armed Services Committee has proposed a budget for the Defense Department that exceeds the Pentagon's request, while the House Armed Services Committee has proposed a budget that matches the Pentagon's request.
- The NDAA includes provisions to restrict or block the retirement of certain Air Force planes, such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II, and extends a prohibition on reducing C-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to the Air Guard.
- Although the current NDAA committee reports and bill text do not explicitly mention changes to budgets or procurement plans for the E-7 Wedgetail early warning aircraft, additional F-35A Lightning II jets, the Long-Range Standoff Weapon (LRSO), or the Sentinel ground-based nuclear missile, further details might be contained within the full classified budget documents or later in committee floor debates or conference reports.
- There is no specific mention in the initial Senate or House NDAA committee releases about changes to the Space Force budget or programs such as space acquisition or development projects in the FY 2026 NDAA.
- The Senate bill dictates that the Air Force should maintain no fewer than 400 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) on alert at any given time, except when transitioning between the current Minuteman III missiles and the new Sentinel fleet.
- The bill bolsters aircraft purchases and research-and-development programs, including major boosts to the E-7 Wedgetail airborne target-tracking jet and Sentinel ground-based nuclear missile, indicating a focus on military technology and defense.
