Draft Authorization Proposal by HASC Aims to Prevent E-7 Retirements and Halts A-10 Retirement Plans
The House Armed Services Committee has passed a draft of the 2026 defense policy bill, authorizing a combined budget of at least $211.3 billion for the Air Force and Space Force, within a total military authorization of $848.2 billion. The bill, which passed with a vote of 55-2, aims to maintain and grow the readiness and modernization of these branches amid evolving global threats.
Key details of the bill include the support for programs such as the purchase of two E-7 Wedgetail airborne target-tracking jet prototypes, blocking the retirement of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes, and boosting funding to over $3 billion for the new Sentinel ground-based nuclear missiles.
One of the notable provisions in the bill is the halt on the Air Force's plan to retire or shrink the A-10 "Warthogs" below 162 planes until October 1, 2027. The legislation also blocks the retirement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes.
The bill also saves the Air Force's plan to buy two E-7 Wedgetail airborne target-tracking jet prototypes from cancellation. The entirety of the Air Force's F-15EX procurement for FY26 is authorized by the reconciliation bill.
Lawmakers have backed multiple provisions meant to bolster the mobility and aerial refueling fleets. However, a provision stops the Pentagon from bringing on more than 183 KC-46 Pegasus tankers until a corrective action plan is in place for all of the plane's major design issues.
The bill also maintains the inventory requirement of 271 C-130 aircraft for intra-theater airlift. Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) emphasizes strong support for airborne force projection.
Eleven amendments made it through the markup for consideration by the full House, including measures related to military aid to Ukraine, military diversity, and military installations names. The authorization bill allows the military to spend money provided by congressional appropriators when the next fiscal year begins on October 1.
The Senate and House Armed Services Committees have both finalized their respective versions of the annual defense policy bill. The legislation will head to a vote by the full chambers before a group of lawmakers try to cobble the two bills into a final draft. A compromise bill typically heads to the president's desk at the end of the calendar year.
No significant investments in new aircraft production are included in the bill. The bill does not include provisions for the production of the next-generation F-47 program, as an amendment in the bill presses the Air Force for a report on the program.
Rep. Mike Rogers, committee chair, stated that the bill's passage is crucial for maintaining a ready, lethal, and capable fighting force. The bill looks to save the Air Force's plan to buy two E-7 Wedgetail airborne target-tracking jet prototypes from cancellation, boost funding for the new Sentinel ground-based nuclear missiles to over $3 billion, and maintain the inventory requirement of 271 C-130 aircraft for intra-theater airlift. By 2027, the air refueling aircraft floor is expected to be raised to 504 aircraft.
- The House Armed Services Committee has authorized a combined budget of at least $211.3 billion for the Air Force and Space Force, as part of the 2026 defense policy bill, which aims to maintain and grow the readiness and modernization of these branches amid evolving global threats.
- One of the notable provisions in the bill is the halt on the Air Force's plan to retire or shrink the A-10 "Warthogs" below 162 planes until October 1, 2026.
- The legislation also blocks the retirement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes and saves the Air Force's plan to buy two E-7 Wedgetail airborne target-tracking jet prototypes from cancellation.
- Lawmakers have backed multiple provisions meant to bolster the mobility and airlift fleets, including maintaining the inventory requirement of 271 C-130 aircraft for intra-theater airlift and raising the air refueling aircraft floor to 504 aircraft by 2027.
- The bill does not include provisions for the production of the next-generation F-47 program, but an amendment in the bill presses the Air Force for a report on the program.
- The bill looks to boost funding for the new Sentinel ground-based nuclear missiles to over $3 billion and aims to provide the military with the necessary resources to ensure security, space force, and aviation technology prowess in sports and defense.
