Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Bacon
Introduced
Summary
Raises the Air Force's minimum fighter counts and forces a paced recapitalization while protecting Air National Guard squadrons. This bill would increase required fighter aircraft totals and set rules to speed delivery of new fighters to existing squadrons.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Higher Air Force fighter totals, short dips
The bill would raise the fighter target to 1,900 aircraft and the minimum counted inventory to 1,200. It would move the deadline to meet these targets to October 1, 2030. To swap old jets for new ones, it would allow a temporary dip, but never below 1,800 aircraft and for no more than two years. Before any dip, the Secretary of Defense would have to notify Congress and list the affected units.
Most new fighters to existing squadrons
For every four new advanced, fifth‑generation, or next‑generation fighters the Air Force accepts, at least three would go to squadrons that already exist and are service‑retained. For each such delivery, the Air Force could retire one legacy fighter in that squadron on a one‑for‑one basis. This would steer new aircraft to existing retained units first.
Protect and recapitalize Air National Guard
From December 23, 2024 through October 1, 2030, the bill would require at least 25 Air National Guard fighter squadrons to be kept. It would bar retiring, defunding, or placing into excess status aircraft in those squadrons, except individual jets that are uneconomical to repair after accidents or heavy wear. When a maintained squadron gets a new advanced or fifth‑generation jet, one legacy jet there could be retired one‑for‑one. Each year by July 1 through 2030, the Air Force would submit an ANG recapitalization plan that lists all 25 squadrons, the timetable and funding by squadron, readiness and budget effects, and whether buying F‑16 Block 70 is feasible.
Quarterly fighter inventory reports to Congress
The Air Force would file an initial report within 90 days of enactment, then a report every fiscal‑quarter through September 30, 2030. Reports would list new fighters received, vendors, model prefixes, unit assignments by component, distribution ratios, retirements by unit, and any planned recapitalizations or temporary reductions. Reports would be unclassified unless classification is needed. If a report is late, the Secretary of the Air Force could not use travel funds until it is submitted.
Clear definitions for fighter types
The bill would define which jets count as advanced capability, fifth‑generation, legacy, and next‑generation air dominance. It would name examples like F‑16 Block 70/72 and F‑15EX as advanced, and F‑22 and F‑35 as fifth‑generation, while excluding upgraded legacy variants from the advanced category. It would define “fighter aircraft,” including mission prefixes and crew size, and explain when a unit or aircraft is “service retained.” These definitions would control how aircraft are counted and assigned under the bill.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bacon
NE • R
Cosponsors
Crow
CO • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Bergman
MI • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Elfreth
MD • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
James
MI • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Kaptur
OH • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Harris (MD)
MD • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Johnson (SD)
SD • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Hoyer
MD • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Simpson
ID • R
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Olszewski
MD • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Carter (LA)
LA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Finstad
MN • R
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Norman
SC • R
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Timmons
SC • R
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Pettersen
CO • D
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Wilson (SC)
SC • R
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Mace
SC • R
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Bell
MO • D
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Hern (OK)
OK • R
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Yakym
IN • R
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Sherrill
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Mast
FL • R
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Messmer
IN • R
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Stauber
MN • R
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Ciscomani
AZ • R
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Neal
MA • D
Sponsored 4/24/2025
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 4/24/2025
Carbajal
CA • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Mfume
MD • D
Sponsored 5/19/2025
Moore (NC)
NC • R
Sponsored 6/2/2025
McClain Delaney
MD • D
Sponsored 6/6/2025
Stutzman
IN • R
Sponsored 6/24/2025
Hamadeh (AZ)
AZ • R
Sponsored 7/7/2025
Stanton
AZ • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Fulcher
ID • R
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Pfluger
TX • R
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Costa
CA • D
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Trahan
MA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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