Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
Introduced
Summary
Authorizes multiyear contracts to buy F-35 and F-15EX aircraft. It also sets new Air Force fighter inventory floors and allows a large F-15EX fleet increase with a recapitalization condition.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Increase F-15EX fleet size
If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary of the Air Force increase the F-15EX fleet from 129 to 329 aircraft. If enacted, any F-15EX bought after the first 129 would have to be used only to recapitalize the Air Force's F-15E fleet. If enacted, this authority would take effect upon enactment and is subject to the bill's subsection (b).
Minimum Air Force fighter inventory
If enacted, the bill would require the Air Force to keep at least 1,800 fighter aircraft from October 1, 2026 through October 1, 2035. If enacted, it would also require at least 1,369 combat-coded fighter aircraft by December 31, 2030, and at least 1,558 by December 31, 2035. The bill defines which planes count as "fighter aircraft" (those with an F- or A- mission prefix, one or two crew, and specified combat or attack roles) and says collaborative combat aircraft are excluded. If enacted, these inventory rules would take effect on October 1, 2026.
Multiyear contracts for F-35 and F-15EX
If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary of Defense enter into one or more multiyear contracts to buy F-35A, F-35B, F-35C, and F-15EX aircraft, subject to 10 U.S.C. 3501 as modified by the bill. If enacted, it would also allow advance purchases of key components in economic order quantities and require any certification to describe which components will be bought. If enacted, the Secretary would have to send Congress a report with preliminary findings required under section 3501 within 90 days after enactment. The bill also says one subsection of 3501 (i)(2) would not apply for this Act and urges timely funding to help subcontractors and suppliers.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Angus King
ME • I
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Eric Schmitt
MO • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
MT • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Kevin Cramer
ND • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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