Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Mike Crapo
Introduced
Summary
This bill would raise the Air Force's minimum fighter inventory to 1,900 and require prioritizing recapitalization for existing squadrons. It also tightens reporting and limits how long the total fleet can be reduced during recapitalization.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Clear definitions for fighter types
If enacted, this bill would add clear definitions for terms used in the recapitalization rules. It would define advanced capability fighters (including F‑16 Block 70/72 and F‑15EX, but not upgraded legacy variants), fifth‑generation fighters (F‑22 and F‑35), legacy capability fighters (pre‑fifth‑generation models), next‑generation air dominance fighters (sixth‑generation crewed types), fighter aircraft, and what counts as a service‑retained unit. These definitions decide which aircraft and units count under the bill.
Higher Air Force fighter targets
If enacted, this bill would raise the Air Force's minimum total fighter aircraft goal from 1,800 to 1,900. It would raise the high‑intensity legacy target from 1,145 to 1,200. It would move the deadline to meet the inventory to October 1, 2030. These changes would work with separate rules that allow limited temporary reductions during recapitalization.
New fighters prioritized to existing squadrons
If enacted, this bill would require that at least three of every four new advanced, fifth‑generation, or next‑generation fighters accepted by the Air Force be assigned to squadrons that existed on the date of enactment and are service retained. For each new aircraft delivered to such a squadron, the Secretary may retire one legacy capability fighter from that same squadron on a one‑for‑one basis.
Protecting Air National Guard squadrons
If enacted, this bill would require keeping at least 25 Air National Guard fighter squadrons from December 23, 2024 through October 1, 2030, including the 25 that existed on December 23, 2024. It would bar retiring, cutting funding for, or placing in inactive status fighters assigned to those squadrons, except for aircraft the Secretary determines are uneconomical to repair. For each new advanced or fifth‑generation aircraft assigned to a preserved squadron, the Secretary may retire one legacy aircraft one‑for‑one. The Secretary must also send an annual ANG Fighter Recapitalization Plan to Congress by July 1 each year through 2030.
Temporary fighter reductions allowed
If enacted, this bill would let the Secretary temporarily lower the fighter inventory goal to help recapitalize units moving to new fighters. Any temporary cut could not drop the total below 1,800 aircraft. Any allowed reduction could not last more than two years. The Secretary must notify the congressional defense committees and identify the units before approving a cut; that notice may be in the required quarterly report.
Quarterly fighter inventory reporting rule
If enacted, this bill would require the Secretary of the Air Force to report to congressional defense committees within 90 days of enactment and every fiscal quarter through September 30, 2030. Each report must list new aircraft received, mission series prefixes, vendors, assignments by component, legacy retirements by unit, units set for recapitalization, and notable trends. If the Secretary misses a required report, no funds could be used for the Secretary's travel until the report is submitted.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Mike Crapo
ID • R
Cosponsors
John Hickenlooper
CO • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
James Risch
ID • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Mark Kelly
AZ • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Jim Banks
IN • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Elissa Slotkin
MI • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Rick Scott
FL • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Gary Peters
MI • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Todd Young
IN • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Angela Alsobrooks
MD • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Ted Cruz
TX • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Chris Van Hollen
MD • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Michael Bennet
CO • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Alex Padilla
CA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Tina Smith
MN • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Ruben Gallego
AZ • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
John Kennedy
LA • R
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Cory Booker
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/17/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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