AFA Welcomes Key Air Force Provisions in House FY2027 NDAA

ARLINGTON, Va., June 24, 2026 — Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) leaders met with Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) on Capitol Hill and thanked him for his work securing key legislative provisions in the House version of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.

As chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, Wittman secured Pentagon authority for multi-year procurement of both the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter and the F-15EX Eagle II. He also championed continued support for the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) fleet and procurement of its replacement, the E-7 Wedgetail—both key AFA legislative priorities. 

“Multi-year procurement of F-35 and F-15EX will ensure the Air Force gets best value for its money as we reconstitute the USAF fighter force,” said AFA Chair of the Board Kathleen Ferguson. “Just as critical, the E-7 Wedgetail will make a strategic difference in enhancing the capabilities of our Air Force to deter and, when necessary, fight and defeat our nation’s adversaries. On behalf of AFA’s 350,000-plus members, we are profoundly grateful to Chairman Wittman for these vital contributions to this bill.”

“Dominant Air and Space Forces are the foundation of a strong national defense, and ensuring our Airmen and Guardians are equipped to counter the threats posed by potential adversaries is a crucial part of our mission,” said AFA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.). “Our adversaries are innovating at both the high and low end of aerial combat and the U.S. must do all it can to ensure future air and space superiority.”

The U.S. Air Force fighter fleet has shrunk in recent years as procurement fell below the replacement rate, leaving it 50 percent smaller than the inventory at the time of Operation Desert Storm. China, meanwhile, is rapidly growing its air force. Beijing is outproducing the United States in fighter aircraft and is on pace to field 1,000 fifth-generation fighters—more than today’s U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps combined.

Multi-year procurement offers a path to close that gap. The approach provides the defense industrial base with long-term certainty, reduces program risk, and saves taxpayers money.

“Rep. Wittman’s leadership on this issue has been fundamental and will have a lasting impact,” Field said.

Meanwhile, Wittman’s support for the E-7 Wedgetail answers another urgent need. In 2025, when the E-7 faced cancellation, AFA rallied an unprecedented coalition of 16 retired four-star Air Force generals—including six former chiefs of staff. Their joint letter warned of the grave risk to U.S. air superiority. “Chairman Wittman saw the need and was quick to act,” Field said. “His legislation this year will further ensure our Air Force is equipped to deter and defeat adversaries in future conflicts.”

“I am thankful for AFA’s support of this critical legislation that will ensure our Air and Space Forces remain dominant on the battlefields of today and tomorrow. Quantity has a quality of its own, and we must expeditiously grow our tactical fighter fleet to maintain our military edge over our adversaries. Further, we must ensure an effective bridge between legacy airborne early warning and control aircraft to the next generation, E-7 aircraft,” said Wittman. “I was proud to work with my colleagues to ensure the Tactical Air and Land Forces mark of the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act provides necessary authorities to expand F-35 and F-15EX production while expediting development of our future AWACS platform.”

About AFA 

The Air & Space Forces Association is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 association dedicated to advocating for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, Airmen, Guardians, and their Families. Founded in 1946, AFA is the single largest entity of its kind focused on air and space power. With more than 350,000 members and 200 chapters spread around the world, our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air Force and Space Force as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect the enduring heritage of the Air Force and Space Force.