Letter on Air Force and Space Force Priorities for the FY27 NDAA Conference

Dear Chairmen Wicker and Rogers and Ranking Members Reed and Smith:

As you complete the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) offers the following recommendations to strengthen Air Force readiness and modernization, support the Space Force, and advance homeland missile defense. We appreciate the bipartisan work of your committees.

Our recommendations distinguish specific provisions for conference consideration from additional funding and force development priorities. References below identify S. 4784 as the Senate bill and H.R. 8800 as the House bill.

RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOUSE AND SENATE PROVISIONS

F-35 multiyear procurement— Senate Section 132 and House Section 162. AFA supports including multiyear procurement authority in the final NDAA. Consistent with our original recommendation, we ask conferees to omit House subsection 162(c), which adds savings certification and readiness reporting requirements as conditions for entering multiyear contracts, as well as a related limitation on official travel funds. AFA supports congressional oversight of cost and readiness while seeking timely execution of cost-saving multiyear procurement.

Fighter inventory— Senate Section 131 and House Section 141(a). AFA supports the proposed minimum inventory of 1,800 fighter aircraft through October 1, 2035, and at least 1,369 combat-coded fighters by December 31, 2030. We also support the House provision establishing a minimum of 1,558 combat-coded fighters by December 31, 2035. However, AFA believes the nation would be better served by increasing the year 2035 combat-coded minimum by 15 percent, to 1,792 aircraft. The higher number is needed given the rapid rate of growth of China’s air force.

E-7 acquisition and E-3 retention— Senate Section 135 and House Section 143. AFA supports the Senate prohibition on pausing, canceling, or terminating the E-7 program, together with the House requirements for a procurement and fielding schedule, operational capability milestones, and a Future Years Defense Program funding profile. On E-3 retention, we favor the Senate requirement to retain at least 16 aircraft until sufficient E-7s have been delivered to accomplish the required mission load, rather than the House provision reducing the minimum to 15.

F-15EX procurement— Senate Section 133 and House Section 161. AFA supports multiyear procurement authority for the F-15EX. We also support House Section 141(b), permitting planned procurement beyond 267 aircraft. These authorities should provide a stable foundation for production and fleet recapitalization.

F-22 retention— House Section 142. AFA supports extending the prohibition on F-22 retirement from September 30, 2027, to September 30, 2032, to preserve essential capacity while replacement capabilities are developed and fielded.

MQ-9 retention and inventory— Senate Section 134. AFA supports the divestment limitation in subsection (a). We recommend modifying subsection (b) to require a primary mission aircraft inventory of at least 205 and a total active inventory of at least 225 MQ-9 aircraft. These are AFA’s proposed inventory levels, rather than the Senate bill’s existing minimum of 180 total aircraft beginning October 1, 2028. House Section 147 separately addresses MQ-9 retirement and replacement capability; conferees should reconcile these provisions to preserve sufficient operational capacity.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft— House Section 173. AFA supports the sense of Congress calling for prioritization of funding to achieve a minimum viable fielded and operational capability by the end of FY 2028. Continued investment should support development, testing, and acquisition as capabilities are demonstrated.

ADDITIONAL AFA FUNDING AND FORCE DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES

In addition to the provision-specific recommendations above, AFA urges attention to the following priorities. These requests include budget and longer-term force objectives; they should not be read as descriptions of requirements already contained in the cited provisions. Where appropriations action is necessary, we encourage coordination with the appropriations committees.

Air Force procurement and modernization. AFA urges a path toward at least 60 F-35As annually, beginning multiyear procurement in FY 2027 at the highest feasible rate. At a minimum, we support the full discretionary and mandatory budget request for 38 F-35As in FY 2027. We also support eventual procurement of 36 F-15EXs annually and restoration of the previous plan to acquire 26 E-7s.

AFA requests authorization and corresponding appropriations for eight EA-37B aircraft in FY 2027, five above the budget request, to advance acquisition of 22 aircraft by FY 2031. We support approximately $5 billion for F-47 development in FY 2027 and accelerated development and production toward a force of 381 combat-capable aircraft. For the B-21, we support the requested $6.1 billion in discretionary research, development, and advance procurement funding, together with expanded production capacity to deliver at least 225 aircraft by 2040. HH-60W and MH-139 procurement should meet Air Force mission requirements.

Readiness and sustainment. AFA requests full funding of the Air Force’s weapon systems sustainment requirement and resources sufficient for fighter pilots to fly at least three sorties per week and 200 hours annually, and for bomber and support aircrews to fly at least four hours per week. Spare parts, maintenance resources, and aircraft availability must support these training objectives.

Space Force funding and infrastructure. AFA supports the full $71.1 billion FY 2027 Space Force budget request, including its discretionary and mandatory components, and the approximately $1 billion requested within the budget for four operations centers. Above the budget request, we recommend an additional $1.7 billion for infrastructure and $500 million for military construction. Secure facilities, information technology, and training infrastructure must keep pace with mission growth.

Space Force personnel. AFA supports the objective of reaching 25,000 uniformed personnel and 12,500 civilian personnel by FY 2031. We encourage a phased workforce plan connecting personnel growth to mission requirements, recruiting and training capacity, and supporting facilities.

Golden Dome. AFA supports timely development of an integrated homeland air and missile defense capability, with sustained funding, appropriate long-term contracting authorities, and clear milestones and congressional oversight. We encourage conferees to address necessary program authorities and work with the appropriations committees on funding and any new-start restrictions that could delay essential activities under a continuing resolution.

Predictable acquisition, adequate sustainment, and sufficient personnel and infrastructure are essential to delivering operational capability. Thank you for considering these recommendations and for your continued support of our Airmen, Guardians, and their families.

Respectfully,