The measure is envisioned as part of a “minibus” of spending bills that lawmakers must pass by Jan. 30, when the current continuing resolution expires. According to analyst Byron Callan of Capital Alpha Partners, the bill adds $17 billion above the Pentagon’s $832 billion topline request, not including $156 billion approved last year in the Big Beautiful Bill Act reconciliation package.
If enacted, Air Force procurement funding would rise by $3 billion to $57.3 billion, compared with the service’s $54.2 billion request. Operations and maintenance funding would fall by $1.4 billion, research and development spending would decline by $887 million, and personnel accounts would drop by $373 million, resulting in a net increase of $401 million.
Lawmakers moved to protect the E-7 Wedgetail after the Trump administration proposed canceling the program in its 2026 budget request. The bill includes $900 million for the aircraft, bringing total 2026 funding to $1.1 billion to “continue E-7 rapid prototyping activities and transition to engineering and manufacturing development aircraft,” according to the joint congressional statement.
Congress did not increase the number of Air Force F-35As beyond the requested 24 aircraft, while funding 23 F-35B and C variants for the Navy and Marine Corps. The bill includes about $401 million to address “economic” factors linked to projected “price increases in the Lot 18 production contract” stemming from supply chain challenges.
The F-35 Joint Program Office and contractor Lockheed Martin finalized Lot 18 and 19 contracts covering 296 aircraft for $24.29 billion, while negotiations on Lot 20 continue. Lawmakers also added $140 million for F135 engine spare parts and $80 million for airframe components to improve readiness.
Congress included $531 million in advance procurement funding to support future aircraft buys. Separately, lawmakers added $115 million to purchase an additional F-15EX Eagle II, increasing the Air Force’s 2026 buy to 22 aircraft.
The largest fighter funding increase was directed at the sixth-generation F-47, with an added $500 million raising total funding to $3.08 billion. Appropriators said the increase was intended “to address Department-identified needs after passage of [reconciliation] and emergent requirements.”
Lawmakers also added $897 million for the Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation fighter program. In a joint statement, appropriators directed the Navy to use the funds “to continue F/A-XX development” and award an engineering, manufacturing, and development contract “to achieve an accelerated Initial Operational Capability.”
Additional aircraft purchases are included across multiple mission areas. Congress provided $976 million for six C-130J transports for the Air National Guard and $194 million for a new LC-130J “Skibird” to replace aging aircraft.
The bill also adds $494 million for two EA-37 Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft, bringing the fleet to its planned size of 12. Lawmakers included $250 million for a C-40 executive transport and $100 million for additional HH-60W helicopters, which budget documents suggest would fund two aircraft plus associated costs.
Pressure is mounting on Congress to pass the legislation before the Jan. 30 deadline. Lawmakers appear reluctant to risk another partial government shutdown following last fall’s disruption, which led to the current continuing resolution.
Source: Air & Space Force Magazine.
