H.R. 2327 — Air National Guard Squadron Preservation Act of 2025

This section declares it the policy of the United States to maintain the capabilities, experience, and strength of the Total Fighter Force needed to confront any threats by ensuring the service retains force structure through fully recapitalized fighter aircraft squadrons across the Air National Guard.

This section amends the sustainment and recapitalization plan for the Air National Guard fighter fleet required under section 154(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159) to explicitly include fifth generation fighter aircraft in addition to legacy capability fighter aircraft. It requires the Secretary of the Air Force to ensure continued production and procurement of at least one model of advanced capability fighter aircraft (i.e., Block 70/72 or later variant of the F-16, F-15EX, future variants, or other non-fifth generation advanced fighters designated by the Secretary) and at least one model of fifth generation fighter aircraft until the Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees that all legacy capability fighter aircraft in covered Air National Guard fighter units (i.e., ANG fighter units not yet commenced or completed in replacing such aircraft) have been replaced with advanced capability or fifth generation aircraft. (Thus, the Secretary must enter into new contracts or modify existing ones for these procurements.) It further directs the Comptroller General to review challenges in procuring advanced capability fighter aircraft, including recommendations to address them, and to provide a briefing to the congressional defense committees within one year of enactment followed by a final report within 30 days thereafter. The Secretary must then submit reports to the committees on progress in implementing the Comptroller General's recommendations and replacing legacy aircraft (including with next-generation air dominance fighters) within 180 days of the final report and annually thereafter. Additionally, it requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Air National Guard, to conduct a feasibility study on procuring advanced capability fighter aircraft for Air Force active and reserve components. The study must assess integration of unmanned or autonomous capabilities, cost savings from foreign sales of Block 70/72 or later F-16 variants, eligible units for recapitalization, alignment with combatant commander requirements, and the viability of multiyear procurement; the Secretary must submit findings to the congressional defense committees within 180 days of enactment.