S. 4374 — Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026

This section authorizes the Secretary of the Defense, subject to 10 U.S.C. §3501 (with exceptions), to enter into one or more multiyear contracts for the procurement of F–35A, F–35B, F–35C, and F–15EX aircraft and related advance procurement contracts for key components in economic order quantities. The section (1) deems such contracts to satisfy the findings requirements of §3501(a), (2) waives the request requirement of §3501(i)(2), (3) requires a report to Congress within 90 days of enactment containing preliminary findings under §3501(a)(1)–(6), and (4) requires a description of advance-procured components in any certification under §3501(i)(3). (Multiyear procurement authority enables the Department of Defense to secure lower costs and production stability by committing to aircraft purchases across multiple fiscal years.)

This section modifies minimum inventory requirements for Air Force fighter aircraft under 10 U.S.C. §9062(i), effective October 1, 2026, by requiring (1) a total fighter aircraft inventory (i.e., manned F- or A-series aircraft executing combat missions, excluding collaborative combat aircraft) of not less than 1,800 aircraft from October 1, 2026, through October 1, 2035; and (2) a total combat-coded fighter aircraft inventory (i.e., aircraft in the primary mission aircraft inventory, backup aircraft inventory, and attrition reserve) of not less than 1,369 aircraft by December 31, 2030, and not less than 1,558 aircraft by December 31, 2035. (As background, these requirements establish statutory floors on Air Force fighter force structure to support combat readiness.)

This section authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to increase the F–15EX aircraft fleet from 129 to 329 aircraft, subject to the condition that any aircraft procured after the first 129 be used exclusively to recapitalize the Air Force's F–15E aircraft fleet.