Department of the Air Force Fiscal Year 2026 Posture

2025-06-05

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Summary

This meeting of the House Armed Services Committee involved discussions on the Department of the Air Force's and Space Force's fiscal year 2026 budget requests, despite the official request not yet being received.[ 00:24:40-00:24:42 ]

Witnesses, including Secretary Meink, General Saltzman, and General Allvin, highlighted the critical need for modernization and adaptation in a complex global threat environment, emphasizing the challenges posed by China's military expansion and the increasing importance of space. [ 00:24:49-00:25:06 ] Members of Congress expressed both concern and support regarding funding shortfalls, acquisition issues, and the well-being of service members. [ 00:26:22-00:26:29 ]

Themes

Budget Constraints and Strategic Investments

The absence of the FY26 budget request made the hearing challenging, hindering Congress's ability to evaluate support for airmen and guardians. [ 00:24:42 ]

There was significant concern regarding the current level of defense spending, which is at its lowest percentage of GDP since before World War II, necessitating sustained increases beyond one-time investments like the reconciliation bill. Continuing Resolutions were identified as particularly challenging, negatively impacting innovation, acquisitions, and personnel, leading to recruitment setbacks and decreased quality of life. Strategic priorities include defending the homeland, deterring China, and projecting global power, with proposed investments in nuclear modernization, air superiority (F-47), and missile defense (Golden Dome).

Acquisition Reform and Modernization

Members raised concerns about past mismanagement and cost overruns in major programs such as Sentinel, F-35, and tankers. [ 00:26:22 ]

A key focus was improving the acquisition system by streamlining processes, empowering a skilled acquisition workforce, and leveraging innovative companies. Modernization efforts include the development of next-generation aircraft (F-47, Collaborative Combat Aircraft), upgrading existing fleets (F-35, F-15), and modernizing nuclear deterrents (Sentinel, B-21). There is a recognized need to balance high-end and low-cost capabilities, alongside divesting aging systems and excess infrastructure to free up resources.

Space Force Evolution and Threats

Space is deemed critical for national security and economic prosperity, but the Space Force needs increased resources to address rising threats and new missions, including the Golden Dome program. Key priorities include building comprehensive domain awareness, deploying resilient architectures, and developing counter-space capabilities. Acquisition reform is crucial for the rapid development and deployment of advanced space systems, a driving force behind the Space Force's creation. Concerns were raised about potential budget cuts to the Space Force despite China's significant advancements in space capabilities. The threat of anti-satellite nuclear weapons was described as a potential "day zero" event, with catastrophic consequences for space operations and global stability. [ 01:13:54-01:14:02 ]

[ 01:15:06-01:15:15 ]

Drone Warfare and Homeland Defense

Lessons from the Ukraine-Russia war highlight the effectiveness of low-cost drones against expensive military equipment, prompting discussions on the vulnerability of U.S. bases. [ 00:46:15-00:46:26 ]

A "whole-of-government" approach is advocated for addressing the drone threat within the U.S., involving interagency cooperation with bodies like the FAA and local law enforcement. [ 00:53:36-00:53:48 ] Defensive measures include developing cheaper counter-UAS systems and evolving operational concepts for base defense. [ 02:36:20-02:36:40 ] There is also concern about AI drones and the need to protect civilian transportation infrastructure from such attacks.

Personnel and Readiness Challenges

Service members are consistently identified as the most important asset, underscoring the importance of robust recruiting, comprehensive training, and strong family support structures. Budget cuts and continuing resolutions have significantly impacted recruiting goals and retention efforts. The importance of a skilled and incentivized acquisition workforce is highlighted to effectively manage complex programs. Maintaining readiness without compromising capabilities is a continuous challenge, with specific concerns raised about low mission capability rates for aircraft like the KC-46. [ 00:45:26-00:45:36 ]

Decisions regarding the divestment of aging platforms, such as the A-10s, must carefully consider the impact on force structure and ensure smooth transitions to avoid personnel gaps. [ 00:55:19-00:55:21 ]

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was primarily concerned and urgent, reflecting the seriousness of the national security challenges discussed. [ 00:24:49-00:25:06 ]

Speakers expressed significant worry over budget delays, the increasing pace of global threats from adversaries like China, and the potential for program mismanagement. [ 00:24:42 ] There was a clear sense of urgency for modernization, addressing budget shortfalls, and adapting to new warfare technologies, particularly drones. [ 00:25:19 ] Despite these concerns, the dialogue was largely collaborative and supportive, with members expressing a willingness to work with the Air Force and Space Force to find solutions for acquisition reform, budget increases, and personnel needs. However, a degree of frustration was evident regarding the repeated delays in receiving the official FY26 budget request and the ongoing impact of Continuing Resolutions on military readiness and planning. [ 00:24:42 ] The discussions maintained a strategic and forward-looking perspective, consistently focusing on adapting to future threats and ensuring long-term strategic advantage for the U.S.