This bill increases the Air Force's minimum fighter aircraft inventory requirements and establishes new rules for upgrading the fleet with newer aircraft. Specifically, it raises the overall minimum number of fighter aircraft from 1,800 to 1,900 and increases reserve component minimums from 1,145 to 1,200, with these requirements in effect through October 1, 2030. The legislation prioritizes giving three out of every four new advanced or fifth-generation fighter aircraft to existing Air Force squadrons, and it protects the Air National Guard by requiring the Air Force to maintain at least 25 active fighter squadrons and prevent aircraft retirement from those units without special justification. The bill requires the Air Force to submit quarterly reports to Congress on aircraft inventory status, new aircraft deliveries by type and vendor, and distribution across active duty, reserve, and National Guard units through 2030. Additionally, the Air Force must develop an annual plan to modernize the Air National Guard fighter fleet at the same pace as active-duty squadrons and examine whether to acquire newer F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Guard.
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