What does Preamble of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The Act authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense. It also authorizes appropriations for military construction and defense activities of the Department of Energy. The Act prescribes military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2026. The Act includes provisions for 'other purposes'.

What does DEFINITIONS. of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. In divisions A through D, 'this Act' refers to divisions A through D. The term 'congressional defense committees' is defined by section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code.

What does BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF THIS ACT. of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 do?

This section outlines how the budgetary effects of this Act will be determined. The determination of budgetary effects is for compliance with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010. Budgetary effects will be based on a statement jointly submitted by the Chairmen of the House and Senate Budget Committees. The statement must be titled 'Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation' and submitted before the House vote on passage.

What does JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT. of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 do?

This section establishes that a joint explanatory statement regarding the Act, printed in the Congressional Record, will have the same effect as a joint explanatory statement of a committee of conference. The joint explanatory statement was printed on or about December 10, 2025. The statement was provided by the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services.

What does > MULTIYEAR PROCUREMENT of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 do?

This section authorizes the Secretary of the Army to enter into multiyear contracts for the procurement of UH-60 Blackhawk aircraft, starting with the fiscal year 2027 program year. Payments under contracts entered into under this section for fiscal years after 2027 are contingent on the availability of appropriations or funds. The Secretary of the Army is also authorized to enter into contracts beginning in fiscal year 2026 for advance procurement related to the Blackhawk aircraft, potentially including economic order quantities of materials and equipment to achieve cost savings.

What does AUTHORIZATION TO INITIATE EARLY PRODUCTION OF FUTURE of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 do?

This section authorizes the Secretary of the Army to enter into contracts for the procurement of future long-range assault aircraft before full-rate production. The early production effort aims to expedite delivery of operational capability, maintain momentum between testing and production, stabilize the workforce and industrial base, and mitigate cost escalation. The Secretary must prioritize program continuity, cost-efficiency, and workforce retention, particularly for tiltrotor aircraft. Aircraft procured during early production must incorporate lessons learned from testing and maintain design flexibility for future upgrades. The program must complete developmental and operational testing before delivery to operational forces and full-rate production. The Secretary of the Army must brief the congressional defense committees within 180 days of the Act's enactment on the implementation plan, industrial base readiness, and estimated cost savings and operational benefits.

What does LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 do?

This section limits the availability of funds for the Army's Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) portfolio of capabilities for fiscal year 2026. No more than 50 percent of authorized funds can be obligated or expended until the Secretary of the Army submits a report to the congressional defense committees. The required report must include detailed funding plans for the Army's tactical network, along with a cost and capability assessment. The report must also detail testing and fielding plans for new procurements, explaining how they meet resiliency requirements and utilize NSA-certified encryption. Integration plans for existing and new programs of record, ensuring interoperability with Army and foreign partner systems, are required. The report must outline plans for developmental and operational testing before fielding new capabilities.

What does MODIFICATION TO REQUIREMENTS FOR RECAPITALIZATION OF of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 do?

This section modifies Section 127 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. It defines 'covered F-18 aircraft' for the purposes of recapitalization requirements. Covered F-18 aircraft can be eight F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft procured in fiscal year 2023. Alternatively, covered aircraft can be Block II or newer F/A-18E/F aircraft with at least 2,000 flight hours remaining and designated for the Navy Reserve. The Secretary of the Navy must ensure the Naval Aviation Master Aviation Plan is updated and relevant to Navy Reserve aviation units.

What does MODIFICATION TO LIMITATIONS ON NAVY MEDIUM AND LARGE of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 do?

This section repeals Section 122 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The Secretary of the Navy is restricted from awarding contracts or obligating funds for covered programs unless they include a requirement for a 720-hour operational demonstration. The operational demonstration must occur without preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, or emergent repairs. The demonstration must cover the main propulsion system and the electrical generation and distribution system. The Secretary of the Navy cannot accept delivery of articles until certifying to the congressional defense committees that the operational demonstration has been successfully completed. Contract financing payments are limited to 90% for small businesses and 80% for other businesses until the certification is submitted. A 'covered program' refers to programs for medium or large unmanned surface vessels. An 'operational demonstration' is defined as a land-based or sea-based test in vessel-representative form.

What does RECAPITALIZATION OF NAVY WATERBORNE SECURITY BARRIERS; of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 do?

This section modifies Section 130 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, as amended by section 123 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. The modification inserts “; recapitalization” after “barriers” in the section heading. Subsection (a) is amended to extend the timeframe to 'through 2026' and remove references to subsections (b) and (c). Subsection (b) is removed, and subsections (c) and (d) are redesignated as (b) and (c), respectively. A new subsection (d), titled 'Recapitalization,' is added, requiring the Secretary of the Navy to submit a plan to replace legacy waterborne security barriers for Navy ports. The plan, due by April 1, 2026, must include a Navy requirements document, a certification of capability exceeding legacy barriers, an acquisition strategy, and a certification of full and open competition. Implementation of the plan must be completed by September 30, 2027.

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National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Last updated: 12/18/2025 · Introduced: 3/14/2025

Author: John Cornyn (R-TX)

AI TL;DR will appear after bill summary generation completes.

119th CongressenactedS. 3469(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 3 more.

5 sections

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National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Other Sections

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DIVISION D

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DIVISION D / TITLE I

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