To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

This Act may be cited as the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026”.

(a) Divisions.—This Act is organized into ten divisions as follows:

(1) Division A—Department of Defense Authorizations.

(2) Division B—Military Construction Authorizations.

(3) Division C—Department of Energy National Security Authorizations and Other Authorizations.

(4) Division D—Funding Tables.

(5) Division E—Additional Provisions.

(6) Division F—Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

(7) Division G—Department of State Matters.

(8) Division H—Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025.

(9) Division I—ROAD to Housing Act.

(10) Division J—Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

(b) Table of contents.—The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

In this Act, the term “congressional defense committees” has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code.

The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purposes of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled “Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation” for this Act, jointly submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairmen of the House and Senate Budget Committees, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage in the House acting first on the conference report or amendment between the Houses.

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2026 for procurement for the Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps, the Air Force and the Space Force, and Defense-wide activities, as specified in the funding table in section 4101.

Section 112(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (10 U.S.C. 7013 note; Public Law 118–31) is amended by inserting “2027,” after “fiscal years 2025,”.

(a) Procurement authority.—Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the Secretary of the Navy may enter into one or more contracts for the procurement of not more than five Columbia-class submarines.

(b) Condition for out-year contract payments.—A contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2026 is subject to the availability of appropriations or funds for that purpose for such later fiscal year.

(c) Limitation on termination liability.—A contract for the construction of Columbia-class submarines entered into under subsection (a) shall include a clause that limits the liability of the United States to the contractor for any termination of the contract. The maximum liability of the United States under the clause shall be limited to the total amount of funding obligated to the contract at the time of termination.

(a) Contract authority.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—During fiscal years 2026 and 2027, the Secretary of the Navy may enter into one or more contracts for the procurement of not more than 15 Medium Landing Ships.

(2) PROCUREMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXISTING CONTRACTS.—The ships authorized to be procured under paragraph (1) may be procured as additions to existing contracts covering the Medium Landing Ship program.

(b) Certification required.—A contract may not be entered into under subsection (a) unless the Secretary of the Navy certifies to the congressional defense committees, in writing, not later than 30 days before entry into the contract, each of the following, which shall be prepared by the milestone decision authority (as defined in section 4251(e) of title 10, United States Code) for the Medium Landing Ship program:

(1) The use of such a contract is consistent with the Department of the Navy’s projected force structure requirements for such ships.

(2) The use of such a contract will result in significant savings compared to the total anticipated costs of carrying out the program through annual contracts.

(3) There is a reasonable expectation that throughout the contemplated contract period the Secretary of the Navy will request funding for the contract at the level required to avoid contract cancellation.

(4) There is a stable design for the property to be acquired and the technical risks associated with such property are not excessive.

(5) The estimates of the cost of the contract and the anticipated cost avoidance through the use of the contract are realistic.

(6) During the fiscal year in which the contract is to be awarded—

(A) sufficient funds will be available to perform the contract in such fiscal year; and

(B) the future-years defense program submitted to Congress under section 221 of title 10, United States Code, for such fiscal year will include the funding required to execute the program without cancellation.

(c) Authority for advance procurement.—The Secretary of the Navy may enter into one or more contracts for advance procurement associated with the ships for which authorization to enter into a contract is provided under subsection (a), and for systems and subsystems associated with such ships in economic order quantities when cost savings are achievable.

(d) Condition for out-year contract payments.—A contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract for a fiscal year is subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose for such fiscal year.

(a) In general.—Section 130 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 132 Stat. 1665), as most recently amended by section 123 of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118–159), is further amended—

(1) in the section heading, by inserting “; recapitalization” after “barriers”;

(2) in subsection (a)—

(A) by striking “subsections (b) and (c)” and inserting “subsection (b)”; and

(B) by striking “through 2025” and inserting “through 2026”;

(3) by striking subsection (b);

(4) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (b) and (c), respectively;

(5) in subsection (c), as so redesignated, by striking “subsection (c)(2)” and inserting “subsection (b)(2)”; and

(6) by adding at the end the following new subsection (d):

“(d) Recapitalization.—

“(1) PLAN SUBMISSION.—

“(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than April 1, 2026, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a recapitalization plan to replace legacy waterborne security barriers for Navy ports.

“(B) ELEMENTS.—The plan required by subparagraph (A) shall include the following:

“(i) A Navy requirements document that specifies key performance parameters and key system attributes for new waterborne security barriers for Navy ports.

“(ii) A certification that the level of capability specified under clause (i) will exceed that of legacy waterborne security barriers for Navy ports.

“(iii) The acquisition strategy for the recapitalization of waterborne security barriers for Navy ports, which shall meet or exceed the requirements specified under clause (i).

“(iv) A certification that any contract for new waterborne security barriers for a Navy port will be awarded in accordance with the requirements for full and open competition set forth in sections 3201 through 3205 of title 10, United States Code.

“(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of the Navy shall implement the plan required by paragraph (1) by not later than September 30, 2027.”.

(b) Clerical amendments.—The table of contents in section 2(b) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, and at the beginning of title I of division A of such Act, are each amended by striking the item relating to section 130 and inserting the following new item:

(a) Repeal.—Section 122 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283; 134 Stat. 3425) is repealed.

(b) Requirement.—The Secretary of the Navy may not award a detail design or construction contract or other agreement, or obligate funds from a procurement account, for a covered program unless such contract or other agreement includes a requirement for an operational demonstration of not less than 720 continuous hours without preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, emergent repair, or any other form of repair or maintenance, on any of the following:

(1) The main propulsion system, including the fuel and lube oil systems.

(2) The electrical generation and distribution system.

(c) Certification.—The Secretary of the Navy may not accept delivery of articles constructed under a contract or other agreement for a covered program until the Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees that the operational demonstration described in subsection (b) has been successfully completed.

(d) Limitation.—The Secretary of the Navy may not make contract financing payments for a contract or other agreement entered into for a covered program greater than 90 percent for small businesses and 80 percent for all other businesses until the certification described in subsection (c) is submitted.

(e) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) COVERED PROGRAM.—The term “covered program” means a program for—

(A) medium unmanned surface vessels; or

(B) large unmanned surface vessels.

(2) OPERATIONAL DEMONSTRATION.—The term “operational demonstration” means a land-based or sea-based test of the systems concerned in vessel-representative form, fit, and function.

(a) Limitation.—None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for the Navy may be obligated or expended for the scope of work, including priced or unpriced options, for the construction, advance procurement, or long-lead material of any ships in the TAGOS surveillance towed-array sensor system ship program unless the Secretary of the Navy submits the report described in subsection (b) to the Committee on Armed Service of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(b) Report.—The Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the Committee on Armed Service of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report on the following:

(1) Progress made on basic and functional design completion for TAGOS surveillance towed-array sensor system ships and how compliance with section 8669c of title 10, United States Code, will be maintained.

(2) The accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of the Navy’s provisioning of contract baseline design, general arrangement drawings, and other government-furnished information to the prime contractor for such ships.

(3) The ability of the functional design of such ships to meet program requirements, including speed requirements.

(4) The adherence of the Navy to performance-based requirements and the ability of the prime contractor for such ships to make design choices to meet those requirements, commensurate with its responsibility for cost and schedule in the contract structure.

(5) Alternative solutions to meeting the general set of Navy requirements for anti-submarine warfare covered by such ships, including unmanned solutions.

(a) Plan required.—The Secretary of the Navy shall submit with the defense budget materials for fiscal year 2027 (as submitted to Congress in support of the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code) a 30-year shipbuilding plan that meets the requirement under section 8062(b) of title 10, United States Code, to maintain 31 amphibious warfare ships.

(b) Certification required.—The Secretary of Defense shall submit with the defense budget materials for fiscal year 2027 (as submitted to Congress in support of the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code) a certification as to whether such materials support the requirement under section 8062(b) of title 10, United States Code, to maintain 31 amphibious warfare ships.

(c) Limitation.—

(1) PLAN.—If the Secretary of the Navy does not submit the 30-year shipbuilding plan described in subsection (a) as required by such subsection, not more than 75 percent of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for Administration and Service-Wide Activities, Operation and Maintenance, Navy, may be obligated or expended until the date on which the Secretary of the Navy submits to the congressional defense committees such plan.

(2) CERTIFICATION.—If the Secretary of Defense does not submit the certification described in subsection (a) as required by such subsection, or certifies that the materials described in such subsection do not support the requirement described in such subsection, not more than 75 percent of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for Office of the Secretary of Defense, Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide, may be obligated or expended until the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits to the congressional defense committees defense budget materials that support the requirement under section 8062(b) of title 10, United States Code, to maintain 31 amphibious warfare ships.

(d) Amphibious warfare ship defined.—In this section, the term “amphibious warfare ship” has the meaning given that term in section 8062(h) of title 10, United States Code.

Section 8062(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by inserting “(1)” before “The naval”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘temporarily unavailable’ with respect to an amphibious warfare ship means that the ship has not surpassed its planned availability by a margin of—

“(A) greater than 100 percent of the nominal duration of that availability in 2026 or 2027;

“(B) greater than 75 percent of the nominal duration of that availability in 2028 or 2029;

“(C) greater than 50 percent of the nominal duration of that availability in 2030 or 2031; and

“(D) greater than 25 percent of the nominal duration of that availability in 2032 or any year thereafter.”.

(a) Submittal of matrices.—Concurrent with the President’s annual budget request submitted to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, for fiscal year 2027, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees and the Comptroller General of the United States—

(1) the matrices described in subsection (b) relating to the B–21 bomber aircraft program; and

(2) the estimate, as of the date of such submission, for the program's average procurement unit cost, acquisition unit cost, and life-cycle costs.

(b) Matrices described.—The matrices described in this subsection are the following:

(1) PROGRAM GOALS AND EXECUTION.—A matrix that identifies, in six-month increments, plans for and progress in achieving key milestones and events, and specific performance metric goals and actuals for the development, production, and sustainment of the B–21 bomber aircraft program, which shall be subdivided, at a minimum, according to the following:

(A) Technology readiness levels of major components, and associated risks and key demonstration events through maturity (technology readiness level 7) for baseline and modernization efforts.

(B) Engine design maturity, and plans and progress of engine test events.

(C) Software development progress and related metrics, including—

(i) percent of capabilities complete and system features complete; and

(ii) software quality metrics.

(D) Manufacturing progress and related metrics for the prime contractor and key suppliers, including—

(i) manufacturing readiness levels through level 8;

(ii) touch labor hours; and

(iii) scrap, rework, and repair.

(E) System verification and key ground and flight test events for developmental and operational testing, including—

(i) percent complete;

(ii) time on condition;

(iii) sorties; and

(iv) test points.

(F) Aircraft reliability, availability, and maintainability metrics, including—

(i) mean time to repair;

(ii) operational availability;

(iii) mission capable; and

(iv) cost per flying hour.

(G) Operations and sustainment plans and progress, including—

(i) main operating base setup;

(ii) training system deliveries;

(iii) depot maintenance; and

(iv) technology data packages.

(2) COST.—A matrix expressing, in six-month increments, the total cost for the Air Force service cost position for the engineering and manufacturing development phase and production lots of the B–21 bomber aircraft, and a matrix expressing the total cost for the prime contractor’s estimate for such phase and production lots, each of which shall be phased over the entire engineering and manufacturing development period and subdivided according to the costs of the following:

(A) Air vehicle.

(B) Propulsion.

(C) Mission systems.

(D) Vehicle subsystems.

(E) Air vehicle software.

(F) Systems engineering.

(G) Program management.

(H) System test and evaluation.

(I) Support and training systems.

(J) Contract fee.

(K) Engineering changes.

(L) Direct mission support, including congressional general reductions.

(M) Government testing.

(c) Semiannual update of matrices.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary of the Air Force submits the matrices required by subsection (a), concurrent with the submittal of each annual budget request to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, thereafter, and not later than 180 days after each such submittal, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees and the Comptroller General updates to the matrices described in subsection (b).

(2) ELEMENTS.—Each update submitted under paragraph (1) shall detail progress made toward the goals identified in the matrix described in subsection (b)(1) and provide updated cost estimates.

(d) Assessment by Comptroller General of the United States.—Not less frequently than annually, the Comptroller General shall—

(1) review the sufficiency of each matrix received under this section; and

(2) submit to the congressional defense committees an assessment of such matrix, including by identifying cost, schedule, or performance trends.

(e) Repeal.—Section 238 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 130 Stat. 2067) is repealed.

(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a comprehensive roadmap detailing the planned force structure, basing, modernization, and transition strategy for the bomber aircraft fleet of the Air Force through fiscal year 2040.

(b) Elements.—The roadmap required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) A detailed schedule and rationale for the planned divestment of B–1 bomber aircraft, including location-specific retirements, infrastructure disposition, and mitigation of any resulting capability gaps.

(2) A transition plan for the operational fielding of B–21 bomber aircraft, including basing decisions, training and sustainment plans, operational concepts, and anticipated initial operational capability and full operational capability timelines.

(3) A strategy for integrating units of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve into B–21 bomber aircraft operations, including planned force structure, association, training, and mobilization models.

(4) An update on—

(A) modernization efforts for B–52 bomber aircraft, including engine replacement, radar upgrades, and digital integration efforts; and

(B) the expected service life and mission profile of B–52 bomber aircraft through the 2050s.

(5) A detailed timeline with key milestones for each of the elements described in paragraphs (1) through (4), including programmatic decision points, resourcing requirements, risk assessments, and coordination with other components of the Air Force Global Strike Command and the Air Combat Command.

(c) Objective.—The roadmap required by subsection (a) shall support a deliberate and balanced transition to a modernized, dual-capable bomber aircraft force that ensures long-range strike capacity, survivability, and deterrence in both nuclear and conventional mission sets, with a minimum of 100 B–21 bomber aircraft as directed by prior Acts of Congress.

(d) Form.—The roadmap required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a comprehensive roadmap detailing the strategic plan for the development, acquisition, modernization, and integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of the Air Force.

(b) Elements.—The roadmap required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) A strategic assessment of current (as of the date on which the roadmap is submitted) and projected intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance requirements for the Air Force across all domains, including air, space, and cyberspace.

(2) An inventory of current (as of the date on which the roadmap is submitted) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms, sensors, and associated data-processing systems, including the mission capabilities, operational status, and expected service life for each.

(3) A plan for the modernization or divestment of legacy airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, with justification for each decision.

(4) A detailed outline of planned investments and capabilities in emerging intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance technologies, including—

(A) artificial intelligence;

(B) machine learning;

(C) space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and

(D) autonomous or remotely piloted platforms.

(5) An assessment of the integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data into command and control networks, including interoperability with joint, interagency, and allied partners.

(6) A risk assessment identifying potential capability gaps, threats, and mitigation strategies.

(7) A description of the roles and responsibilities of the components of the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance effort of the Air Force in implementing the roadmap.

(8) A proposed timeline and milestones for the implementation of the roadmap over the next ten fiscal years.

(c) Form.—The roadmap required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but shall include a classified annex.

Section 1527 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 10 U.S.C. 2223 note) is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):

“(c) Annual reports.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, and not less frequently than once each year thereafter through December 31, 2032, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an annual report on the implementation of the strategy.”.

(a) In general.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop a plan to establish an open mission systems computing environment that is controlled by the Federal Government on the F–35 aircraft of the Department of Defense.

(b) Elements.—The plan required under subsection (a) shall do the following:

(1) Enable the portability of software applications between the F–35 aircraft, the F–22 aircraft, and the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative of the Air Force.

(2) Enable the integration of new open mission system software, or changes to existing open mission system software, with minimal integration work required by the prime contractor of the air vehicle.

(3) Eliminate or minimize aircraft airworthiness impacts due to software changes within the open mission systems computing environment.

(4) Enable the rapid upgrade of onboard processors.

(5) Leverage a Federal Government reference architecture.

(6) Ensure control by the Federal Government over the airworthiness and security processes, as well as ownership by the Federal Government of the open mission system technical documentation and data rights.

(7) Be capable of connection to all relevant aircraft apertures sufficient to meet current and future combat requirements, including cockpit connectivity via ethernet.

(8) Leverage modern commercial software languages and techniques necessary to support reliable, high-throughput, and low-latency use-cases.

(9) Be applicable across all blocks and variants of the F–35 aircraft.

(c) Report.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than July 1, 2026, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes the plan required under subsection (a).

(2) FORM.—The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.

(a) In general.—Section 9062(l)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “September 30, 2029” and inserting “September 30, 2027”; and

(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking “68 F–15E aircraft” and inserting “34 F–15E aircraft”.

(b) Repeal.—Section 150 of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118–159; 138 Stat. 1812) is amended—

(1) by striking subsection (a);

(2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (a) and (b), respectively; and

(3) in the section heading, by striking “Prohibition on retirement of F–15E aircraft and”.

(a) Prohibition.—None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Defense may be obligated or expended to retire, prepare to retire, or otherwise divest A–10 aircraft to an inventory level below 103.

(b) Waiver authority.—The Secretary of the Air Force may waive the prohibition under subsection (a) with respect to a specific unit if—

(1) the Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees a written certification that a detailed recapitalization plan has been developed for the affected unit, including follow on mission assignments, aircraft reallocation, personnel adjustments, and community impact mitigation; and

(2) a period of 30 days has elapsed following the date of such submission.

(c) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) A–10 AIRCRAFT.—The term “A–10 aircraft” means any aircraft of the Air Force designated A–10 Thunderbolt II.

(2) RETIRE.—The term “retire” includes the permanent removal of an aircraft from the operational inventory, reassignment to storage, or placement into backup aircraft inventory or excess status.

Section 9062(m)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “September 30, 2029” and inserting “September 30, 2030”.

(a) Primary mission aircraft inventory.—Notwithstanding any limit on primary mission aircraft inventory established before the date of the enactment of this Act, Secretary of the Air Force shall retain operational KC–135 Stratotankers as primary mission aircraft inventory as such aircraft are replaced by KC–46 aircraft in order to meet air refueling requirements of the Air Force and the United States Transportation Command.

(b) Reassignment.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall reassign KC–135 Stratotankers that are retained as primary mission aircraft inventory and replaced by KC–46 aircraft to Air Refueling Wings that have the capacity to expand their primary mission aircraft inventory fleet of KC–135 Stratotankers.

(2) CRITERIA.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall reassign KC–135 Stratotankers under paragraph (1) based on the ability of an Air Refueling Wing to—

(A) man the additional aircraft; and

(B) support pilot training requirements.

(a) Extension of minimum inventory requirement.—Section 146(a)(3)(B) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 136 Stat. 2455), as most recently amended by section 145(a) of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118–159; 138 Stat. 1810 ), is further amended by striking “2025” and inserting “2028”.

(b) Extension of prohibition on reduction of C–130 aircraft assigned to National Guard.—Section 146(b)(1) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 136 Stat. 2455), as most recently amended by section 145(b) of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118–159; 138 Stat. 1810), is further amended by striking “2025” and inserting “2028”.

(c) Report requirement.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter through fiscal year 2028, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report detailing the following:

(1) The total number and variant types of C–130 aircraft in the inventory of the Air Force.

(2) Any planned retirements, divestments, or reductions to the fleet of such aircraft.

(3) Modernization and recapitalization efforts, including block upgrades and procurement schedules.

(4) Planned basing actions for fielding C–130J aircraft to recapitalize C–130H aircraft.

(a) In general.—The Secretary of Defense shall solicit from industry information on acquiring services of an airplane that—

(1) is, as of June 2025, under development as a civilian aircraft;

(2) would be capable of carrying space launch vehicles and other Department of Defense articles not more than 300 feet long that cannot be or, as of June 2025, are not readily transported in an airplane due to cargo dimensions;

(3) could enter service not later than December 31, 2035;

(4) could provide and supplement large and oversized fixed wing air cargo transportation services to support the readiness and logistical needs of the Department by December 31, 2035, and thereafter; and

(5) could provide to the Department at least 2,000 hours and not more than 7,500 hours of airplane time for at least two and not more than five years beginning when such airplane could enter service.

(b) Report.—Not later than April 1, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the solicitation required by subsection (a).

Subsection (d)(1) of section 133 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117–81; 135 Stat. 1574), as most recently amended by section 146 of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118–159; 138 Stat. 1810), is further amended by striking “September 30, 2026” and inserting “September 30, 2030”.

(a) Prohibition.—None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for the Air Force may be obligated or expended to retire, prepare to retire, or place in storage or in backup aircraft inventory any E–3 aircraft if such actions would reduce the total aircraft inventory for such aircraft below 16.

(b) Exception for plan.—If the Secretary of the Air Force submits to the congressional defense committees a plan for maintaining readiness and ensuring there is no lapse in mission capabilities, the prohibition under subsection (a) shall not apply to actions taken to reduce the total aircraft inventory for E–3 aircraft to below 16, beginning 30 days after the date on which the plan is so submitted.

(c) Exception for E–7 aircraft procurement.—If the Secretary of the Air Force procures enough E–7 Wedgetail aircraft to accomplish the required mission load, the prohibition under subsection (a) shall not apply to actions taken to reduce the total aircraft inventory for E–3 aircraft to below 16 after the date on which such E–7 Wedgetail aircraft are delivered.

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2026 for the use of the Department of Defense for research, development, test, and evaluation, as specified in the funding table in section 4201.

(a) In general.—For fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that all funding opportunities executed in Program Element 0601228D8Z, or successor program element, shall include separate funding solicitations each focused toward—

(1) Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities; and

(2) Minority-Serving Institutions that are not described in paragraph (1).

(b) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term “Historically Black College or University” has the meaning given the term “part B institution” in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).

(2) The term “Minority-Serving Institution” means an eligible institution described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).

(3) The term “Tribal College or University” has the meaning given the term in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).

(a) Making permanent and improving pilot program for the enhancement of the research, development, test, and evaluation centers of the Department of Defense.—Chapter 305 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

Ҥ 4145. Program for the enhancement of the research, development, test, and evaluation centers of the Department of Defense

“(a) In general.—The Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments shall jointly carry out a program to demonstrate methods for the more effective development of technology and management of functions at eligible centers.

“(b) Eligible centers.—For purposes of the program, the eligible centers are—

“(1) the science and technology reinvention laboratories, as designated by section 4121(b) of this title;

“(2) the test and evaluation centers which are activities specified as part of the Major Range and Test Facility Base in Department of Defense Directive 3200.11;

“(3) the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency;

“(4) the Defense Innovation Unit;

“(5) the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO); and

“(6) the Office of Strategic Capital.

“(c) Participation in program.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the head of each eligible center shall submit to the Assistant Secretary concerned a proposal on, and implement, alternative and innovative methods of effective management and operations of eligible centers, rapid project delivery, support, experimentation, prototyping, and partnership with universities and private sector entities—

“(A) to generate greater value and efficiencies in research and development activities;

“(B) to enable more efficient and effective operations of supporting activities, such as—

“(i) facility management, construction, and repair;

“(ii) business operations;

“(iii) personnel management policies and practices; and

“(iv) intramural and public outreach; and

“(C) to enable more rapid deployment of warfighter capabilities.

“(2) IMPLEMENTATION.— (A) The head of an eligible center described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b) shall implement each method proposed under paragraph (1) of this subsection unless such method is disapproved in writing by the Assistant Secretary concerned within 60 days of receiving a proposal from an eligible center.

“(B) The Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Defense Innovation Unit, the Strategic Capabilities Office and the Office of Strategic Capital shall implement each method proposed under paragraph (1) unless such method is disapproved in writing by the Deputy Secretary of Defense within 60 days of receiving a proposal from the Director.

“(C) In this paragraph, the term ‘Assistant Secretary concerned’ means—

“(i) the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, with respect to matters concerning the Air Force;

“(ii) the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, with respect to matters concerning the Army; and

“(iii) the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, with respect to matters concerning the Navy.

“(d) Waiver authority for demonstration and implementation.—The head of an eligible center may waive any regulation, restriction, requirement, guidance, policy, procedure, or departmental instruction that would affect the implementation of a method proposed under subsection (c)(1), unless such implementation would be prohibited by a provision of a Federal statute or common law.”.

(b) Conforming repeal.—Section 233 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 10 U.S.C. 4141 note prec.) is repealed.

Section 232(e) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 10 U.S.C. 4091 note prec.) is amended by striking “September 30, 2025” and inserting “September 30, 2030”.

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act may be obligated or expended for the autonomy baseline manager or the common control system of the Navy unless—

(1) the Secretary of the Navy submits to the congressional defense committees—

(A) the original baseline schedule of key capability deliverables and the current schedule as of the date of submission;

(B) the original cost estimate and the current cost estimate as of the date of submission, including the total funding received for the program;

(C) all reports of test and experimentation events, including a comparison of performance to alternative industry capabilities;

(D) the unaltered assessment of the Defense Innovation Unit on a market assessment of industry capabilities compared to the capabilities of the autonomy baseline manager and the common control system of the Navy; and

(E) an assessment that the program is delivering new capabilities at a pace and quality that meets or exceeds industry capabilities; and

(2) the Chief of Naval Operations validates to the congressional defense committees that the program meets operational user needs of the Navy.

Of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, and available to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering for travel purposes, not more than 80 percent may be obligated or expended until the date on which the Under Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees the report required by section 245(d) of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118–159).

(a) Prohibition.—Beginning on January 1, 2027, a covered institution may not enter into a contract with a covered nation or a foreign entity of concern.

(b) Waivers.—

(1) AUTHORITY.—Subject to the provisions of this subsection and subsection (c), the Secretary of Defense may, or their designee, pursuant to a request submitted under paragraph (2) of this subsection, issue a waiver of the prohibition set forth in subsection (a).

(2) SUBMISSION.—

(A) FIRST WAIVER REQUESTS.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—A covered institution that desires to enter into a contract with a foreign entity of concern or a covered nation may submit to the Secretary of Defense, not later than 120 days before the institution enters into such a contract, a request to waive the prohibition set forth in subsection (a) with respect to such contract.

(ii) CONTENTS OF WAIVER REQUEST.—A waiver request submitted by a covered institution under clause (i) shall include—

(I) the complete and unredacted text of the proposed contract for which the waiver is being requested, and if such original contract is not in English, a translated copy of the text into English (in a manner that complies with subsection (e)); and

(II) a statement that—

(aa) is signed by the President or compliance officer of the institution designated in accordance with subsection (f); and

(bb) includes information that demonstrates that such contract is for the benefit of the institution’s mission and students and will promote the security, stability, and economic vitality of the United States.

(B) RENEWAL WAIVER REQUESTS.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—A covered institution that has entered into a contract pursuant to a waiver issued under this section, the term of which is longer than the 1-year waiver period and the terms and conditions of which remain the same as the proposed contract submitted as part of the request for such waiver, may submit, not later than 120 days before the expiration of such waiver period, a request for a renewal of such waiver for the remainder of the contract term, but not to exceed a 4-year period (which shall include any information requested by the Secretary).

(ii) TERMINATION.—If a covered institution fails to submit a request under clause (i) or is not granted a renewal under such clause, such institution shall terminate such contract on the last day of the original 1-year waiver period.

(3) WAIVER ISSUANCE.—The Secretary of Defense—

(A) not later than 60 days before a covered institution enters into a contract pursuant to a waiver request under paragraph (2)(A), or before a contract described in paragraph (2)(B)(i) is renewed pursuant to a renewal request under such paragraph, shall notify the covered institution—

(i) if the waiver or renewal will be issued by the Secretary; and

(ii) in a case in which the waiver or renewal will be issued, the date on which the 1-year waiver period starts;

(B) may only issue a waiver under this subsection to a covered institution if the Secretary of Defense determines that the contract for which the waiver is being requested will both—

(i) benefit the institution’s mission and students; and

(ii) promote the security, stability, and economic vitality of the United States; and

(C) shall, when making the determination described in subparagraph (B)(ii), base such determination on the following factors:

(i) The reasons for which the foreign entity of concern or covered nation has been so designated, and why those reasons do not apply to the contract for which waiver is being sought.

(ii) The foreign entity of concern or covered nation’s history of involvement with covered institutions.

(iii) The degree to which such a contract could provide access to information or technology which could materially benefit the national security of a covered nation or harm the national security of the United States.

(4) NOTIFICATION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 15 calendar days prior to issuing a waiver under this subsection, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives written notice of the intent of the Secretary to issue such waiver together with a justification for such waiver.

(5) APPLICATION OF WAIVERS.—A waiver issued under this subsection to a covered institution with respect to a contract shall only—

(A) waive the prohibition under subsection (a) for a 1-year period, or for the remainder of the term of the contract, but not to exceed 4 years; and

(B) apply to the terms and conditions of the proposed contract submitted as part of the request for such waiver.

(c) Contracts prior to date of enactment.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a covered institution that entered into contract with a covered nation or foreign entity of concern prior to January 1, 2027, and which contract remains in effect on such date, the Secretary shall notify the congressional defense committees within 90 days of enactment of this Act.

(2) RENEWAL.—A covered institution that has entered into a contract described in paragraph (1), the term of which is longer than the waiver period described in subparagraph (B) of such paragraph and the terms and conditions of which remain the same as the contract submitted as part of the request required under subparagraph (A) of such paragraph, may submit a request for renewal of the waiver issued under such paragraph in accordance with subsection (c)(2)(B).

(d) Designation during contract term.—In the case of a covered institution that enters into a contract with a foreign source that is not a covered nation or a foreign entity of concern but which, during the term of such contract, is redesignated as a covered nation or foreign entity of concern, such institution shall terminate such contract not later than 120 days after the Secretary notifies the covered institution of such designation or immediately requests a waiver.

(e) Translation requirement.—Any information required to be disclosed under this section with respect to a contract that is not in English shall be translated, for purposes of such disclosure, by a person that is not an affiliated entity or agent of the covered nation or foreign entity of concern involved with such contract.

(f) Compliance officer.—Each covered institution applying for a waiver under subsection (c), shall identify a compliance officer, who shall—

(1) be a current employee or legally authorized agent of such institution; and

(2) be responsible, on behalf of such institution, for personally certifying—

(A) compliance with the prohibition under this section; and

(B) the truth and accuracy of any information contained in such a waiver request.

(g) Annual reports.—Section 1286(f) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232;10 U.S.C. 4001 note) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking “and on the periodic reviews conducted pursuant to subsection (e)” and inserting “, on the periodic reviews conducted pursuant to subsection (e), and the waivers issued under section 216 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026”; and

(2) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(C) With respect to waivers described in paragraph (1), the following:

“(i) The terms and contents of any waivers issued under section 216 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 in the period covered by the report;

“(ii) any trends in—

“(I) the number of waivers issued under such section over time; and

“(II) the types of contracts to which such waivers pertain; and

“(iii) the processes used by the Secretary to verify that covered institutions (as defined in such section) are in compliance with the requirements of such section.”.

(h) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term “contract” means—

(i) any agreement or memorandum of understanding for the acquisition, by purchase, lease, or barter, of property or services by or from a covered nation or foreign entity of concern; or

(ii) any affiliation, agreement, or similar transaction with a covered nation or foreign entity of concern that involves the use or exchange of the name, likeness, time, services, or resources of a covered institution.

(B) The term “contract” does not include—

(i) an agreement solely or primarily for the purposes of conducting a study-abroad program wherein students at covered institutions in the United States travel to a covered nation to study;

(ii) an arms-length agreement for the acquisition by purchase, lease, or barter of property or services for the covered institution from a foreign entity of concern; or

(iii) an agreement pertaining to a pre-existing campus or other satellite facility of a covered institution located in a covered nation or a joint facility of a covered institution and another entity located in a covered nation, unless that facility could provide access to information or technology which could materially benefit the national security of a covered nation or harm the national security of the United States.

(2) The term “covered institution” means an institution of higher education that conducts research funded by the Department of Defense.

(3) The term “covered nation” has the meaning given that term in section 4872(d) of title 10, United States Code.

(4) The term “foreign entity of concern” means any person or entity—

(A) listed on the Department of Commerce's Entity List (Supplement No. 4 to part 744 of the Export Administration Regulations), or successor list;

(B) included in the list of Chinese military companies operating in the United States most recently submitted under section 1260H(b)(1) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 115–283;10 U.S.C. 113 note); or

(C) identified on the list published under section 1286(c)(9)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232;10 U.S.C. 4001 note).

(5) The term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given that term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).

(a) Demonstration required.—The Secretary shall carry out a demonstration of a joint multi-domain kinetic and non-kinetic testing and training environment across military departments by interconnecting existing ranges and training sites in the western States to improve joint multi-domain training and further testing, research, and development.

(b) Use of existing ranges and capabilities.—The demonstration carried out pursuant to subsection (a) shall use existing ranges and range capability, unless capability gaps are identified in the process of planning specific demonstration activities.

(c) Activities.—The demonstration carried out pursuant to subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) Electromagnetic spectrum operations.

(2) Electromagnetic warfare.

(3) Operations that blend kinetic and non-kinetic effects.

(4) Operations in the information environment.

(5) Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2).

(6) Information warfare, including the following:

(A) Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

(B) Offensive and defense cyber operations.

(C) Electromagnetic warfare.

(D) Space operations.

(E) Psychological operations.

(F) Public affairs.

(G) Weather operations.

(d) Timeline for completion of initial demonstration.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall seek to complete an initial demonstration, interconnecting two or more ranges or testing sites of two or more military departments in the western States, subject to availability of appropriations, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(e) Briefing.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide the congressional defense committees a briefing on—

(1) a phased implementation plan and design to connect ranges and testing sites in the western States, including the initial demonstration required by subsection (d);

(2) how the design architecture of the plan is in alignment with recommendations of the 2020 Department of Defense Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy; and

(3) how the design architecture will support high-periodicity training, testing, research, and development.

(f) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT.—The term “information environment” means the aggregate of individuals, organizations, and systems that collect, process, and disseminate, or act on information.

(2) SECRETARY.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Defense.

(g) Termination.—This section shall terminate on September 30, 2028.

Section 228(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 10 U.S.C. 4571 note) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking “the Nevada Test and Training Range, Restricted Area 2508, Warning Area 151/470, Warning Area 386, and the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex” and inserting “military special use airspace including all prohibited areas, restricted areas, warning areas, and military operational areas”;

(2) in paragraph (2), in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking “training, and large-scale exercises.” and inserting “regular training, and large-scale exercises. Under such processes, approval of Link 16 operations shall be presumed and denial of Link 16 operations shall be accompanied with substantiated evidence demonstrating compromise of safety due to electromagnetic interference.”; and

(3) in paragraph (5), by inserting “regular” before “training”.

(a) Program required.—The Secretary of the Army shall carry out a program to support the maturation and expansion of robotic automation capabilities for munitions manufacturing at government-owned, contractor-operated production facilities.

(b) Objectives.—The objectives of the program under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) The design and integration of inherently safe, scalable robotic load, assemble, and pack (LAP) systems for munitions production.

(2) The demonstration of increased throughput and production capacity, while reducing manual handling of energetic materials.

(3) The development of cyber-hardened data infrastructure for secure integration of factory-floor operations with enterprise systems.

(4) Support for workforce upskilling and training in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

(5) The evaluation of applicability across multiple munition types and organic industrial base sites.

(c) Coordination.—In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Army shall coordinate with the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition and other relevant components of the Department of the Army.

(d) Briefing.—Not later than March 1, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall provide the congressional defense committees a briefing on the program carried out under subsection (a). Such briefing shall cover—

(1) the progress made under the program;

(2) lessons learned; and

(3) recommendations for the wider adoption of robotic automation technologies within the defense industrial base.

(a) Establishment.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish one or more dual-use advanced manufacturing hubs that co-locate and share resources among public and private stakeholders from industry, academia, government, nongovernment agencies, and workforce and economic development resources. The hub or hubs should span the full spectrum of advanced manufacturing capabilities and cover the full development timeline between prototyping and fielding.

(b) Requirements.—A hub established under subsection (a) shall—

(1) utilize, to the maximum extent possible, the Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MII) and encourage the MIIs to coordinate efforts in a joint manner;

(2) provide shared advanced manufacturing infrastructure and equipment, such as high-speed metal printers and material testing laboratories;

(3) establish a process to provide advanced manufacturing capability, including on shared classified space as needed;

(4) utilize, to the maximum extent possible, the Defense Logistics Agency’s Joint Additive Manufacturing Model Exchange (JAMMEX) as a central data repository for technical data packages for advanced manufacturing;

(5) build on the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue Manufacturing Initiative and Blue Manufacturing Marketplace to match hardware and software manufacturers in defense technology with advanced manufacturing providers; and

(6) meet annual production benchmarks for defense applications.

(c) Recommendation.—Not later than September 30, 2026, the Under Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a recommendation for the appropriate number of regional hubs to be established under subsection (a) for the Department of Defense to meet its sustainment needs and such requirements, specifications, and capabilities as the regional hubs may require.

(a) Department of Defense Advanced Manufacturing Program.—Not later than December 31, 2027, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall aim to qualify and approve for manufacturing and delivery not fewer than 1,000,000 parts or components of the Department of Defense that use advanced manufacturing techniques, with funding subject to the availability of appropriations or other funds. In doing so, the Secretary shall ensure that expedited processes for adoption of advanced manufacturing products are utilized across the components of the Department of Defense and lifecycle phases for new and existing systems.

(b) Program to additively manufacture certain types of unmanned aerial systems.—Not later than September 30, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program to certify new materials and processes to manufacture 25 to100 percent of the parts of one of each type of the following unmanned aerial system (UAS) categories using advanced or additive manufacturing techniques:

(1) Small unmanned aerial systems used as tactical loitering munitions.

(2) Small unmanned aerial systems used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

(3) Small unmanned aerial systems used for logistics missions.

(c) Program to certify additively manufactured parts for military systems with diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages.—

(1) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—Not later than September 30, 2026, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Secretaries of the military departments, carry out a program to produce replacement parts for military systems with diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages using advanced or additive manufacturing techniques.

(2) TESTED PARTS.—In carrying out the program required by paragraph (1), the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall select not less than five parts for test, evaluation, and certification under the program.

(3) TEST AND EVALUATION.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the program required by paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall use additive manufacturing techniques to manufacture the parts selected pursuant to paragraph (2) and then test and evaluate the manufactured parts.

(B) EVALUATION.—Evaluation under subparagraph (A) shall be based on performance rather than specifications.

(4) SHARING OF RESULTS AND DATA.—In carrying out the program required by paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall share test data across all military departments and establish mechanisms for data reciprocity for test and evaluation results for additively manufactured parts across all military departments.

(5) LIST OF OBSOLETE PARTS.—The Under Secretary shall, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, make a list of all parts for military systems with diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages.

(6) NEW LICENSING AGREEMENTS.—The Under Secretary shall, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, create new licensing agreements with owners of intellectual property for the platforms with parts included in the list required by paragraph (5) that allow additive manufacture of the parts.

(d) Program to additively manufacture metal parts.—

(1) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall carry out a program across all military departments to additively manufacture three commonly used metal parts of each military department, such as titanium, stainless steel, and aluminum.

(2) ASSESSMENT REQUIRED.—Not later than September 30, 2026, the Under Secretary shall—

(A) complete an assessment to determine how to additively manufacture 10 metal parts of each military department, with a preference for parts that require long lead times to manufacture or have sole-source suppliers; and

(B) submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the findings of the Under Secretary with respect to the assessment completed under subparagraph (A).

(e) Program to additively manufacture parts for ground combat systems.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army and the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency—

(1) identify sustainment vulnerabilities in the ground equipment supply chain of the Army, including at the manufacturing arsenals and maintenance depots of the Army that comprise the Organic Industrial Base, where additive manufacturing could be used to repair, upgrade, or modernize ground combat systems;

(2) choose not less than five parts that have long lead times for fabricating the greatest degree of customized specifications or have the most limited quantity in inventory and additively manufacture replacement parts for them;

(3) create a critical parts list identifying parts and components across ground combat systems with long lead times eligible to be additively manufactured; and

(4) develop plans, in coordination with Army Development Command, to integrate additive manufacturing techniques and technologies in the design, production, and sustainment of next-generation combat vehicles and their technologies. The developed technologies should prioritize interoperability across military platforms and integration with other military services.

(a) Leadership changes.—

(1) JOINT DEFENSE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY PANEL.—Section 4842(b)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking “The Chair of” and all that follows through “programs.” and inserting the following: “The Panel shall be co-chaired by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.”.

(2) JOINT ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING WORKING GROUP.—The Joint Additive Manufacturing Working Group shall be co-chaired by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

(3) CONSORTIUM ON ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING FOR DEFENSE CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT.—Section 223 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (10 U.S.C. 4841 note) is amended—

(A) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and

(B) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):

“(c) Co-chairs.—The Consortium shall be co-chaired by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.”.

(b) Advanced manufacturing guidance and manual.—

(1) GUIDANCE, DOD I UPDATE, AND MANUAL REQUIRED.—Not later than September 30, 2026, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall—

(A) develop guidance to incorporate innovations in advanced manufacturing in such a way that the Department of Defense can better and faster deliver capabilities, sustain operations, and protect the warfighter with the latest technology while still ensuring quality, reliability, and compatibility;

(B) update Department of Defense Instruction 5000.93 (relating to use of additive manufacturing in the Department of Defense) dated June 10, 2021, to waive the requirement to maintain records of all additively produced end-items put into operational use where the additively produced part meets or exceeds performance of the traditionally manufactured end-item;

(C) create a manual in accordance with such instruction that gets at the technical standards required to qualify parts, components, or products that use advanced manufacturing technologies and techniques; and

(D) not later than March 1, 2026, provide the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing on plans to update the guidance developed under subparagraph (A) and the updates made under subparagraph (B).

(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall consider the 2016 Department of Defense Additive Manufacturing Roadmap, the 2021 Department of Defense Additive Manufacturing Strategy, the 2022 National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing, and Department of Defense Instruction 5000.93.

(3) ALIGNMENT.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall ensure that the guidance on the use of advanced manufacturing required by paragraph (1)(A)—

(A) aligns with Department of Defense acquisition to prioritize flexibility, interoperability, and domestic sourcing; and

(B) requires the Department to prefer United States manufacturers and equipment and document a justification whenever the Department uses a foreign source; and

(C) requires the Department to partner with and direct funds to the Department’s Manufacturing Innovation Institutes whenever feasible.

(4) ELEMENTS.—

(A) GUIDANCE.—The guidance required by paragraph (1)(A) shall include guidance for all types of advanced manufacturing, including the following:

(i) Additive manufacturing.

(ii) Advanced materials.

(iii) Advanced composite materials.

(iv) Robotics and automation.

(v) Laser, machining, and welding.

(vi) Nanotechnology.

(vii) Network and information technology integration.

(B) MANUAL.— (i) The guidance required by subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) shall utilize expedited qualification and testing procedures established in section 865 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 and result in a manual under subparagraph (C) of such paragraph to establish standardized processes to qualify parts and components produced by advanced manufacturing techniques and technologies based on performance, rather than specifications for testing and evaluation.

(ii) The process described in clause (i) shall include a methodology for standardizing technical production specifications, testing processes, and data reciprocity to share and accept test results of the same additively manufactured parts across all military departments.

(iii) The process described in clause (i) shall include test and evaluation results that facilitate data reciprocity across military departments, removing the need for each military department to independently validate the same parts another military department has already validated.

(iv) The manual shall include steps to allow for streamlined incremental qualification, rather than complete requalification, when the design and manufacturing process incorporates changes.

(v) The process described in clause (i) shall explore the option for third-party, external certification for companies that cannot afford or do not have the in-house expertise to do this on their own but have the technology that the Department needs.

(C) ADVANCED MATERIALS AND ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS RESEARCH.—The guidance required by paragraph (1)(A) and the manual required by paragraph (1)(C)—

(i) shall cover requirements for development, test, and evaluation of the material properties of advanced materials and advanced composite materials used in advanced manufacturing, including metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, and hybrid metals;

(ii) should include how to incorporate integrated computational materials engineering to predict the material properties and the distribution of those properties in additively manufactured parts and scale-up additive manufacturing; and

(iii) shall include a list of recommendations for the types of amounts of critical metals to stockpile for the Department’s use in additive manufacturing, which should be accessible to users of the Defense Logistics Agency’s Joint Additive Manufacturing Model Exchange (JAMMEX).

(D) CYBERSECURITY.— (i) The guidance required by paragraph (1)(A) and the manual required by paragraph (1)(C) shall include cybersecurity standards and guidelines for advanced manufacturing developed in consultation with the Chief Information Officer.

(ii) The guidance and manual should address the unique challenges that advanced manufacturing poses to Department information networks.

(iii) The guidance and manual shall include matters relating to cybersecurity compliance.

(iv) The guidance and manual shall call for periodic security and compliance reviews.

(E) MODELING AND SIMULATION.—The guidance and manual required by paragraph (1)—

(i) shall include software-driven, artificial intelligence-enabled modeling and simulation techniques for design, development, test, and evaluation to the maximum extent possible; and

(ii) should include integrating modeling and simulation at every level, from enterprise to individual operation, including utilizing digital engineering.

(F) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.— (i) The guidance required by paragraph (1)(A) and the manual required by paragraph (1)(C) shall include processes and contracting mechanisms to protect and manage intellectual property.

(ii) The processes and contracting mechanisms described in clause (i) shall be designed to incentivize innovation while allowing the Department to additively manufacture parts and products for military systems at scale and on demand in case of contingency or crisis. This can include new licensing agreements with terms and conditions that allow for innovative intellectual property strategies.

(iii) The guidance and manual shall include considerations to incorporate the Defense Logistics Agency’s Joint Additive Manufacturing Model Exchange (JAMMEX).

(G) QUALITY ASSURANCE.— (i) The guidance required by paragraph (1)(A) and the manual required by paragraph (1)(C) shall include processes, materials, and technologies to ensure continuous quality control throughout the entire manufacturing process and post-production.

(ii) The guidance and manual shall incorporate the process window qualification methodology, which is designed to be machine-agnostic, or independent of specific machine brands or software providers, as well as the following:

(I) Real-time process monitoring leveraging machine sensors and software analytics to detect and instantly mitigate deviations prevents defects and unauthorized parameter changes.

(II) Integration of machine learning algorithms that analyze production data in real-time allows the identification of anomalies indicative of potential quality or security threats, enabling proactive mitigation.

(III) Software-defined quality assurance protocols enforce standardized, repeatable verification processes, greatly improving reliability and simplifying security audits.

(H) PROLIFERATION OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES.—The guidance required by paragraph (1) shall include a plan that includes phasing and funding requirements to proliferate advanced manufacturing technologies and techniques across the entire Department, at the enterprise level to tactical operational units. This guidance shall—

(i) identify end-user access and operational needs for advanced manufacturing and associated resourcing, infrastructure, and basing requirements;

(ii) establish logistics models for production of additively manufactured parts in the continental United States and at forward operating locations;

(iii) improve supply chain risk management; and

(iv) stimulate supply chain agility within the Department.

(I) TRAINING.—The guidance required by paragraph (1)(A) shall include training program requirements, phasing, and sequencing to ensure each warfighter is equipped with the knowledge and skills to use advanced manufacturing techniques and technologies efficiently and safely. The guidance shall—

(i) outline which military occupational specialty career fields to train in advanced manufacturing equipment, techniques, and procedures with each military service and the degree of proficiency and training time required;

(ii) explore partnerships to establish apprenticeships and skilled technician training pipelines to support Department of Defense research and development programs and programs of record; and

(iii) consider creating new initiatives within existing transition assistance programs to create pathways for members of the Armed Forces to receive the training necessary to adapt their military skills to civilian jobs in advanced manufacturing.

(5) MANUAL REQUIRED.—The manual created under paragraph (1)(C) shall be a service-agnostic, vendor-agnostic manual on advanced manufacturing techniques and technologies for the Department of Defense—

(A) to standardize across the military departments the technical parameters for manufacturing parts and products using advanced manufacturing techniques;

(B) to outline the categories and levels of risk associated with such parts and products, including distinguishing between safety-critical and non-safety-critical parts and providing expedited approvals for low-risk parts through standardized material datasets and pre-qualified manufacturing protocols;

(C) to lay out the processes for qualification and certification across categories of such parts and products;

(D) to establish data reciprocity for test and evaluation data across all military departments with respect to qualifying such parts and products;

(E) to utilize the Defense Logistics Agency’s Joint Additive Manufacturing Model Exchange (JAMMEX) as the central data repository for technical data packages for advanced manufacturing; and

(F) to incorporate new proposed qualification approaches proposed by industry consortiums, Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

(6) TIMELINE.—

(A) INITIAL.—The Secretary shall ensure that the guidance required by paragraph (1)(A) goes into effect in fiscal year 2026 by providing guidance with respect to the top three essential metals each military department needs to maintain its operational platforms.

(B) SUBSEQUENT.—The Secretary shall ensure that the guidance required by paragraph (1)(A) goes into effect not later than January 1, 2027, for all essential metals not covered by subparagraph (A).

(7) ADVANCED MANUFACTURING DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term “advanced manufacturing” means a manufacturing process using the following:

(A) Additive manufacturing.

(B) Wire-arc additive manufacturing.

(C) Powder bed fusion manufacturing.

(D) Other manufacturing capabilities similar to those listed in subparagraphs (A) through (C).

(a) Limitation.—Except as provided in subsection (b), none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2026 may be obligated or expended to award a grant or contract to an institution of higher education for the specific purposes of conducting fundamental research in collaboration with a covered entity.

(b) Waiver.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology may waive the limitation under subsection (a), on a case-by-case basis, with respect to an individual grant or contract for an institution of higher education if the Assistant Secretary determines that such a waiver is in the national security interests of the United States.

(2) CONGRESSIONAL NOTICE.—Not later than 30 days after the date on which an award is made by the Department of Defense involving an institution of higher education with respect to which a waiver is made under paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives notice of such waiver.

(c) Report annex.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—On an annual basis, as a classified or controlled unclassified information annex to the annual report required by section 1286(f) of the John S McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. 4001 note), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report annex on the compliance of the Department of Defense and institutions of higher education with the requirements of this section.