Overview
- The NDAA conference text bars using fiscal 2026 funds to terminate the E-7 rapid prototyping contract or to shut down or prepare to shut down a production line.
- It blocks Air Force E-3 AWACS retirements below 16 unless a readiness plan is submitted or enough E-7s are delivered, with the current inventory at 16.
- Lawmakers authorize about $649 million for continued E-7 development and procurement, in addition to roughly $199.7 million already directed for rapid prototyping last month.
- The bill also authorizes four E-2D Hawkeye aircraft and $1.06 billion for ground moving target indicator satellites to support near-term coverage and long-term space-based sensing.
- The House Rules Committee took up the compromise bill Dec. 9 with a floor vote expected Dec. 10, after which the measure still requires Senate passage and the president’s signature.