This bill mandates the Air Force to modernize the Air National Guard's fighter fleet with advanced and fifth-generation aircraft, while ensuring continuous production and procurement until all legacy aircraft are replaced.
John James
Representative
MI-10
The Air National Guard Squadron Preservation Act of 2025 aims to modernize the Air National Guard fighter fleet by integrating fifth-generation fighter aircraft and advanced capability fighter aircraft. It requires the Secretary of the Air Force to maintain production of these aircraft until all legacy fighters in the Air National Guard are replaced and orders a study on the necessity of advanced fighter aircraft in both active and reserve Air Force components. Additionally, the Comptroller General must review fighter aircraft procurement and offer solutions to challenges. The Act mandates regular reports to Congress on the progress of these modernization efforts.
Air National Guard Modernization Bill Mandates New Fighter Jets, Sets Up Procurement Reviews
This bill, the Air National Guard Squadron Preservation Act of 2025, directs the Air Force to upgrade the fighter jets flown by the Air National Guard. It specifically mandates replacing older "legacy" aircraft with newer fifth-generation fighters and what the bill terms "advanced capability fighter aircraft" – defined as Block 70/72 F-16s, F-15EXs, or potentially even newer models. The main objective is ensuring Air National Guard fighter squadrons maintain modern, capable equipment.
Keeping the Fleet Fresh: What's the Plan?
The legislation outlines a clear pathway for this modernization. It formally incorporates fifth-generation fighters into the existing plan laid out in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. Crucially, Section 3 requires the Secretary of the Air Force to sustain the procurement of at least one model of advanced capability fighter and one model of fifth-generation fighter until every legacy fighter in the Air National Guard's inventory is replaced. This involves actively pursuing contracts and potentially keeping production lines open for multiple high-end aircraft types concurrently.
Checks, Balances, and Studies Galore
To ensure accountability, the bill includes oversight measures. The Comptroller General of the United States is tasked under Section 3 with reviewing the procurement process for the "advanced capability" jets, identifying challenges, and recommending solutions within a year. Following this review, the Air Force Secretary must report annually on the progress made in implementing these recommendations. Additionally, the Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Air National Guard, must conduct a separate study within 180 days of the Act's passage. This study will assess the need for advanced fighters across both active duty and reserve components, explore potential cost savings (like those from foreign military sales of F-16s), identify specific Guard units eligible for upgrades, and evaluate if a multiyear contract is the most efficient purchasing strategy.
So, What Does This Mean in the Real World?
For Air National Guard units currently operating older aircraft, this bill could accelerate the arrival of cutting-edge technology, enhancing their mission readiness. Defense contractors specializing in advanced fighter jets stand to benefit from the mandated procurement. However, the requirement to potentially produce and purchase multiple types of sophisticated aircraft raises significant questions about cost for taxpayers. The definition of "advanced capability fighter aircraft" offers flexibility but could also lead to debates about the most cost-effective choices versus potentially more expensive options. While the goal is a modernized and capable Air National Guard, the ultimate price tag and the impact on overall defense spending will depend heavily on the procurement decisions made and the outcomes of the mandated studies.