Airpower Acceleration Act Fast-Tracks F35 and F15EX Procurement, Boosts Air Force Fighter Fleet to 1,800 by 2026

Alright, let's talk fighter jets. The ‘Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026’ is looking to put the pedal to the metal on how the Air Force buys its F35 and F15EX aircraft. Think of it like this: instead of buying a few parts for a car every year, this bill lets the Pentagon sign a long-term deal for the whole production line, which can often save money and streamline the process.

The Long Game for Fighter Jets

This bill hands the Secretary of Defense some new powers to enter into these multiyear contracts for the F35A, F35B, F35C, and F15EX aircraft. What's cool (or concerning, depending on your view) is that these contracts automatically meet some of the usual findings requirements under existing law (Section 3501 of title 10, United States Code). Basically, it cuts some red tape that usually slows things down. They still have to send a report to Congress within 90 days explaining their preliminary findings, but the usual song and dance for getting approval is significantly shortened. This also allows for 'advance procurement,' meaning they can buy critical components in bulk, which often means better prices and a smoother build process. Congress also threw in a note saying that paying suppliers on time is super important for keeping the defense industry strong, which makes sense if you want parts to keep flowing.

Minimums for Maximum Airpower

Beyond just how they buy planes, this bill also sets some new minimums for the Air Force's fighter jet inventory, starting October 1, 2026. We're talking about a requirement to keep at least 1,800 'fighter aircraft' in total from 2026 through 2035. And specifically for combat-coded fighter aircraft (the ones ready to go to war), the numbers are set to hit at least 1,369 by December 31, 2030, and then jump to 1,558 by December 31, 2035. They define 'fighter aircraft' pretty clearly as manned planes with an F or A designation, built for various combat missions, but explicitly excluding those new 'collaborative combat aircraft' (think drones that fly with manned jets). This part of the bill, outlined in Section 3, is all about ensuring the Air Force maintains a certain level of readiness and capability over the next decade.

F15EX Fleet Expansion: Out with the Old

Finally, the bill gives the green light to significantly expand the F15EX fleet. Currently, the Air Force is planning for 129 of these jets, but this legislation (Section 4) allows them to go up to 329. The catch? Any F15EX purchased beyond the initial 129 must be used to replace the Air Force's existing F15E aircraft. So, it's not just adding more planes for the sake of it; it's a direct upgrade, swapping out older models for newer, more capable ones. This is a pretty straightforward move to modernize the fleet without necessarily expanding its overall size beyond the new minimums.