Short title

This Act may be cited as the

BRRRRT Act of 2026

Requirements relating to divestment, preservation, and inventories of A–10 aircraft

(a)

Limitation on divestment of A–10 aircraft

(1)

Limitation

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for any of fiscal years 2027 through 2033 for the Department of Defense may be obligated or expended to retire, divest, or place in storage any A–10 aircraft in a manner that would reduce the total A–10 inventory, including combat-coded, training-coded, test-coded, and backup aircraft, below the level necessary to sustain operational employment, pilot production, operational test, and demonstration requirements through fiscal year 2033. (2)

Minimum inventory requirement and fleet composition

(A)

In general

In fiscal year 2027 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary of the Air Force shall maintain in the inventory of the Air Force the greater of— (i)126 A–10 aircraft; or (ii)such higher number of A–10 aircraft as the Secretary determines appropriate. (B)

Fleet composition

The A–10 aircraft fleet, as described in subparagraph (A), shall consist of not fewer than— (i)four active units operating under a designed operational capability statement and Ready Aircrew Program tasking memorandum in which close air support, forward air controller-airborne, and combat search and rescue support, including the Sandy mission, are primary missions; or (ii)five units drawn from the active duty, Air National Guard, or Air Force Reserve operating under designed operational capability statements and Ready Aircrew Program tasking memorandums in which close air support, forward air controller-airborne, and combat search and rescue support, including the Sandy mission, are primary missions. (3)

Prohibition on presumptive reductions

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2027 or any subsequent fiscal year for the Department of Defense may be obligated or expended to reduce, eliminate, deactivate, or fail to restore unit personnel, pilot training capacity, operational test capacity, depot maintenance capacity, or weapon system sustainment activities for A–10 aircraft in a manner that presumes future congressional authority to divest such aircraft. (4)

Reconstitution of previously reduced capacity

With respect to any instance occurring after October 1, 2025, and before the date of the enactment of this Act, in which the Department of the Air Force reduced, eliminated, deactivated, or transferred depot maintenance capacity, sustainment functions, training functions, or operational test functions for the A–10 fleet in anticipation of divestment or planned retirement of such aircraft, the Secretary of the Air Force shall, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the congressional defense committees a plan to restore or reconstitute sufficient capacity to carry out this section and maintain the operational viability of the A–10 fleet through fiscal year 2033. (b)

Certification of fully capable replacement before further divestment of A–10 aircraft

(1)

Certification required

The Secretary of Defense may waive one or more of the requirements under subsection (a) with respect to a fiscal year only if the Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees that a fully capable replacement for the A–10 aircraft fleet has achieved full operational capability. (2)

Elements

The certification required under subsection (a) shall include the following: (A)A determination that the replacement aircraft or combination of systems— (i)is operationally fielded and available for tasking; (ii)includes the qualified pilots, maintainers, and support personnel necessary to perform the missions currently assigned to the A–10 fleet and to satisfy the requirements of clauses (iv) and (v); (iii)includes the training, sustainment, depot, and infrastructure capacity necessary to support continued operations; (iv) is capable of performing combat search and rescue support, including the Sandy mission and Rescue Mission Commander role, forward air controller-airborne, close air support, personnel recovery support, and armed overwatch at a level necessary to satisfy the documented requirements of supported forces in operational plans, taskings, and the concurrence required under subparagraph (E); and (v)has demonstrated the ability to provide persistent armed overwatch, air-ground integration, and survivability characteristics appropriate to the missions for which the A–10 is currently employed. (B)A detailed crosswalk identifying the specific aircraft, systems, units, or combinations thereof that the Secretary of Defense determines will replace the principal operational effects historically provided by the A–10 fleet. The crosswalk shall address, at a minimum— (i)combat search and rescue support, including the Sandy mission and Rescue Mission Commander role; (ii)forward air controller-airborne functions; (iii)close air support persistence and responsiveness for forces in contact; (iv)armed overwatch and air-ground integration in dynamic land and maritime targeting environments; (v)survivability and mission effectiveness in the operational environments for which the A–10 is currently employed; and (vi)the training, sustainment, and manning structure necessary to generate and employ such replacement capability. (C)A cost-comparison and mission demand analysis that weighs the cost per operational hour and demands on other airframes and personnel to fill the A–10 mission set versus such costs and demands assuming the continued employment of A–10 aircraft. (D)An outline of the steps and timeline for the hand-off of A–10 missions and any plans to create, adapt, and train on those missions and close air support, combat search and rescue, and rescue mission commander functions and doctrines. (E)The written concurrence of— (i)the Secretary of the Army, with respect to whether the replacement aircraft or combination of systems is sufficient to meet the Army’s requirements for the A–10 mission set; (ii)the Secretary of the Navy, acting through the Commandant of the Marine Corps, with respect to whether the replacement aircraft or combination of systems is sufficient to meet the Marine Corps requirements for the A–10 mission set, including tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel requirements; and (iii) the Commander of United States Special Operations Command, with respect to whether the replacement aircraft or combination of systems is sufficient to support special operations requirements for the A–10 mission set. (F)From each official specified in subparagraph (E), a written determination as to whether the replacement aircraft or combination of systems is sufficient to support combat search and rescue support, including the Sandy mission and Rescue Mission Commander role, where applicable to the supported force. (3)

Treatment of replaced missions

For purposes of paragraph (2), a mission may not be treated as replaced merely because it is listed as a secondary, collateral, or additional mission of a platform or unit whose designed operational capability statement or Ready Aircrew Program tasking memorandum is principally oriented toward a primary mission. (4)

Briefing

Not later than 30 days before submitting a certification under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the basis and findings of such certification. (c)

Preservation of certain retired A–10 aircraft for recoverability, contingency use, and potential foreign military transfer

(1)

Preservation requirement

Except as provided in paragraph (6), the Secretary of the Air Force shall preserve each covered A–10 aircraft retired during or after fiscal year 2027 in a condition that enables such aircraft to be reconstituted for operational use, contingency use, training, testing, heritage demonstration, or transfer to an eligible foreign partner. (2)

Minimum preservation standard

The Secretary of the Air Force shall ensure that each covered A–10 aircraft preserved under paragraph (1)— (A)is maintained in a recoverable storage condition; (B)retains all major systems, mission equipment, and structural components necessary to permit return to service, reconstitution for training or operational use, or preparation for transfer to an eligible foreign partner; (C)is not demilitarized, mutilated, or otherwise altered in a manner that would unreasonably impair its recoverability or future transferability; (D)retains, to the maximum extent practicable, records relating to flying hours, service life consumption, structural condition, modifications, maintenance history, and combat or operational use; and (E)remains identifiable by tail number and preservation status in the inventory and storage records of the Department of the Air Force. (3)

Prohibition on cannibalization and parting out

Except as provided in paragraph (6), no covered A–10 aircraft preserved under this subsection may be cannibalized, parted out, or used as a source of spare parts if such aircraft— (A)has received wing replacement or service-life extension modifications; (B)retains projected flying hours exceeding the threshold specified in paragraph (9)(B); or (C)has been identified by the Secretary of the Air Force as a viable candidate for reconstitution, contingency activation, foreign military sale, foreign military financing-supported transfer, or other security cooperation purpose. (4)

Limitation on final induction or irreversible processing pending roadmap

(A)

In general

Until the date on which the Secretary of the Air Force submits to the congressional defense committees a roadmap for the sustainment of the A–10 aircraft fleet and related capabilities, none of the funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for any of fiscal years 2027 through 2033 for the Department of Defense may be obligated or expended— (i)to place any retired or retiring A–10 aircraft into a storage, reclamation, excess, or disposal status at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group in a manner that would materially impair the recoverability, reconstitution, training use, testing use, heritage demonstration use, or potential foreign transfer of such aircraft, including placement into any category of storage or processing that is equivalent in effect to nonrecoverable reclamation, excess disposal, or broad parts-harvest status; or (ii)to take any other covered action with respect to an A–10 aircraft. (B)

Covered actions

For purposes of subparagraph (A), a covered action includes— (i)categorization of an A–10 aircraft in a manner equivalent to parts reclamation or excess disposal status; (ii)downgrading an A–10 aircraft from a recoverable or inviolate storage status; (iii)demilitarization, mutilation, or cannibalization of an A–10 aircraft; (iv)removal of major systems, mission equipment, structural components, or other items in a manner that would materially reduce the future utility of the aircraft; or (v)any other induction, storage, or processing decision that presumes disposal, reclamation, or nonrecoverable status before completion of the roadmap required under subparagraph (A). (C)

Temporary custody and recoverable storage pending roadmap

Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit temporary custody, movement, inspection, preservation, or placement of an A–10 aircraft into a recoverable storage condition pending submission of the roadmap required under subparagraph (A). During the period described in such subparagraph, any A–10 aircraft transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be maintained only in a recoverable storage status and may not be processed into a reclamation or excess disposal status. (D)

Roadmap

The roadmap required under subparagraph (A) shall include, at a minimum, a contingency plan for keeping the total A–10 inventory at the level necessary to sustain operational employment, pilot production, operational test, and demonstration requirements through fiscal year 2037. Such plan shall include— (i)identified decision points; and (ii)an assessment of the cost and reconstitution impacts that would result if the Secretary of the Air Force retroactively decided to reconstitute and sustain the A–10 aircraft mission following its termination. (5)

Priority for Arizona storage and recoverability

To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary of the Air Force shall preserve covered A–10 aircraft required to be retained under this section at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, or at another facility capable of maintaining such aircraft in recoverable storage status. (6)

Exception

The Secretary of the Air Force may waive the requirements of paragraphs (1) through (5) with respect to a specific covered A–10 aircraft only if the Secretary certifies in writing to the congressional defense committees that— (A)the aircraft is no longer airworthy or structurally viable for economical recovery, training use, testing use, heritage use, or foreign transfer; (B)the aircraft is not reasonably required for contingency reserve capacity, training support, operational testing, heritage demonstration, or security cooperation purposes; and (C)disposal or cannibalization of the aircraft will not materially reduce the Department’s ability to reconstitute A–10 capacity, preserve representative aircraft with significant remaining service life, or support a potential foreign military transfer or sale. (7)

Reports

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter through September 30, 2033, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on covered A–10 aircraft. Each report shall include— (A)the number of aircraft retired, stored, preserved, cannibalized, transferred, or disposed of during the preceding year; (B)the number of preserved aircraft that received wing replacement or wing upgrade modifications; (C)the projected remaining flying hours of each preserved aircraft, or by category if necessary for security or administrative reasons; (D)the status of preservation and recoverability actions for each such aircraft; (E) any aircraft assessed as viable candidates for foreign military sale, transfer, training use, operational test use, or contingency activation; (F) any waiver exercised under paragraph (6), including the justification for such waiver; (G)the tail numbers, current location, and current storage or preservation status of all A–10 aircraft that, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, are retired, retiring, transferred to, or pending transfer to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group; (H)identification of which such aircraft have received wing replacement or wing upgrade modifications; (I)identification of which such aircraft are assessed as retaining projected flying hours exceeding the threshold specified in paragraph (9)(B); and (J)identification of which such aircraft are assessed as viable candidates for reconstitution, contingency activation, training use, test use, heritage demonstration, or foreign military sale or transfer. (8)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require the Secretary of the Air Force to return any aircraft to active service or to transfer any aircraft to a foreign country in violation of other applicable provisions of law, export control requirements, end-use monitoring requirements, or national security considerations. (9)

Covered A–10 aircraft defined

In this subsection, the term covered A–10 aircraft means an A–10 aircraft that, as of the date on which the aircraft is proposed for retirement, transfer, or placement into storage— (A)has received wing replacement or wing upgrade modifications intended to extend the service life of the aircraft; (B)retains not fewer than 1,500 projected flying hours of remaining service life, as determined by the Secretary of the Air Force using the most current structural and airworthiness data available; or (C)is assessed by the Secretary of the Air Force, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, as a viable candidate for reconstitution, contingency activation, security cooperation use, foreign military sale, or transfer under the Arms Export Control Act or any other provision of law.

Requirements relating to sustainment of A–10 aircraft and related training

(a)

Limitations on availability of funds

(1)

Limitation on divestment activities

Not more than 85 percent of the funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for any of fiscal year 2027 through 2033 for the Department of Defense for covered divestment activities with respect to the A–10 fleet may be obligated or expended to carry out such an activity until the Secretary of the Air Force submits to the congressional defense committees— (A)the roadmap required under subsection (d); and (B)a certification that such roadmap addresses each requirement under subsection (b). (2)

Limitation on training transition from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for any of fiscal years 2027 through 2033 for the Department of Defense may be obligated or expended to transition covered training functions at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, to another military installation unless the Secretary of the Air Force submits to the congressional defense committees a certification that— (A) continuation of such functions at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is not feasible without carrying out a major military construction project; and (B) the transition of such functions to such other military installation would not materially increase costs, delay operational availability, reduce local access to qualified personnel, degrade training quality, or result in the violation of any requirement under subsection (b). (3)

Limitation on reduction of functions at Nellis Air Force Base

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for any of fiscal years 2027 through 2033 for the Department of Defense may be obligated or expended to reduce, eliminate, deactivate, transfer, or fail to restore the weapons instructor course for A–10 aircraft offered through the United States Air Force Weapons School located at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, or any such successor course, in a manner that presumes future congressional authority to divest the A–10 fleet. (b)

Sustainment requirements

(1)

In general

The Secretary of the Air Force shall maintain sufficient training capacity, development, test, and evaluation capacity, depot-level maintenance and repair capacity, supply, logistics, and contractor capacity, and other sustainment-related capacity to ensure the A–10 fleet remains operationally viable through fiscal year 2033 (in this section, referred to as the covered period), including with respect to each mission and capability of such fleet as of the date of the enactment of this Act (including combat search and rescue missions). (2)

Certain minimum requirements

The capacity required under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum, the following: (A)A requirement that, on an annual basis during the covered period, not fewer than 14 pilots receive the qualifications, or requalifications, necessary for the operation of A–10 aircraft. (B)A requirement that, on an annual basis during the covered period, not fewer than four officers receive advanced instructor qualifications, or requalifications, through the weapons instructor course for A–10 aircraft offered through the United States Air Force Weapons School. (C)A requirement that, for the duration of the covered period, the Secretary maintains a fighter pilot specialty community with respect to the A–10 mission set, including the Air Force Specialty Code 11F3B (or any successor specialty code or designation), in a manner that establishes the A–10 mission set as a primary area of pilot training, operational experience, and career development rather than a secondary or collateral area. (3)

Preservation of functions at Nellis Air Force Base

In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, maintain at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, the weapons instructor course for A–10 aircraft offered through the United States Air Force Weapons School and associated support functions, including access to ramp space, hangars, office space, simulator or mission-planning facilities, ranges, and other relevant infrastructure as necessary to meet the requirement under paragraph (1). (4)

Preservation of functions at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, maintain at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, the core ground-based training system, simulators, and other training infrastructure necessary for pilots to receive qualification or requalification for the operation of A–10 aircraft as necessary to meet the requirement under paragraph (1). (5)

Formal training unit

In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall maintain a formal training unit of the Air Force for providing to pilots the qualifications necessary for the operation of A–10 aircraft, and a process for the requalification of pilots formerly so qualified. (6)

Use of existing or repurposed infrastructure

In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall seek to use existing or repurposed facilities, hangars, ramp space, and other support infrastructure for the purpose of meeting the requirement under paragraph (1) and may not initiate any new military construction project for such purpose unless the Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees that— (A)existing or repurposed facilities are insufficient for such purpose; (B)the proposed military construction project is the minimum cost necessary to meet such requirement; and (C) the proposed military construction project will not materially interfere with the beddown and mission requirements of the 492d Special Operations Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. (7)

Budget materials

Concurrent with the submission to Congress of a budget pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, for each of fiscal years 2028 through 2033, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the amounts necessary to implement this subsection. (c)

Annual report on A–10 sustainment

(1)

Annual report

Not later than March 1, 2027, and annually thereafter until March 1, 2034, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report describing the extent to which the Department of the Air Force met the requirements under subsection (b) during the preceding fiscal year. (2)

Elements

Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum, the following: (A)An identification of the number of pilots that received the qualifications necessary for the operation of A–10 aircraft during the preceding fiscal year, disaggregated by whether such qualifications were an initial qualification or a requalification. (B)An identification of the number of officers that received advanced instructor qualifications through the weapons instructor course for A–10 aircraft offered through the United States Air Force Weapons School, disaggregated by whether such qualifications were an initial qualification or a requalification. (C)A description of the status of actions taken to meet the requirement under subsection (b)(5) during the preceding fiscal year, and any related instructor shortfalls. (D)A description of the status of operational test and evaluation capacity with respect to the A–10 fleet, including major limitations affecting airworthiness, weapons integration, tactics development, or mission effectiveness. (E)A comparative analysis of research, development, test, and evaluation funding and resourcing for the A–10 fleet during the preceding 10 fiscal years, including an identification of— (i)any major test, evaluation, modernization, or capability-integration efforts that were delayed, denied, cancelled, or not pursued; (ii)the stated basis for each such decision; and (iii)an assessment of whether developmental or operational test capacity was materially constrained by underfunding, understaffing, or the rejection of otherwise feasible low-cost or no-additional-cost efforts. (F)The status of programmed depot-level maintenance and repair with respect to A–10 aircraft or related infrastructure, and any resulting effect on the ability of the Department to meet the requirements under subsection (b). (G)The status of logistics, supply, contractor maintenance, and other sustainment functions for the A–10 fleet, and any resulting effect on the ability of the Department to meet the requirements under subsection (b). (H)An assessment as to whether the Department met the requirements under subsection (b) during the preceding fiscal year. (I)A description of any shortfall, delay, or other deviation resulting in a failure to meet any such requirement, including any corrective action planned or underway. (d)

Roadmap for A–10 fleet sustainment

(1)

Roadmap required

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a roadmap setting forth— (A)proposed actions to meet each requirement under subsection (b); and (B)a contingency plan for the sustainment of the A–10 fleet through fiscal year 2037, including an identification of decision points relating to such extended sustainment and an assessment of related costs and reconstitution effects. (2)

Briefing

Not later than 15 days after the date of the submission of the roadmap under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Air Force shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on such roadmap and any anticipated material shortfall in meeting a requirement under subsection (b). (3)

Annual updates

Not later than one year after the date of the submission of the roadmap under paragraph (1), and annually thereafter until September 30, 2033, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a written update to such roadmap. (4)

GAO review

If the Secretary of the Air Force does not submit to the congressional defense committees the roadmap required under paragraph (1) by the deadline specified in such paragraph, the Comptroller General of the United States shall— (A)conduct a review of the compliance with this section by the Department; and (B)not later than 120 days after such review is complete, submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing the results of such review. (e)

Program To preserve knowledge and history relating to A–10 aircraft

(1)

Establishment

The Secretary of the Air Force shall establish a program to preserve technical and historical knowledge relating to the operation and sustainment of the A–10 fleet. (2)

Lead entity

The Director of the Air Force Historical Research Agency shall serve as the lead entity carrying out the program under paragraph (1), in coordination with the Commander of the Air Combat Command, the head of the National Museum of the United States Air Force, and such other organizations of the Department of the Air Force as the Secretary of the Air Force determines appropriate. (3)

Required activities

The program established under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum the following activities: (A) The collection of oral histories relating to the A–10 fleet from pilots, advanced instructor-qualified aircrew, maintainers, joint terminal attack controllers, and other personnel involved in the operation (including operational support for combat search and rescue missions) or sustainment of aircraft within such fleet. (B) The collection and preservation of records associated with the A–10 fleet, including technical data, operational tactics, weapons integration records, upgrade and modification history, and records relating to the sustainment of aircraft within such fleet. (C) The digital archiving of materials collected under subparagraphs (A) and (B) in a searchable repository accessible to appropriate users within the Department of Defense. (D) The identification of lessons learned pursuant to the materials so collected. (E) The development of recommendations for collecting, preserving, and transferring knowledge relating to the A–10 fleet with respect to design, doctrine, training, and sustainment activities relating to successor aircraft. (4)

Report

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing a summary of— (A) the activities carried out under the program established under paragraph (1); (B) the status of the archive established pursuant to paragraph (3)(C); and (C) the principal lessons learned identified pursuant to paragraph (3)(D). (f)

Definitions

In this section: (1)The term covered divestment activity, with respect to the A–10 fleet, means any activity to transition, replace, retire, deactivate, or otherwise reduce such fleet or the capabilities thereof, including with respect to training, personnel, and resources for the sustainment and operation of such fleet, below the levels required under subsection (b). (2)The term covered training functions means functions that comprise the primary source of providing to pilots and other aircrew the training and qualifications necessary for the operation of A–10 aircraft. (3)The term depot-level maintenance and repair has the meaning given such term in section 2460 of title 10, United States Code. (4)The term military construction project and military installation have the meanings given such terms in section 2801 of title 10, United States Code.

Reconstitution of A–10 demonstration team

(a)

Reconstitution required

The Secretary of the Air Force shall reconstitute and operate an A–10 demonstration team to support public outreach, recruiting, heritage, and official commemorative events associated with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. (b)

Purpose

The demonstration team reconstituted and operated under subsection (a) shall— (1)honor the combat legacy and service history of the A–10 Thunderbolt II; (2)promote pride in American airpower and the service of the men and women of the United States Air Force; (3)support appropriate public events, airshows, military ceremonies, and official anniversary observances connected to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States; and (4)preserve and showcase the heritage of the A–10 community and the A–10 mission set. (c)

Team composition

In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall designate such aircraft, aircrew, maintainers, support personnel, and associated equipment as the Secretary determines necessary to establish and operate the demonstration team. (d)

Limitation

Aircraft designated for the demonstration team under this section— (1)shall be drawn from A–10 aircraft otherwise retained in the inventory of the Air Force; and (2)may not be retired, divested, or transferred solely on the basis of designation for demonstration purposes during the period in which the team operates. (e)

Briefing

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the implementation of this section. Such briefing shall include— (1)the number of aircraft to be assigned to the demonstration team; (2)the expected cost and source of funds for such team; (3)the anticipated schedule of appearances and commemorative events; (4)the basing location of the team; (5)any safety, maintenance, and sustainment requirements associated with operation of the team; and (6)an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of rebasing the demonstration team at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. (f)

Termination

The authority to operate a demonstration team under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2033.

Plan for competitive experimentation relating to autonomous and nontraditional capabilities relevant to the A–10 mission set

(a)

Plan required

The Secretary of the Air Force shall develop a plan to carry out competitive experimentation, prototyping, and operational assessment of autonomous, semi-autonomous, artificial intelligence-enabled, and adjunct aircraft capabilities relevant to the A–10 mission set. (b)

Elements

The plan under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1)Appropriate opportunities for participation by nontraditional defense contractors, commercial technology firms, venture-backed defense firms, and other private-sector entities capable of rapidly developing relevant hardware, software, autonomy, sensing, communications, or mission system capabilities. (2)Measures to ensure operational experimentation is conducted in a manner consistent with meaningful human command and control, by a qualified military aviator, over mission-critical functions, including target engagement, weapons release, mission abort, and such other functions as the Secretary of the Air Force determines appropriate. (3)An estimated annual budget for implementing the plan. (4)Consideration of how to make available to a qualified United States entity a limited number of A–10 aircraft, components, or associated support equipment for the sole purpose of research, development, test, and evaluation activities relevant to the A–10 mission set, autonomous or semi-autonomous aircraft integration, mission systems development, digital battlefield communications, or other related capabilities. (c)

Report

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the plan developed under subsection (a). (d)

Qualified United States entity

In this section, the term qualified United States entity means— (1)a nontraditional defense contractor; (2)a traditional defense contractor; (3)a federally funded research and development center; (4)a university-affiliated research center; or (5)another domestic entity the Secretary determines is capable of carrying out the activities described in subsection (a) in a manner consistent with national security and public safety.

Report on A–10 combat legacy, current operational use, and modernization outlook

(a)

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1) The combat record of the A–10 aircraft from Operation Desert Storm through current operations, including recent support to the recovery of downed aircrew in Operation Epic Fury, and the continued relevance of lessons derived from close air support, armed overwatch, air-ground integration, combat search and rescue support, and operations to secure key maritime approaches, including the Strait of Hormuz. (2)It is important to preserve operational knowledge resident in the A–10 enterprise and applying such knowledge to future force design, doctrine, training, capability development, and incremental modernization efforts that may improve the operational return on continued sustainment of the A–10 program. (b)

Report

Not later than January 15, 2027, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Commander, Air Combat Command, and the Commander, U.S. Central Command, shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the combat employment of the A–10 aircraft from Operation Desert Storm through current operations, including how lessons learned from such employment should be preserved and applied to the future of the A–10 mission set, successor force design, doctrine, training, and capability development. The report should include the following: (1)A description of the combat employment of the A–10 aircraft in major operations from Operation Desert Storm through current operations. (2)Lessons learned for close air support, armed overwatch, battlefield communications, weapons integration, pilot training, and air-ground coordination. (3)Lessons learned from the use of the A–10 aircraft in combat search and rescue support, including the Sandy mission, and the relevance of such lessons to future personnel recovery and armed overwatch concepts. (4)An assessment of the extent to which elements of the A–10 mission set, command-and-control methods, and air-ground integration experience may inform future force design. (5)Recommendations for preserving, adapting, or transferring relevant A–10 operational knowledge to future doctrine, training, and capability development. (6)An assessment of whether currently programmed or planned Air Force capabilities are expected to replicate or improve upon the principal operational effects historically provided by the A–10 aircraft as rescue mission commander, close air support, armed overwatch, forward air controller-airborne, and personnel recovery support missions. (7)An assessment of the applicability of A–10 operational lessons to human-machine teaming, autonomous collaborative or adjunct aircraft, artificial intelligence-enabled mission planning and targeting support, digital battlefield communications, distributed air-ground integration, and other emerging capabilities. (8)Recommendations for operational experimentation or testing using A–10 units, preserved A–10 mission infrastructure, or relevant training and sustainment organizations to evaluate emerging capabilities applicable to the A–10 mission set, including opportunities to integrate private-sector and nontraditional defense partners. (9)An assessment of recent and potential incremental modernization options for the A–10 aircraft, including electronic warfare capabilities, decoy or stand-in effects delivery, aerial refueling enhancements, digital communications, sensor integration, precision weapons integration, survivability improvements, open-systems architecture, and human-machine teaming applications, and whether such options could improve the operational return on continued sustainment of the A–10 program. (c)

Form of report

The report required by subsection (b) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

Briefing on feasibility of foreign transfer, security cooperation, and contingency basing options for surplus A–10 aircraft

(a)

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)Surplus A–10 aircraft may retain value for security cooperation, partner burden-sharing, contingency operations, or recoverable storage arrangements. (2)It is possible that such aircraft could be transferred to eligible foreign partners through existing authorities, maintained in recoverable status for future foreign military sales or excess defense articles consideration, or used to support contingency basing or coalition interoperability requirements. (b)

Briefing

Not later than January 15, 2027, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of the Air Force and the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a briefing on the feasibility of transferring surplus A–10 aircraft to eligible foreign partners, or otherwise maintaining such aircraft in recoverable status to support future security cooperation or contingency operations. The briefing shall include the following: (1)An assessment of the feasibility of transfer through foreign military sales, excess defense articles, or other appropriate authorities. (2)An identification of allies or partners that may be suitable candidates to operate, host, or support surplus A–10 aircraft. (3)An assessment of training, maintenance, sustainment, basing, interoperability, and force protection requirements associated with any such transfer or arrangement. (4) An assessment of export-control, technology security, and end-use monitoring considerations.