Air National Guard Squadron Preservation Act of 2025
Air National Guard Squadron Preservation Act of 2025 aims to safeguard the Air National Guard’s fighter capability by ensuring continued production and procurement of advanced capability fighter aircraft and fifth generation fighters until all ANG legacy fighters are fully recapitalized. The bill would amend existing law to require the Air Force to maintain procurement of at least one model of an advanced capability fighter and at least one model of a fifth generation fighter, set benchmarks for replacing legacy ANG fighters, and provide for GAO oversight, annual progress reporting, and a feasibility study on advanced capability fighters. In short, it prioritizes keeping ANG fighter units modernized (including F-16 Block 70/72 and F-15EX or future variants) and subjects the plan to independent review and regular congressional reporting. Potential impact includes accelerated recapitalization of ANG fighter squadrons, greater emphasis on a mix of advanced and fifth generation platforms, and enhanced transparency through GAO assessments and regular progress updates to Congress. The bill also considers the possibility of multiyear procurement arrangements and examines cost considerations related to domestic and potential foreign sales of certain fighter variants.
Key Points
- 1Policy and recapitalization goal: Establish the policy to preserve the Total Fighter Force by fully recapitalizing Air National Guard fighter squadrons and maintaining force structure across ANG fighters.
- 2Inclusion of fifth generation fighters: Adds fifth generation fighter aircraft to the recapitalization and procurement plan, alongside advanced capability fighters.
- 3Procurement requirements and contracts: Requires the Secretary of the Air Force to ensure ongoing production/procurement of at least one advanced capability fighter and at least one fifth generation fighter until ANG units are fully recapitalized; allows entering into or modifying contracts accordingly.
- 4GAO oversight and reporting: Mandates a GAO review of advanced capability fighters with a preliminary briefing within one year and a final report, followed by ongoing progress reports to congressional defense committees every 180 days (then annually).
- 5Feasibility study on advanced capability fighters: Directs a study to assess the need for advanced capability fighters across active and reserve components, consider unmanned capabilities, potential cost savings from foreign sales of certain F-16 variants, identify eligible ANG units for recapitalization, assess mission suitability, and evaluate multiyear contracting; report due within 180 days of enactment.