(1)

To expedite delivery of future long-range assault aircraft operational capability to the warfighter.

(2)

To maintain momentum and learning continuity between test article completion and full production ramp-up.

(3)

To stabilize and retain the specialized workforce and industrial base supporting future assault aircraft, including critical suppliers and production facilities.

(4)

To mitigate cost escalation risks and improve program affordability across the life cycle.

(1)

prioritize program continuity, cost-efficiency, and workforce retention across the supply chain for tiltrotor aircraft;

(2)

ensure that aircraft procured as part of the early production effort described in subsection (a) incorporate lessons learned from test article evaluations;

(3)

maintain flexibility in design to accommodate future upgrades through the modular open systems architecture and digital backbone;

(4)

ensure that the program completes a rigorous developmental test flight campaign prior to delivering the platform to the operational forces; and

(5)

ensure that the program completes a rigorous operational test and evaluation prior to entering into full rate production.

(1)

the implementation plan and timeline for the procurement and early production effort described in subsection (a);

(2)

the status of industrial base readiness and supply chain coordination in support of such early production effort; and

(3)

estimated long-term cost savings and operational benefits expected to be derived from such early production effort.

(A)

how any new programs meet the resiliency requirements specified in section 168 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 133 Stat. 1251); and

(B)

how any new programs will utilize NSA High Assurance certified encryption and decryption.

(1)

The main propulsion system, including the fuel and lube oil systems.

(2)

The electrical generation and distribution system.

(1) Covered program

The term covered program means a program for—

(2) Operational demonstration

The term operational demonstration means a land-based or sea-based test of the systems concerned in vessel-representative form, fit, and function.

(A)

by striking subsections (b) and (c) and inserting subsection (b); and

(B)

by striking through 2025 and inserting through 2026;

(1)

any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract is subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose; and

(2)

the total liability of the Federal Government for termination of any contract entered into shall be limited to the total amount of funding obligated to the contract at time of termination.

(1)

any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract is subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose; and

(2)

the total liability of the Federal Government for termination of any contract entered into shall be limited to the total amount of funding obligated to the contract at time of termination.

(1)

any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract is subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose; and

(2)

the total liability to the Federal Government for termination of the contract shall be limited to the total amount of funding obligated for the contract at the time of termination.

(1)

Propulsion plant equipment.

(2)

Diesel Systems and associated components.

(3)

Castings, forgings, and tank structures.

(4)

Air flasks.

(5)

Payload tubes.

(6)

Major valves and associated components.

(7)

Hatches.

(8)

Steering and dive components.

(9)

Major pumps and motors.

(10)

Snorkel mast and components.

(11)

Torpedo tubes.

(12)

Atmosphere control equipment.

(13)

Bulkheads, decks, and associated equipment.

(14)

SONAR arrays and associated components.

(15)

Electrical components, penetrators, and associated equipment.

(16)

Commodity material in support of manufacturing.

(1) In general

The Secretary of the Navy may enter into one or more contracts for the procurement of not more than 15 Medium Landing Ships.

(2) Procurement in conjunction with existing contracts

The ships authorized to be procured under paragraph (1) may be procured as additions to existing contracts covering the Medium Landing Ship program.

(1)

The use of such a contract is consistent with the Department of the Navy’s projected force structure requirements for such ships.

(2)

The use of such a contract will result in significant savings compared to the total anticipated costs of carrying out the program through annual contracts.

(3)

There is a reasonable expectation that throughout the contemplated contract period the Secretary of the Navy will request funding for the contract at the level required to avoid contract cancellation.

(4)

There is a stable design for the property to be acquired and the technical risks associated with such property are not excessive.

(5)

The estimates of the cost of the contract and the anticipated cost avoidance through the use of the contract are realistic.

(6)

During the fiscal year in which the contract is to be awarded—

(1)

any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract is subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose; and

(2)

the total liability of the Federal Government for termination of the contract shall be limited to the total amount of funding obligated to the contract at the time of termination.

(1) In general

After the award of the lead ship of the Medium Landing Ship program, the Secretary of the Navy shall seek to enter into an agreement with an appropriate vessel construction manager pursuant to which the vessel construction manager shall seek to enter into one or more contracts for the construction of not more than 8 additional landing ships under the program.

(2) Requirements for additional ships

The additional landing ships authorized to be constructed under paragraph (1) shall be nondevelopmental items constructed using a design that is—

(3) Lead ship defined

In this subsection, the term lead ship means the first landing ship procured as a commercial or nondevelopmental item as authorized under section 128(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118–159; 138 Stat. 1807).

(1)

Progress made on basic and functional design completion for TAGOS surveillance towed-array sensor system ships and how compliance with section 8669c of title 10, United States Code, will be maintained.

(2)

The accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of the Navy’s provisioning of contract baseline design, general arrangement drawings, and other government-furnished information to the prime contractor for such ships.

(3)

The ability of the functional design of such ships to meet program requirements, including speed requirements.

(4)

The adherence of the Navy to performance-based requirements and the ability of the prime contractor for such ships to make design choices to meet those requirements, commensurate with its responsibility for cost and schedule in the contract structure.

(5)

Alternative solutions to meeting the general set of Navy requirements for anti-submarine warfare covered by such ships, including unmanned solutions.

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking a total aircraft inventory of air refueling tanker aircraft of not less than 466 aircraft. and inserting

a total aircraft inventory of air refueling tanker aircraft—

(A)

of not less than 466 aircraft during the period ending on September 30, 2026;

(B)

of not less than 478 aircraft during the period beginning on October 1, 2026, and ending on September 30, 2027;

(C)

of not less than 490 aircraft during the period beginning on October 1, 2027, and ending on September 30, 2028; and

(D)

of not less than 502 aircraft beginning on October 1, 2028.; and

(2)

in paragraph (2), by striking below 466 and inserting below the applicable level specified in paragraph (1).

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting paragraphs (2) and (3);

(2)

by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:

(3)

In the case of a KC–135 aircraft that is replaced in the aircraft inventory by a KC–46 aircraft, the Secretary of the Air Force may reassign the KC–135 aircraft to any Air Refueling Wing that has the capacity to expand its aircraft inventory to include such reassigned aircraft. In determining whether an Air Refueling Wing has the capacity to so expand its inventory, the Secretary shall consider, among other things, the capacity of the Air Refueling Wing to man the additional aircraft and support pilot training requirements for the additional aircraft.

(1) In general

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for the Air Force may be obligated or expended to reduce the number of KC–135 aircraft designated as primary mission aircraft inventory within the reserve components of the Air Force.

(2) Primary mission aircraft inventory defined

In this subsection, the term primary mission aircraft inventory has the meaning given that term in section 9062(i)(2)(B) of title 10, United States Code.

(1)

in the section heading, by striking Prohibition on retirement of F–15E aircraft and;

(2)

by striking subsection (a); and

(3)

by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (a) and (b), respectively.

(1)

The total number and variant types of C–130 aircraft in the inventory of the Air Force.

(2)

Any planned retirements, divestments, or reductions to the fleet of such aircraft.

(3)

Modernization and recapitalization efforts, including block upgrades and procurement schedules.

(4)

Planned basing actions for fielding C–130J aircraft to recapitalize C–130H aircraft.

(1) In general

During the period beginning on October 1, 2025 and ending on September 30, 2026, the Secretary of the Air Force may not—

(2) Exception

The prohibition under paragraph (1) shall not apply to individual A–10 aircraft that the Secretary of the Air Force determines, on a case-by-case basis, to be no longer mission capable and uneconomical to repair because of aircraft accidents, mishaps, or excessive material degradation and non-airworthiness status of certain aircraft.

(1)

The number of A–10 Total Aircraft Inventory aircraft disaggregated by Combat Coded Aircraft, Primary Mission Aircraft Inventory, Backup Aircraft Assigned, Attrition Reserve, tail number, and location.

(2)

The planned divestment date of each such aircraft.

(3)

The detailed plan for how and when the Secretary proposes to proceed with divestment of aircraft for each A–10 unit prior to fiscal year 2029.

(4)

The aircraft transition plan for replacing A–10 aircraft with new or existing replacement aircraft in each unit that is divesting of the A–10 aircraft, which shall include an explanation of—

(5)

The information and content format that was provided in the briefing to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives by the Headquarters Air Force, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs (HAF/A8), on February 13, 2023, titled A–10 Divestment Placemats.

(6)

Any other information the Secretary determines relevant.

(1)

the matrices described in subsection (b) relating to the B–21 bomber aircraft program; and

(2)

the estimate, as of the date of such submission, for the program's average procurement unit cost, acquisition unit cost, and life-cycle costs.

(1) Program goals and execution

A matrix that identifies, in six-month increments, plans for and progress in achieving key milestones and events, and specific performance metric goals and actuals for the development, production, and sustainment of the B–21 bomber aircraft program, which shall be subdivided, at a minimum, according to the following:

(2) Cost

A matrix expressing, in six-month increments, the total cost for the Air Force service cost position for the engineering and manufacturing development phase and production lots of the B–21 bomber aircraft, and a matrix expressing the total cost for the prime contractor’s estimate for such phase and production lots, each of which shall be phased over the entire engineering and manufacturing development period and subdivided according to the costs of the following:

(1) In general

Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary of the Air Force submits the matrices required by subsection (a), concurrent with the submittal of each annual budget request to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, thereafter, and not later than 180 days after each such submittal, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees and the Comptroller General updates to the matrices described in subsection (b).

(2) Elements

Each update submitted under paragraph (1) shall detail progress made toward the goals identified in the matrix described in subsection (b)(1) and provide updated cost estimates.

(1)

review the sufficiency of each matrix received under this section; and

(2)

submit to the congressional defense committees an assessment of such matrix, including by identifying cost, schedule, or performance trends.

(1)

A detailed schedule and rationale for the planned divestment of B–1 bomber aircraft, including location-specific retirements, infrastructure disposition, and mitigation of any resulting capability gaps.

(2)

A transition plan for the operational fielding of B–21 bomber aircraft, including basing decisions, training and sustainment plans, operational concepts, and anticipated initial operational capability and full operational capability timelines.

(3)

A strategy for integrating units of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve into B–21 bomber aircraft operations, including planned force structure, association, training, and mobilization models.

(4)

An update on—

(5)

A detailed timeline with key milestones for each of the elements described in paragraphs (1) through (4), including programmatic decision points, resourcing requirements, risk assessments, and coordination with other components of the Air Force Global Strike Command and the Air Combat Command.

(1)

A strategic assessment of current (as of the date on which the roadmap is submitted) and projected intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance requirements for the Air Force across all domains, including air, space, and cyberspace.

(2)

An inventory of current (as of the date on which the roadmap is submitted) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms, sensors, and associated data-processing systems, including the mission capabilities, operational status, and expected service life for each.

(3)

A plan for the modernization or divestment of legacy airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, with individualized justification of the modernization or divestment plan for each such legacy system.

(4)

A detailed outline of planned investments and capabilities in emerging intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance technologies, including—

(5)

An assessment of the integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data into command and control networks, including interoperability with joint, interagency, and allied partners.

(6)

A risk assessment identifying potential capability gaps, threats, and mitigation strategies.

(7)

A description of the roles and responsibilities of the components of the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance effort of the Air Force in implementing the roadmap.

(8)

A proposed timeline and milestones for the implementation of the roadmap over the next ten fiscal years.

(1)

A description of the F–47 aircraft program, including system requirements, employment concepts, and projected costs, schedule, and funding requirements over the period covered by the program objective memorandum process for fiscal years 2028 through 2034.

(2)

The acquisition strategy for the F–47 program of record, including consideration of implementing a middle tier acquisition pathway or major capability acquisition pathway (as such terms are defined in Department of Defense Instruction 5000.85, titled Major Capability Acquisition and issued on August 6, 2020 (or a successor instruction)).

(3)

A proposed fielding strategy for the F–47 aircraft, including—

(1) In general

The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall conduct an analysis of alternatives to identify potential solutions for the recapitalization of the executive airlift aircraft fleets of the Armed Forces. In conducting such analysis, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to identify aircraft solutions that have capabilities comparable to the capabilities of commercial passenger aircraft in terms of range.

(2) Timeline

The Secretary of Defense shall—

(3) Report

Not later than 60 days after completing the analysis of alternatives required under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the results of the analysis.

(1) In general

Section 120(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(2) Timelines

The Secretary of Defense shall—

(A)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking shall not operate and inserting may not operate,;

(B)

by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

(1)

covered LiDAR technology; or; and

(C)

in paragraph (2), by inserting covered before LiDAR technology;

(1)

certifies to the congressional defense committees that the Secretary has developed and is implementing a plan of corrective actions and milestones to resolve all Category 1 deficiencies identified with respect to KC–46 aircraft; and

(2)

submits such plan to such committees, which shall include—

(1)

Enable the portability of software applications between the F–35 aircraft, the F–22 aircraft, and the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative of the Air Force.

(2)

Enable the integration of new open mission system software, or changes to existing open mission system software, with minimal integration work required by the prime contractor of the air vehicle.

(3)

Eliminate or minimize aircraft airworthiness impacts due to software changes within the open mission systems computing environment.

(4)

Enable the rapid upgrade of onboard processors.

(5)

Leverage a Federal Government reference architecture.

(6)

Ensure control by the Federal Government over the airworthiness and security processes, as well as ownership by the Federal Government of the open mission system technical documentation and data rights.

(7)

Be capable of connection to all relevant aircraft apertures sufficient to meet current and future combat requirements, including cockpit connectivity via ethernet.

(8)

Leverage modern commercial software languages and techniques necessary to support reliable, high-throughput, and low-latency use-cases.

(9)

Be applicable across all blocks and variants of the F–35 aircraft.

(1) In general

Not later than July 1, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes the plan required under subsection (a).

(2) Form

The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.

(1)

complete a review of the F–35 aircraft program; and

(2)

submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the review.

(1)

the cost, scope, and schedule of the F–35 aircraft program and its subprograms;

(2)

the status of the efforts of the Department of Defense to modernize the F–35 aircraft; and

(3)

such other matters relating to the F–35 aircraft program as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.

(1)

in paragraph (1) by striking $10,000,000 and inserting $20,000,000;

(2)

in paragraph (2) by striking $1,000,000 and inserting $2,000,000; and

(3)

in paragraph (3) by striking $10,000 and inserting $20,000.

(1)

in subsection (a), by striking A contract of a military department and inserting A covered contract; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following new subsections:

(d)

(1)

In a case in which research, developmental, or test facilities and equipment described in this section are used to support multiple contracts or programs across different military departments, other elements of the Department of Defense, other Federal agencies outside the Department of Defense, or eligible non-Federal entities, a jointly funded project may be established.

(2)

Under a jointly funded project, the Secretary of Defense (or the Secretary’s designee) shall enter into a written agreement with each entity participating in the project. Each such agreement shall, at a minimum, address the following:

(A)

Cost sharing arrangements, including the proportion of total project costs to be borne by each entity.

(B)

Allocation of access to the facilities and equipment, including prioritization procedures in cases of competing demands.

(C)

Management and oversight responsibilities, including the designation of a lead agency.

(D)

Ownership and intellectual property rights related to the facilities, equipment, and any resulting data or inventions.

(E)

Dispute resolution mechanisms.

(3)

A non-Federal entity, including a private company, academic institution, or non-profit organization, may participate in a jointly funded project under this subsection only if the Secretary of Defense determines such participation is in the national security interest and consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

(4)

The Secretary of Defense shall issue regulations to implement this subsection. Such regulations shall include specific criteria for evaluating proposed jointly funded projects, standardized agreement templates, and procedures for ensuring the transparency and accountability of such projects.

(e)

This section applies to contracts funded using funds appropriated or otherwise made available for—

(1)

research, development, test, and evaluation, including science and technology funds designated as budget activity 1 (basic research), budget activity 2 (applied research), and budget activity 3 (advanced technology development) (as those budget activity classifications are set forth in volume 2B, chapter 5 of the Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DOD 7000.14–R)); and

(2)

operation and maintenance, to the extent that such funds are used to support activities authorized under this section.

(f)

In this section, the term covered contract means—

(1)

a contract of a military department; or

(2)

a contract for a jointly funded project as described subsection (d).

(1)

For each covered program, the Secretary of the military department concerned, through its service test activities, shall—

(2)

Each such covered program shall be exempt from—

(1)

provide independent evaluation of test data across all phases of the program lifecycle, including—

(2)

have unrestricted access to all raw test data, data repositories, and analytics maintained by the military departments for the covered program;

(3)

not require of the covered program—

(4)

include in the annual report required under section 139(h) of title 10, United States Code, a summary of the adequacy of data strategies, rates of learning, and risks that aligns with the evaluation processes established in this section.

(1)

A defense acquisition program that the Secretary of Defense designates, on or after the date on which guidance is issued under subsection (d), for use of the alternative test and evaluation pathway under this section.

(2)

A defense acquisition program relating to software and covered hardware initiated on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(1)

command and control and data integration architecture for layered integrated missile defense of the homeland;

(2)

the Joint Fires Network; and

(3)

the Cryptographic Modernization Program.

(1) Program

The Director of the Test Resource Management Center, in coordination with the officials specified in paragraph (4), shall establish and maintain a digital test and evaluation environment for developmental and operational testing of warfighting capabilities.

(2) Requirements

The digital test and evaluation environment required under paragraph (1) shall—

(3) Use of software acquisition pathway

In procuring software and covered hardware (as defined in section 3603 of title 10, United States Code) for the digital test and evaluation environment required under paragraph (1), the Director of the Test Resource Management center shall use a software acquisition pathway described in section 3603 of title 10, United States Code.

(4) Officials specified

The officials specified in this paragraph are—

(1) In general

The Director of the Defense Innovation Unit and the Director of the Test Resource Management Center, in coordination with the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, shall jointly carry out a pilot program to determine how commercial software can be used to accelerate and improve testing efforts—

(2) Reports required

The Director of the Defense Innovation Unit and the Director of the Test Resource Management Center, in coordination with the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, shall—

(3) Termination

The authority to carry out the pilot program under this subsection shall terminate five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(1) In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary of a military department, in coordination with the officials specified in subsection (c), shall complete a comprehensive review of the standards, guidance, and policies relating to digital engineering within the covered Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of that Secretary.

(2) Elements

Each review under paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to the covered Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned, the following:

(1) In general

Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary of a military department completes the review required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop and implement a standard reference architecture to guide the use of, and best practices for, digital engineering for program design, development, and testing within each covered Armed Force under the jurisdiction of that Secretary. Each reference architecture shall include—

(2) Periodic review

Not less frequently than once every three years following implementation of the standard reference architecture required under paragraph (1), but ending on September 30, 2034, each Secretary of a military department shall—

(3) Approval and certification required

Before a reference architecture may be implemented under this subsection, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, shall—

(4) Recommendations for further standardization

Based on the reviews conducted under paragraph (3), the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, shall—

(1)

The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

(2)

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

(3)

The Director of Operational Test and Evaluation.

(1)

The term covered Armed Forces means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force.

(2)

The term reference architecture means an authoritative source of information about a specific subject area that guides and constrains the instantiations of multiple architectures and solutions, as described in the guidance of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense titled Reference Architecture Description, dated June 2010, or any successor to such guidance.

(1)

creates partnerships between operational units of the Army and research universities to provide a platform for university-based researchers and small businesses to collaborate directly with soldiers on innovative applied research and development; and

(2)

integrates soldiers into the problem identification process and early-stage development efforts to ensure technical solutions are meeting soldier needs and enhancing lethality.

(1)

establish activities at select divisions of the Army to accelerate the incorporation of soldier insights into capability development;

(2)

establish policies that streamline collaboration between soldiers, Army Transformation and Training Command, research universities, and small businesses;

(3)

establish a governance board that includes representatives from the research, development, test, and evaluation, acquisition, requirements, and research university communities; and

(4)

promote transition of successful program projects to Army programs.

(1)

Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities; and

(2)

Minority-Serving Institutions that are not described in paragraph (1).

(1)

The term Historically Black College or University has the meaning given the term part B institution in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).

(2)

The term Minority-Serving Institution means an eligible institution described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).

(3)

The term Tribal College or University has the meaning given the term in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).

(1)

is focused on a cross-cutting challenge or foundational science for artificial intelligence systems in the national security and defense sector;

(2)

establishes partnerships among public and private organizations, including, as appropriate, Federal agencies, institutions of higher education, including community colleges, nonprofit research organizations, Federal laboratories, State, local, and Tribal governments, and industry, including the Defense Industrial Base and startup companies;

(3)

has the potential to create an innovation ecosystem, or enhance existing ecosystems, to translate Institute research into applications and products used to enhance national security and defense capabilities;

(4)

supports interdisciplinary research and development across multiple institutions of higher education and organizations; and

(5)

supports workforce development in artificial intelligence related disciplines in the United States.

(1) In general

The Secretary of Defense may award financial assistance to an eligible host institution, or consortia thereof, to establish and support one or more Institutes.

(2) Use of funds

Financial assistance awarded under paragraph (1) may be used by an Institute for—

(3) Duration

Financial assistance under paragraph (1) shall be awarded for a five-year period, and may be renewed for not more than one additional five-year period.

(4) Application for financial assistance

An eligible host institution or consortia thereof seeking financial assistance under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary of Defense an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(5) Competitive, merit review

In awarding financial assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall use a competitive, merit-based review process.

(6) Collaboration

In awarding financial assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense may collaborate with other departments and agencies of the Federal Government with missions that relate to or have the potential to be affected by the national security implications of artificial intelligence systems.

(7) Limitation

No financial assistance authorized in this section shall be awarded to an entity outside of the United States. All recipients of financial assistance under this section, including subgrantees, shall be based in the United States and shall meet such other eligibility criteria as may be established by the Secretary of Defense.

(1)

an institution of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)) in the United States that conducts research sponsored by the Department of Defense; or

(2)

a senior military college (as defined in section 2111a(f) of title 10, United States Code).

(1)

The design and integration of inherently safe, scalable robotic load, assemble, and pack (LAP) systems for munitions production.

(2)

The demonstration of increased throughput and production capacity, while reducing manual handling of energetic materials.

(3)

The development of cyber-hardened data infrastructure for secure integration of factory-floor operations with enterprise systems.

(4)

Support for workforce upskilling and training in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

(5)

The evaluation of applicability across multiple munition types and organic industrial base sites.

(1)

the progress made under the program;

(2)

lessons learned; and

(3)

recommendations for the wider adoption of robotic automation technologies within the defense industrial base.

(1)

the comparative advantages of episodic and permanent special activity airspace designated by the Federal Aviation Administration for use by the Department of Defense suitable for the test and training of long-range and hypersonic systems;

(2)

requirements for continental test ranges, including—

(3)

potential enhancements to existing Federal Government facilities needed to enable use of these facilities by the Department of Defense for testing and research of hypersonic systems.

(1)

The term impact area means the point at which a test terminates.

(2)

The term launch location means the point from which a test is initiated.

(1)

interconnects ranges or training sites in the western States; and

(2)

uses such interconnected ranges and sites as a joint multi-domain kinetic and non-kinetic testing and training environment for the military departments.

(1)

Electromagnetic spectrum operations.

(2)

Electromagnetic warfare.

(3)

Operations that blend kinetic and non-kinetic effects.

(4)

Joint All Domain Command and Control (commonly known as JADC2).

(5)

Information warfare, including—

(1)

a phased implementation plan and design for connecting ranges and testing sites in the western States as required under subsection (a), including the initial demonstration required by subsection (d);

(2)

how the design architecture of the plan is in alignment with recommendations of the most recent Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy of the Department of Defense; and

(3)

how the design architecture is expected to support high-periodicity training, testing, research, and development.

(1)

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—

(2)

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall extend monitoring capabilities to the complete fleets of selected platforms and complete initial data collection and analysis from all participating platforms.

(1) In general

Not later than January 1, 2027, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the demonstration conducted pursuant to subsection (a).

(2) Contents

The report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(3) Form of report

The report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.

(1)

effectively mitigate obsolescence risks associated with legacy HUMS systems;

(2)

enhance the operational readiness, availability, and sustainment of Army and Marine Corps rotary-wing and tiltrotor aircraft; and

(3)

deliver advanced predictive analytics capabilities, reducing maintenance burden and lifecycle costs.

(1)

the pilot program results, including effectiveness in addressing obsolescence, improving predictive maintenance, and enhancing readiness and aircraft availability; and

(2)

recommendations regarding broader adoption of evaluated HUMS technologies across the Army and Marine Corps rotary-wing and tiltrotor aircraft fleet.

(1)

working with the extramural research community, including representatives from universities, university associations, independent research institutes, and private foundations, has developed an alternative indirect cost model that has—

(2)

established an implementation plan with adequate transition time to change budgeting and accounting processes for affected institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations.

(1)

establishes a Joint Energetics Transition Office as required under section 148 of title 10, United States Code;

(2)

provides that Office with the staff and other resources necessary to effectively carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c) of such section; and

(3)

submits to the congressional defense committees the reports required under subsections (b) and (c) of section 241 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 208).

(1)

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

(2)

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

(1)

An explanation of whether Army personnel, including contractors, would be required to relocate to a new location and if so an estimate of how many personnel would relocate and to what locations.

(2)

An explanation of whether the Army expects to build new facilities and infrastructure at new locations to accomplish the research, development, test, and evaluation functions of Joint conventional armaments and ammunition and, if so, identification of—

(3)

A detailed estimate of the costs of relocating personnel and equipment and constructing new facilities and infrastructure.

(4)

A detailed explanation of the efficiencies, if any, that the Army expects to realize by realigning the research, development, test, and evaluation functions of Joint conventional armaments and ammunition.

(A)

the original baseline schedule of key capability deliverables and the current schedule as of the date of submission;

(B)

the original cost estimate and the current cost estimate as of the date of submission, including the total funding received for the program;

(C)

all reports of test and experimentation events, including a comparison of performance to alternative industry capabilities;

(D)

the unaltered assessment of the Defense Innovation Unit on a market assessment of industry capabilities compared to the capabilities of the autonomy baseline manager and the common control system of the Navy; and

(E)

an assessment that the program is delivering new capabilities at a pace and quality that meets or exceeds industry capabilities; and

(1)

be the senior official for biotechnology issues;

(2)

be the head of the Biotechnology Management Office established under subsection (b); and

(3)

carry out the responsibilities for the office in subsection (c).

(1)

Maintaining and executing the Defense Biotechnology Strategy required by section 246, including development and execution of a long-term research, development, acquisition, and sustainment roadmap.

(2)

Updating policies and guidance within the Department relating to the acquisition, adoption, and transition of biotechnology-based products into Department use.

(3)

Coordinating with activities across the Department, the Federal Government, industry, academia, and international partners relating to biotechnology.

(4)

Proposing options for streamlining the regulatory or acquisition process of the Department.

(5)

Conducting, as may be needed, global competition analyses, net assessment, or forecasting to support decisionmakers on biotechnology advances.

(6)

Supporting the development of public-private partnerships with academia, industry, and other State and local government partners, including through the development or fostering of regionally focused innovation ecosystems.

(7)

Identifying biotechnology workforce and training gaps across the workforce of the Department.

(8)

Such other responsibilities as the Secretary considers appropriate.

(1) In general

An entity seeking an award under the program shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(2) Competitive awards

The Secretary shall make each award under the program to an entity in a competitive manner.

(3) Award criteria

In selecting entities to receive awards under the program, the Secretary shall consider the following criteria:

(4) Use of award funds

A recipient of an award under the program may use funds received under such award for the establishment, upgrading, or retooling of one or more bioindustrial manufacturing facilities to produce critical biomanufactured products, including the development of business or technical plans related to such establishment, upgrading, or retooling.

(1)

The progress of the recipient in establishing, upgrading, or retooling the bioindustrial manufacturing facility with respect to which such recipient received such award.

(2)

The estimated timeline and funding requirements for the recipient to begin biomanufacturing at the bioindustrial manufacturing facility described in paragraph (1).

(3)

The products, including the critical biomanufactured products, that are or will be produced at the bioindustrial manufacturing facility described in paragraph (1).

(4)

The progress of the recipient in entering into an agreement with the Department of Defense or an element thereof to provide critical biomanufactured products that are or will be produced at the bioindustrial manufacturing facility described in paragraph (1) once such bioindustrial manufacturing facility begins biomanufacturing.

(1) Initial report

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the plan of the Secretary for allocating amounts appropriated to the Department of Defense to fund the program.

(2) Annual reports

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the activities under the program, including the following:

(1) In general

Except as provided by paragraph (2), this section shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2) Extension

The Secretary may change the date on which this section terminates to a date that is later than the date on which this section would terminate under paragraph (1) if the President determines that the continuation of the program is necessary to meet national economic and national security needs and transmits that determination, and that later date, to the congressional defense committees.

(1) In general

The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments and the heads of relevant Defense Agencies, may establish and implement a program (referred to in this section as the Program) to develop and scale within the laboratories of the military departments, and transition from the laboratories of the military departments, biotechnology-based technologies and capabilities (including products such as chemicals, materials, and fuels) that are relevant to the mission of the Department of Defense and support the resilience, sustainability, and responsiveness of the defense supply chain.

(2) Activities

Under the Program, the Secretary of Defense may carry out the following activities:

(3) Other considerations

In the event the Secretary of Defense carries out the Program, the Secretary shall—

(1) Submission

Not later than one year after commencing the Program, and biennially thereafter until the Program terminates under subsection (c), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report detailing all activities carried out under the program. Each report shall include, to the extent applicable, the following:

(2) Form

Each report under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the authority to carry out the Program shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2) Extension

The Program may be continued after the termination date specified in paragraph (1) if, before such date, the President—

(1) In general

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement requirements that ensure qualified biological data resources created by research entirely funded by the Department of Defense are collected and stored in a manner that facilitates the use of such qualified biological data resources for advanced computational methods, including artificial intelligence.

(2) Elements

The requirements implemented under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

consult with the Secretaries of the military departments, the heads of the research laboratories of each of the Armed Forces, and relevant individuals and entities in the private sector and academia who have received funding for research from the Department of Defense to ensure that such requirements are not overly burdensome; and

(2)

review and incorporate, to the extent the Secretary determines appropriate, existing Federal frameworks and standards for the use of qualified biological data resources for advanced computational methods.

(1)

How the Department of Defense will develop and expand a network of commercial facilities for the biomanufacture of products that are critical for defense needs.

(2)

Review and update of military specifications in order to better incorporate or substitute current products with biotechnology-based products.

(3)

Updated plans and policies for the Department to enter into advance market commitments and offtake agreements for biotechnology products that have defense applications.

(4)

Review of how the Department could better incorporate military-relevant applications of emerging biotechnology into wargaming exercises, tabletop exercises, or other net assessment analyses.

(5)

The benefits and costs of issuing a research grand challenge, or a series of challenges, that focus on making biotechnology predictably engineerable and how the Department would implement such research grand challenge or series of challenges.

(6)

Development of a biotechnology regulation science and technology program within the Department, including development of digital infrastructure to support simplified regulation and the development of biometrology tools.

(7)

Updated plans and policies for intergovernmental support that the Department could provide in encouraging member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to aggregate demand and pool purchasing power for biotechnology products.

(8)

Review of plans and guidance on how the Department can work to develop, integrate, and disseminate biotechnology research initiatives across member countries of NATO, and how the Department might coordinate with international stakeholders to utilize the combined research capabilities of such member countries to drive a biotechnology development approach.

(9)

Review of the feasibility and advisability of using cloud computing methods to safely store biological data to include considerations related to cybersecurity, biosecurity, and data privacy.

(10)

Development of a training program for all members of the Armed Forces, civilian employees of the Department, and contractors of the Department whose duties include—

(1) Policies and guidelines

The Secretary of Defense shall issue policies and guidelines on the ethical and responsible development and deployment of biotechnology within the Department of Defense.

(2) Consultation

The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the policies and guidelines under paragraph (1) are developed in consultation with—

(3) Public availability

The Secretary of Defense shall make the policies and guidelines under paragraph (1) publicly available.

(1)

Definitions related to the ethical and responsible development and use of biotechnology.

(2)

An assessment of whether, and to what extent, existing statutes, regulations, directives, manuals, or instructions limit the ability of the Department of Defense to provide guidelines for the ethical and responsible development of emerging biotechnology.

(3)

Guidelines encouraging the safe use of biotechnology products under appropriate regulatory and other oversight processes.

(4)

Policies relating to informed consent of members of the Armed Forces participating in the development of biotechnology products that have not received regulatory approval.

(5)

Policies relating to whether, and under which conditions, uses of biotechnology that potentially result in irreversible or heritable characteristics are acceptable.

(6)

Policies relating to the potential effects of biotechnologies on the environment.

(7)

Policies relating to the compliance by and obligations of the Department of Defense with respect to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (commonly referred to as the Biological Weapons Convention).

(8)

Policies relating to human performance enhancement or augmentation.

(9)

Such other matters as the Secretary of Defense determines relevant.

(1) In general

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the policies and guidelines under subsection (a)(1), including the methodologies used to develop the policies and guidelines.

(2) Form

The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.

(3) Public availability

The Secretary of Defense shall make report required under paragraph (1) publicly available, except such publicly available version of the report may not include any classified annex provided under paragraph (2).

(1)

Assessment of all current military specifications and identification of those that may—

(2)

Assessment of current validation and verification processes related to military specifications to determine if modifications to such processes are needed to consider biobased product alternatives.

(3)

Review of existing acquisition policy and practices related to procurement of materials meeting military specifications to determine if any changes to such processes are recommended to accommodate biobased products.

(1)

the funding trends and internal processes that are contributing to the underinvestment in such laboratories and facilities;

(2)

the overall conditions of research, development, test, and evaluation infrastructure of the Department of Defense, including maintenance backlogs and modernization needs;

(3)

how such infrastructure investments are weighed against other military construction requirements;

(4)

the highest priority projects for research, development, test, and evaluation infrastructure, a justification for such priority, and any progress made towards funding any such priorities;

(5)

options for improving the way such infrastructure is funded and managed, including the potential for public-private partnerships and public-public partnerships that could lessen the need for funding under the categories of military construction or operation and maintenance;

(6)

an overview of the current state of the workforce for research, development, test, and evaluation, challenges in attracting and retaining top technical talent for such workforce and options for strengthening such workforce, including hiring authorities and effective recruitment campaigns; and

(7)

limitations of existing policies or statutes that support the sustainment and modernization of research, development, test, and evaluation infrastructure.

(A)

by striking sites; and and inserting sites, including information on the costs associated with investigating and remediating releases of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including—; and

(B)

by adding at the end the following new clauses:

(i)

detailed information regarding the total potential cost to the Department of investigating and remediating such releases at all locations where investigation and remediation is expected to be funded by the Department; and

(ii)

the cost-to-complete analysis required under subsection (d); and and

(A)

by striking paragraph (4);

(B)

by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (9) as paragraphs (4) through (8), respectively;

(C)

by striking paragraph (10); and

(D)

by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (15) as paragraphs (9) through (13), respectively; and

(A)

by striking The amount and inserting (1) The amount;

(B)

by striking additional operational energy and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting operational energy initiatives.; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2)

The Secretary of Defense shall design operational energy initiatives under paragraph (1) to advance the objectives of the Department in the areas of energy resilience and fuel efficiency.

(3)

Operational energy initiatives carried out under paragraph (1) may directly contribute to enhanced mission and combat capabilities, fund operational environment training activities, or establish programs to incentivize demonstrable reductions in energy expenditures within the department, agency, or instrumentality credited with achieving the energy cost savings under subsection (a).;

(A)

by striking October 1, 2023 and inserting October 1, 2026; and

(B)

by striking in excess of one part per billion of and inserting detectable;

(A)

by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;

(B)

by striking may not be used at any military installation on or after the earlier of the following dates and inserting may not be used at the following:

(1)

Any military installation that, as of the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, has transitioned to the use of a fluorine-free fire-fighting agent that meets the military specifications issued pursuant to subsection (a).

(2)

Any other military installation on or after the earlier of the following dates:; and

(C)

in subparagraph (A), as redesignated by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, by striking October 1, 2024 and inserting October 1, 2026;

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(B)

in paragraph (2)(C), by striking Secretary of Defense and inserting Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

(A)

in paragraph (1), by striking does not contain intentionally added perfluoroalkyl substances or polyfluoroalkyl substances and inserting meets the specifications set forth in the most recently published edition of the National Fire Protection Associate 1970 standard, including by not containing any substance on the restricted substances list in excess of the maximum acceptable levels of such substance; and

(B)

in paragraph (2), by striking does not contain intentionally added perfluoroalkyl substances or polyfluoroalkyl substances and inserting meets the specifications set forth in the most recently published edition of the National Fire Protection Associate 1970 standard, including by not containing any substance on the restricted substances list in excess of the maximum acceptable levels of such substance,.

(1)

the household is downgradient from a military installation;

(2)

the household receives water from one or more private drinking water wells where contamination from detections of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid substances resulting solely from activities of the Department of Defense, as determined by the Secretary, carried out at such military installation has, at one point in time, exceeded the maximum contaminant level for such substances established by the Environmental Protection Agency; and

(3)

as of the date of the enactment of this Act, another household located in the same community was eligible for alternative drinking water provided by the Secretary by reason of contamination from detections of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid substances resulting from activities of the Department carried out at the same military installation.

(1)

the household is part of a community, as determined by the Secretary, where all the households in the community that have been affected by contamination from detections of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid substances resulting from activities of the Department have been connected to a municipal drinking water distribution system; or

(2)

the Secretary has otherwise taken action under the Comprehensive, Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) to reduce drinking water exposures, including by meeting the relevant Federal or State drinking water standards for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid substances.

(1)

The term alternative drinking water includes—

(2)

The term Federal drinking water standard means an enforceable Federal standard for drinking water, as described in section 121(d)(2)(A)(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9621(d)(2)(A)(i)).

(3)

The terms maximum contaminant level and public water system have the meanings given those terms in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f).

(4)

The term private drinking water well means a drinking water well that is not a public water system and is not connected to a public water system.

(5)

The term State drinking water standard means an enforceable State standard, in effect in that State, for drinking water, as described in section 121(d)(2)(A)(ii) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9621(d)(2)(A)(ii)).

(1)

In coordination with the commanders of the combatant commands and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, assessing installation and operational nuclear energy needs.

(2)

Consulting with project developers and other experts from the commercial nuclear industry, potential private owners and operators of nuclear reactors to be deployed at military installations, and other persons determined appropriate by the executive agent, to assess the technological capabilities, development status, costs, timelines, risks, and potential need for design evolution of nuclear reactors to meet the needs of the Department of Defense referred to paragraph (1).

(3)

In coordination with the Secretary of Energy, the Secretaries of the military departments, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, assessing the technology readiness, licensability, deployability, operability, and maintainability of nuclear reactors with respect to potential deployment at military installations.

(4)

In coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments, integrating technical and project resources across the Department of Defense for the use of nuclear reactors to meet the needs of the Department of Defense referred to in paragraph (1), including by developing a plan to aggregate the demand for, and the acquisition and deployment of, nuclear reactors across military installations and military departments.

(5)

In coordination with the Secretary of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission—

(6)

Identifying the timelines and resource requirements necessary for the acquisition and operation of nuclear reactors to meet such needs, including—

(7)

Including resource requirements identified pursuant to paragraph (6), and any other resource requirements necessary to carry out this subsection, in applicable planning, programming, budgeting, and execution processes of the Department of Defense, including by preparing, as applicable—

(8)

Providing technical support for programs of the military departments relating to the deployment of nuclear reactors for installation energy resilience.

(1) Submission

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the executive agent specified in subsection (a), shall submit to the congressional defense committees a plan to establish a program of record of the Department of Defense to meet installation and operational nuclear energy needs.

(2) Elements

The plan under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(1)

The term Directive 5101.01 means Department of Defense Directive 5101.01, or any successor directive relating to the responsibilities of an executive agent of the Department of Defense.

(2)

The terms energy resilience and military installation resilience have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.

(3)

The term executive agent has the meaning given the term DoD Executive Agent in Directive 5101.01.

(4)

The term installation and operational nuclear energy means energy that is—

(1)

The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment.

(2)

The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment.

(3)

The Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment.

(4)

The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment.

(5)

The Joint Staff Director for Logistics, J4.

(6)

The Principal Director for Energy Resilience of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

(7)

The Director of the Strategic Capabilities Office.

(8)

The Director of the Defense Innovation Unit.

(9)

The heads of such other components of the Department of Defense, as determined by the Chair.

(1)

To develop and execute a strategy to accelerate the procurement and fielding of commercial advanced nuclear capabilities, in compliance with laws, regulations, and agreements, and consistent with best practices.

(2)

To identify and elevate the critical energy requirements of the combatant commands, United States military installations, and the infrastructure and mission capability needs of the combatant commands and military installations that may be addressed with advanced nuclear reactors.

(3)

To connect the combatant commands and military installations with ongoing and planned efforts.

(4)

To create an accelerated pathway to leverage advanced nuclear technologies to address operational gaps.

(5)

To provide a forum for members of the Working Group to coordinate advanced nuclear demonstration and transition efforts, including by increasing opportunities and venues for government and commercial research and development, testing and evaluation, and procurement activities.

(6)

To advocate for appropriate levels of resourcing within planning, programming, budgeting, and execution processes to advance the development and use of nuclear energy technologies across the Department of Defense.

(7)

To coordinate interagency activities and develop best practices on workforce development, regulatory pathways, licensing frameworks, access to fuel sources, safety and security standards, and decommissioning that currently hinder more rapid fielding of advanced nuclear reactors.

(8)

To establish venues through which to engage commercial companies developing advanced reactors so as to review the technology readiness, timeline, and availability of reactor capabilities for defense applications.

(9)

To inform and complete the briefings and reports required in subsection (f).

(1) In general

Not later than September 30, 2026, and annually thereafter until 2029, the Chair shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the status of advanced nuclear projects, associated funding and requirements, planned program transitions, actions, and milestones of the Working Group, and other matters as determined by the Secretary of Defense and the Working Group during the preceding year.

(2) Contents

Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(3) Appropriate congressional committees

In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—

(1)

acquire and use non-space based commercial weather data to—

(2)

integrate such commercial weather data and related systems into meteorological and decision support frameworks of the Air Force.

(1)

A transition plan for the adoption of such program of record, including projected costs and funding requirements over the period covered by the program objective memorandum process for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

(2)

An acquisition strategy for such program of record, including an outline of potential middle tier of acquisition pathways or major capability acquisition pathways (as such term is defined in Department of Defense Instruction 5000.85, titled Major Capability Acquisition and issued on August 6, 2020 (or successor instruction)).

(3)

A budget justification for inclusion of such program of record in the budget materials submitted by the Secretary of Defense to Congress in support of the President’s annual budget request (submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code) for fiscal year 2027, to secure sustained funding.

(1)

to meet the installation energy needs of the Department of the Navy during the ten-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act; and

(2)

to inform the development of concepts for the use of nuclear power facilities to support increased energy security for Navy and Marine Corps installations.

(1) Selection of installations

In selecting naval installations for the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment shall consider whether an installation—

(2) Selection of reactors

In selecting nuclear reactors for use in the pilot program required under subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary shall consider—

(1)

assess and make recommendations regarding how to make available the facilities of a Navy or Marine Corps program selected for participation in the pilot program;

(2)

ensure that the program includes a plan for refueling and end-of-life waste stream management;

(3)

ensure that any reactor used in the program is resilient to grid interruption; and

(4)

coordinate with the working group established by section 319 and the executive agent established by section 318 with respect to timing, sequencing of projects, and locations and to prevent duplication and conflicts between the pilot program and other pilot programs and nuclear initiatives of the Department of Defense.

(1) Annual report

Not later than 30 days after the date of the initiation of the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes each of the following:

(2) Final report

Upon conclusion of the pilot program, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes, or include in the report required under section 2925 of title 10, United States Code, for the fiscal year during which the pilot program concludes, each of the following:

(1)

criteria that the Department uses to prioritize response actions on military installations and National Guard facilities based on relative risk to human health and the environment, including concentrations of releases of perfluoroalkyl substances or polyfluoroalkyl substances, migration pathways, and proximity to receptors;

(2)

timelines for completing each phase of the cleanup process under CERCLA with respect to such releases for each such military installation or National Guard facility;

(3)

a plan for deploying additional technologies, personnel, or other resources to reduce delays to remediation efforts, including an identification of—

(4)

benchmarks for evaluating the performance of each military department or Defense Agency in reducing the relative risk with respect to response efforts to address releases of perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

(1)

funding that has been obligated or expended address such releases, dissagregated by each military installation or National Guard facility with respect to which efforts are planned or underway;

(2)

the status of response efforts to address such releases under the applicable phase of the cleanup process under CERCLA, including the status of any interim removal actions, at each such site;

(3)

projected and actual timelines for the completion of response actions with respect to such releases at each such site; and

(4)

points of contact for community engagement.

(1)

The terms CERCLA, National Guard facility, removal, and response have the meanings given those terms in section 2700 of title 10, United States Code.

(2)

The term Defense Agency has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code.

(1)

are cost effective; and

(2)

are permitted or otherwise approved by a Federal or State agency that regulates the destruction or disposal of such a substance.

(1)

issue guidance implementing the authority under subsection (a), including by setting forth technologies that the Secretary determines meet the criteria specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of such subsection; and

(2)

periodically review and revise such guidance, taking into account the development of new technologies.

(A)

by striking only;

(B)

by striking firefighting; and

(C)

by striking by reason of a deployment.

(1)

an identification of the office or other organizational element within the Department of Defense to which the Secretary plans to assign the responsibilities specified in such section 2636b;

(2)

details relating to any changes to requirements, authorities, or processes necessary to implement such section 2636b;

(3)

an estimate of the resources required to implement such section 2636b;

(4)

a plan to improve the business systems supporting the office or other organizational element identified pursuant to paragraph (1) with respect to the conduct of the responsibilities specified in such section 2636b;

(5)

a plan to provide the necessary staffing and resourcing for such office or other organizational element with respect to the conduct of such responsibilities; and

(6)

a plan for partnership with commercial service household goods providers.

(1)

includes the use of a technical data requirement or organic or commercially available diagnostic tool, if such a requirement or tool is required and available; and

(2)

is not conducted solely through visual inspection unless—

(1)

The term aviation critical safety item means any part, assembly, installation equipment, launch equipment, recovery equipment, or support equipment for an aircraft or aviation weapon system the failure, malfunction, or absence of which could cause—

(2)

The term corrosion means the deterioration of a material or its properties, including non-metallic materials, due to a reaction of that material with the chemical environment.

(3)

The term diagnostic tool means a non-destructive inspection tool capable of—

(1)

sufficient wartime spares, support equipment, and depot level capabilities are projected to be available for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to—

(2)

each F-35 Joint Strike Fighter contractor has provided to the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary has validated as accurate, all information that is necessary for the Department of Defense to successfully complete the financial reporting and accountability requirements for F-35 property, including—

(3)

spare parts for F-35 aircraft titled to the United States Government under the international system for managing such spare parts commonly referred to as the global spares pool are initially provisioned and catalogued with national stock numbers.

(1)

determines that such waiver is in the national security interests of the United States; and

(2)

provides to the congressional defense committees notice of such determination, which shall include an identification of the concern of the Secretary, a remedial action plan, and a proposed timeline to meet the requirements of such subsection.

(1)

The top scarce supply assets and plans to reach sustainable supply positions by not later than September 30, 2028.

(2)

The readiness condition of afloat and deployment spares packages and efforts available to refresh outdated supplies and spares.

(3)

The fiscal programming, by fiscal year, necessary to reduce deficient parts and depot capabilities to meet the joint strike fighter planning targets by not later than September 30, 2028.

(4)

A plan, by fiscal year, to integrate the spare parts specified in subsection (a)(3) into the working-capital funds of the Department of the Air Force and Department of the Navy, respectively.

(1)

depot-level maintenance, repair, and sustainment considerations, including binational or multinational planning sessions with covered nations on—

(2)

coordination with the Air Force Sustainment Center, including the participation of representatives of—

(1)

A list of candidate systems for co-sustainment with covered nations.

(2)

A list of depot-level repair workload opportunities to undertake with covered nations, including testing equipment or line replaceable units.

(3)

Opportunities to incorporate industry partners from covered nations in depot-level maintenance repair activities, including through public-private partnerships.

(4)

An identification of any potential logistical challenges that could arise with the host country, including with respect to workforce, housing, and location of workload.

(5)

An identification of any potential impediments involving intellectual property or data rights between original equipment manufacturers and the Department of the Air Force or between the Department of the Air Force and named partner countries.

(6)

An identification of any potential impediments related to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and related statutes.

(7)

Any additional recommendations to Congress that would ease the facilitation of depot-level maintenance repair partnerships with covered nations, including changes to existing status of forces agreements.

(8)

An analysis of current maintenance and repair capabilities and gaps in the organic industrial bases of covered nations.

(9)

An assessment of the types of maintenance and repair activities (depot-level, preventative, corrective) that may be most appropriate for partnership with covered nations.

(1)

The Commonwealth of Australia.

(2)

Canada.

(3)

Japan.

(4)

New Zealand.

(5)

The Republic of Korea.

(6)

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

(7)

Any other nation designated a covered nation for the purposes of this section by the Secretary of the Air Force.

(1)

proposed actions to—

(2)

recommendations for any relevant legislative actions.

(1)

Automated weld inspection for robotic weld defect detection.

(2)

Real-time sustainment monitoring for sensor-based health tracking.

(3)

Advanced blast and painting for automated hull coating systems.

(4)

Press connect fittings for no-hot-work pipe repairs.

(5)

Robotic tank inspection for confined space condition assessments.

(6)

Additive manufacturing for on-demand 3D-printed parts.

(7)

Augmented reality support for augmented reality-guided repairs.

(8)

Cold spray repair for metal surface restoration.

(9)

Predictive maintenance algorithms for artificial intelligence-driven failure prediction.

(10)

Automated nondestructive testing for robotic material evaluation.

(11)

Autonomous underwater vehicles for hull inspection submersibles.

(12)

Digital twin technology for virtual ship modeling.

(13)

High-pressure waterjet cleaning for rust and paint removal.

(14)

Modular maintenance platforms for standardized repair setups.

(15)

Smart coatings for self-healing, anti-fouling surfaces.

(16)

Laser ablation for laser-based surface preparation.

(17)

Drone-based inspection for uncrewed structural surveys.

(18)

Electrochemical corrosion mitigation for corrosion prevention systems.

(19)

Smart pigging for internal pipe diagnostics.

(20)

Modular overhaul kits for pre-packaged repair solutions.

(21)

Plasma coating for durable surface protection.

(22)

High-velocity oxygen fuel coating for high-velocity wear protection.

(23)

Portable diagnostics for handheld troubleshooting tools.

(1) In general

The Secretary of the Navy shall establish a process under which non-government entities may submit proposals for the investigation, qualification, approval, integration, and full adoption under subsection (a) of advanced technologies or processes not specified in subsection (b).

(2) Evaluation

The Secretary of the Navy shall evaluate any proposal submitted pursuant to the process established under paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after the date of such submission.

(3) Proposal requirements

A proposal submitted pursuant to the process established under paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of options to improve maintenance efficiency, safety, or cost-effectiveness.

(4) Qualification decision

In evaluating proposals pursuant to the process established under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Navy shall make decisions based on technical merit and the needs of the Navy.

(1) In general

The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall seek to enter into a contract with an appropriate independent third-party reviewer under which such reviewer shall assess any decision of the Secretary of the Navy not to select for qualification of approval an advanced technology or process included in a proposal submitted pursuant to the process established under subsection (c).

(2) Report to Congress

A contract entered into under paragraph (1) shall require the independent third-party reviewer to, not later than 90 days after the date of the decision concerned, submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives an unaltered report that includes—

(1)

The prime contractor shall submit to the Secretary a document summarizing the key terms and conditions of each subcontract relating to capacity, performance, or compliance with the requirements of the subcontract, which shall include the following:

(2)

Each subcontractor shall provide to the prime contractor, upon request, certifications and copies of training completion relating to compliance with the requirements under the subcontract.

(3)

The prime contractor shall submit to the Secretary regular performance reports on each subcontractor, including metrics relating to on-time pickup, on-time delivery, damage claim rates, customer satisfaction, and compliance with the requirements of the subcontract.

(4)

The prime contractor shall submit to the Secretary a subcontractor management plan outlining the processes of the prime contractor for selecting, monitoring, and managing subcontractors, including a description of how the prime contractor ensures subcontractor compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and the requirements of the subcontract.

(5)

The prime contractor shall maintain a comprehensive risk management plan that addresses potential disruptions to the performance of work by subcontractors of the prime contractor, such as financial instability, natural disasters, or labor disputes.

(6)

Not less frequently than on a monthly basis for the duration of the covered contract, the prime contractor shall submit to the Secretary the subcontractor rating system used by the prime contractor, with current scoring results under such system.

(7)

The prime contractor shall submit to the Secretary the subcontractor rates for each move to be performed under the subcontract.

(8)

The prime contractor shall establish clear escalation procedures for addressing subcontractor performance issues, including steps for resolving disputes, implementing corrective actions, and terminating non-performing subcontractors.

(9)

The Federal Government may audit subcontractor records with reasonable notice to the prime contractor.

(10)

The covered contract shall include a fixed-price line item for monthly overhead costs, separate from the rates associated with the costs of individual moves performed under the covered contract.

(11)

The prime contractor shall establish a database that the Secretary may access on a real-time basis to ensure compliance with this section.

(1)

Entering into a single contract pursuant to the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulation if the move to be performed under such contract would involve the use of a shipping lane that accounts for more than one percent of the total volume of permanent change of station moves and entering into a services contract if the move to be performed under such contract would not involve the use of such a lane.

(2)

Tiered incentive awards for higher levels of capacity.

(1)

means a contract with an entity that provides relocation logistics for the household goods of members of the Armed Forces undergoing a permanent change of station (commonly referred to as a single move manager); and

(2)

does not include a contract or other agreement for the relocation of a private vehicle owned or leased by a member of the Armed Forces.

(1) In general

The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the commander of the combatant command or commands overseeing the exercises selected under subsection (a), shall identify for each such exercise a commercially available artificial intelligence product that is specifically designed to address logistics needs of the Department of Defense and meets the critical data security protocols outlined in subsection (c).

(2) Capability of partner

In selecting a commercial product under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense and the commander of the combatant command or commands concerned shall—

(1)

compliance with applicable cybersecurity policies and regulations of the Department; and

(2)

verification of measures to protect classified and sensitive information.

(1)

identification of the specific exercises selected under subsection (a), including an identification of the combatant commanders participating in each such exercise and a point of contact within the combatant command responsible;

(2)

identification of the specific commercial artificial intelligence capabilities integrated into the exercises, including the contractual mean or other agreement used to facilitate the use of such capabilities;

(3)

notional timelines and resource needs for each exercise; and

(4)

metrics to be used to assess the efficacy of such tools used in each exercise.

(1)

An overview of the integration and use of commercial artificial intelligence capabilities during the exercise.

(2)

An assessment of the effect of such technologies on unit readiness and operational success.

(3)

Recommendations for further integration or development of artificial intelligence capabilities in future exercises and operations of the Department of Defense.

(1) In general

Under the pilot program established under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall provide a preference to any procurement action or solicitation for the performance of work submitted by a non-government entity that includes, as part of such procurement action or solicitation, a proposal to enter into a public-private partnership with the Secretary under which the non-government entity will perform the work at covered depots.

(2) Further preference

In evaluating procurement actions and solicitations under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give an additional preference to any such action or solicitation submitted by a non-government entity that proposes to use Department of Defense employees to perform the work at a covered depot under such action or solicitation.

(3) Regulations

Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations for the provision of preferences under this subsection.

(1) In general

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the activities carried out under the pilot program during that year, including a description of any operational challenges identified.

(2) Elements

The report required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(1)

An articulation of the requirement for a Space Force Special Operations Component Command.

(2)

A funding profile, across the future-years defense program submitted under section 221 of title 10, United States Code, for the establishment of a Space Force Special Operations Component Command, including a delineation of funds required under Major Force Program 2 and Major Force Program 11.

(3)

A timeline and conditions for achieving initial and full operational capability for a Space Force Special Operations Component Command.

(4)

An identification of the military, civilian, and contractor personnel required for a Space Force Special Operations Component Command at initial and full operational capability.

(5)

An identification of the facilities requirements for a Space Force Special Operations Component Command at initial and full operational capability.

(6)

An explanation of how and when the Secretary of Defense and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict have documented approval for the establishment of a Space Force Special Operations Component Command.

(7)

An explanation of the administrative and command relationships between a Space Force Special Operations Component Command and the United States Special Operations Command, United States Space Command, and the Space Force.

(8)

Any other matters determined relevant by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict and the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command.

(1)

assess the feasibility and effectiveness of artificial intelligence-driven approaches in improving maintenance regimes for ground vehicles;

(2)

assess the cost savings resulting from the use of artificial intelligence technology for the maintenance of ground vehicles; and

(3)

identify and mitigate potential challenges and risks associated with the integration of artificial intelligence technology for modernized maintenance of ground vehicles, including cybersecurity concerns.

(1)

The term covered Armed Force means the Army, Navy, or Air Force.

(2)

The term Secretary concerned has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United States Code.

(1)

Production of propellant.

(2)

Production of any of 13 precursor chemicals used widely across the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition portfolio that are currently sourced solely from the People’s Republic of China.

(3)

Production of any of the 300 chemicals identified as single point failures by the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition.

(4)

Production of multiple calibers of ammunition.

(5)

Development of methods for dual-use maintenance or production of vehicles and aircraft.

(6)

Use of logistics.

(7)

Production or use of any of the capabilities listed in paragraphs (1) through (6).

(8)

Another capability that the Secretary of the Army certifies to the congressional defense committees is necessary to meet Army munitions and weapons requirements.

(A)

in paragraph (1), by inserting and including OPLANs for operations involving the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, and the Islamic Republic of Iran after (OPLAN); and

(B)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(9)

The estimated aggregate demand from United States allies and partners.;

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(B)

by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and

(C)

in paragraph (2), as so redesignated—

(1)

The number of new task order awards for munitions response projects at sites formerly used by the Department of Defense issued and the total dollar value of such awards.

(2)

The number of optional tasks exercised as part of such projects and the total dollar value of such exercised tasks.

(3)

The number of contract modifications or requests for equitable adjustment issued as part of such projects and the total dollar value of such modifications and adjustments.

(4)

The number of active munitions response projects with contracts for which prior year funds have been returned.

(5)

A list of active munitions response projects placed on hold for longer than one year and, for each such project, a summary of the reason for the hold, including delays related to regulatory agencies, rights-of-entry issues, Federal land manager actions, discrepancies in the number of subsurface anomalies between the statement of work and field conditions, or prioritization based on risk.

(6)

A description of the overall challenges to executing the Military Munitions Response Program.

(1) In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that details the stockpiles of critical munitions required to fight simultaneous conflicts in different theaters of operation.

(2) Elements

The report under paragraph (1) shall include the following elements:

(1) In general

Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits the report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a plan to implement critical munitions requirements to fight simultaneous conflicts in the next budget cycle. Such plan shall include a description of such actions by industry, and arsenals and depots owned by the United States, that the Secretary determines would be necessary to meet such requirements.

(2) Waiver

The Secretary may waive the requirement for the submission of a plan under paragraph (1) if the Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees a report with a justification for the decision not to implement the results of the report required by subsection (a)(2)(a) into the requirements process for the next budget cycle. The report shall include an assessment of the gap between current requirements for critical munitions and those requirements identified in the report required by subsection (a)(2)(a).

(1)

by striking or after military installation resilience,;

(2)

by inserting or (G) by any action of the Department of Defense that negatively affects a covered depot (as such term is defined in section 2476(f) of this title), after the defense facility,; and

(3)

by striking (C), or (F) and inserting (C), (F), or (G).

(1) Initial report

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the number of near misses that aircraft of the Department have had with commercial aircraft during the 10-year period preceding such date of enactment.

(2) Annual report

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter through 2030, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the number of near misses that aircraft of the Department have had with commercial aircraft during the previous fiscal year.

(3) Elements

Each report under this subsection shall include, with respect to each near miss covered under the report, the following:

(4) Form of report

Each report under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

(5) Appropriate congressional committees defined

In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means—