S. 1071
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Sponsor: John Cornyn
1 cosponsor
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2026 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, military construction, and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE). The bill also sets forth policies and authorities for the Department of State, the Coast Guard, and the Intelligence Community (IC).
Among other elements, the bill
- authorizes the procurement of various items, including aircraft, ships, and missiles;
- sets active duty and reserve component personnel strength levels;
- sets policy regarding various aspects of military health care and military compensation;
- sets policy regarding DOD acquisitions and acquisition management, including contracting authorities and domestic sourcing;
- sets policy for various matters related to DOD interactions with foreign nations, including matters concerning Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific;
- sets policy for various matters related to DOD cyber operations, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence;
- authorizes specified military construction projects and extends the authorization of certain projects from previous fiscal years;
- authorizes the National Nuclear Security Administration, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, Naval Petroleum Reserves, and Maritime Administration;
- sets policy regarding the organization and workforce of the State Department;
- sets acquisition and personnel policy for the Coast Guard;
- sets policy for merchant mariner credentials, vessel safety, and oil pollution response; and
- sets policy for the IC regarding artificial intelligence and biotechnology.
For additional information on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) see
- In Focus IF10516, Defense Primer: Navigating the NDAA, and
- In Focus IF10515, Defense Primer: The NDAA Process.
Text of the bill
A Department of Defense Authorizations
I Procurement
A Authorization of Appropriations
B Army Programs
C Navy Programs
D Air Force Programs
E Defense-wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters
II Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
A Authorization of Appropriations
B Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations
C Biotechnology Matters
D Plans, Reports, and Other Matters
III Operation and Maintenance
A Authorization of Appropriations
B Energy and Environment
C Logistics and Sustainment
D Matters Relating to Munitions
E Other Matters
IV Military Personnel Authorizations
A Active Forces
B Reserve Forces
C Authorization of Appropriations; Reports
V Military Personnel Policy
A Officer Policy
B Reserve Component Management
C General Service Authorities and Military Records
D Recruitment and Accession
E Member Training
F Member Education
G Military Justice and Other Legal Matters
H Career Transition
I Family Programs, Child Care, and Dependent Education
J Decorations and Awards, Reports, and Other Matters
VI Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits
A Basic Pay and Retired Pay
B Bonus, Incentive, and Separation Pays
C Allowances
D Leave
E Family and Survivor Benefits
F Defense Resale Matters
G Other Benefits, Administrative Matters, Reports, and Briefings
VII Health Care Provisions
A TRICARE and Other Health Benefits
B Health Care Administration
C Studies, Reports, and Other Matters
VIII Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters
A Acquisition Policy and Management
B Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations
C Provisions Relating to Workforce Development
D Provisions Relating to Supply Chains and Domestic Sourcing
E Prohibitions and Limitations on Procurement
F Industrial Base Matters
G Other Matters
IX Department of Defense Organization and Management
A Office of the Secretary of Defense and Related Matters
B Other Department of Defense Organization and Management Matters
(a) In general. Subchapter I of chapter 8 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
199. Joint Interagency Task Force 401
(a) Establishment. There is established in the Department of Defense a joint activity to be known as the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (referred to in this section as the Task Force).
(b) Director
(1) There is a Director of the Task Force (referred to in this section as the Director) who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Defense from among personnel of the Department of Defense who are—
(A) general or flag officers of the covered armed forces; or
(B) members of the Senior Executive Service.
(2) The Director shall report directly to the Deputy Secretary of Defense and shall serve as the principal advisor to the Deputy Secretary and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on counter-small unmanned aircraft system matters.
(c) Organization. The Task Force shall—
(1) be designated as a jointly manned activity with full joint manning support from the covered armed forces as determined by the Director; and
(2) shall consist of such other subordinate organizational elements as the Director determines appropriate, subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense with support from designated organizational elements within the Office of the Secretary of Defense as determined by the Director in coordination with the Secretary.
(d) Responsibilities. The responsibilities of the Task Force shall include the following:
(1) Lead, advocate, coordinate, and focus all Department of Defense actions in support of efforts of the combatant commands and the covered armed forces to defeat small unmanned aircraft systems (referred to in this section as sUAS) as weapons of strategic influence.
(2) Integrate all counter-sUAS solutions throughout the Department of Defense, seeking interagency participation and assistance as necessary.
(3) Develop and share counter-sUAS training tools, expertise, and tactics, techniques, and procedures for components of the Department of Defense that address needs of the joint force.
(4) Coordinate efforts across the Department of Defense to develop, test, evaluate, and procure counter-sUAS kinetic and non-kinetic defeat capabilities.
(5) Carry out the counter-sUAS validation and acquisition responsibilities described in subsections (e) and (f).
(6) Develop and regularly update a counter-sUAS strategic plan.
(7) Carry out such other activities relating to counter-sUAS as the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate.
(e) Approval and validation of counter-suas systems
(1) The Task Force shall serve as the entity within the Department of Defense with primary responsibility for the validation and approval of counter-sUAS systems for procurement and use by the Department.
(2) In coordination with other components of the Department of Defense, the Director shall develop, maintain, and regularly update a list of counter-sUAS systems that are validated and approved for procurement and use by the Department as described in paragraph (1). The Director shall ensure that each counter-sUAS system on the list has been vetted by the Task Force and has proven to be effective for use by the Department in countering sUAS.
(3) Except as provided in paragraph (4), no component of the Department of Defense may procure a counter-sUAS system unless such system—
(A) has been validated and approved by the Task Force under paragraph (1); and
(B) is included on the list maintained under paragraph (2).
(4) The service acquisition executive of the military department concerned (in the case of a procurement by a military department) or the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (in the case of a procurement not under the authority of a service acquisition executive) may waive the restriction under paragraph (3), on a case-by-case basis, by submitting to the congressional defense committees—
(A) notice of the intent to issue such a waiver; and
(B) an explanation of the reasons for issuing the waiver.
(f) Acquisition division. The Director shall establish and maintain an acquisition division within the Task Force. The acquisition division shall—
(1) include acquisition professionals from relevant portfolio acquisition executives (as described in section 1732 of this title) within each covered armed force;
(2) support and facilitate efforts of the Director and covered armed forces—
(A) to budget and plan for the integration and sustainment of counter-sUAS capabilities that are approved and validated by the Task Force under subsection (e); and
(B) to efficiently and effectively transition such capabilities into operational use; and
(3) have such other duties and responsibilities as the Director determines appropriate.
(g) Annual reports. On an annual basis, the Director shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes a summary of the activities of the Task Force over the period covered by the report, including a description of—
(1) the progress of the Task Force in carrying out the requirements of this section;
(2) the metrics used to measure such progress; and
(3) recommendations for congressional consideration.
(h) Definitions. In this section:
(1) The term counter-sUAS system means a system or device capable of lawfully and safely disabling, disrupting, or seizing control of a small unmanned aircraft or small unmanned aircraft system.
(2) The term covered armed forces means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force.
(3) The terms small unmanned aircraft, unmanned aircraft, and unmanned aircraft system have the meanings given those terms in section 44801 of title 49.
(b) Review of counter-unmanned aircraft system readiness
(1) Review. The Director of the Joint Interagency Task Force 401, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall conduct a review to identify differences in the interpretation and application of section 130i of title 10, United States Code, among the military departments.
(2) Report. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the review conducted under paragraph (1). The report shall include a description of each of the following:
(A) Differences identified in the interpretation and application of section 130i of title 10, United States Code, among the military departments, including differences with respect to—
(i) interpretations of the term covered facility or asset;
(ii) the application of modern best practices for counter-UAS systems to each type of covered facility or asset; and
(iii) divergent, unrealistic, or unnecessarily limited legal interpretations of the term covered facility or asset.
(B) The plan of the Director to remedy, without changes to the underlying law, the differences in legal interpretations and applications identified under subparagraph (A).
(C) Any resources required to expedite and modernize site evaluations, including electromagnetic spectrum evaluations required for the deployment of counter-UAS systems and site surveys described in section 1089 of this Act.
(D) Suggestions to improve the role of the United States Northern Command as a synchronizing body for homeland counter-UAS systems deployed at covered facilities or assets.
(E) The strategy of the Director for retrofitting and modernizing military installations and depots for testing counter-UAS systems and an identification of any policy, legal, or regulatory challenges to carrying out such a strategy.
(3) Definition. In this subsection, the term counter-UAS system has the meaning given that term in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code.
(c) Strategy and funding plan. 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 includes—
(1) a strategy to ensure the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 has the funding and other resources necessary to execute its responsibilities, as required under section 199 of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)); and
(2) a plan for funding the Task Force across the period covered by the most recent future-years defense program submitted to Congress under section 221 of title 10, United States Code (as of the date of the report).
(d) Counter unmanned aerial system threat library. Section 353 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118–159; 10 U.S.C. 130i note) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by striking Not later and all that follows through Office, and inserting Not later than June 30, 2027, the Director of the Joint Interagency Task Force 401; and
(2) in subsection (c)—
(A) by striking The Secretary and all that follows through Office, and inserting The Director of the Joint Interagency Task Force 401; and
(B) by striking the Secretary of the Army and inserting the Director.
X General Provisions
A Financial Matters
B Counterdrug Activities
C Naval Vessels and Shipyards
D Counterterrorism
E Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations
F Studies and Reports
G Other Matters
XI Civilian Personnel
XII Matters relating to foreign nations
A Assistance and training
B Foreign military sales and related processes
C Matters relating to the Middle East
D Matters relating to Israel
E Matters relating to Europe, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation
F Matters relating to the Indo-Pacific region
G Matters relating to Asia
H Other matters
XIV Other Authorizations
A Military Programs
B National Defense Stockpile
C Other Matters
XV Cyberspace-related Matters
A Cyber Operations
B Cybersecurity
C Information Technology and Data Management
D Artificial Intelligence
E Reports and Other Matters
XVI Space Activities, Strategic Programs, and Intelligence Matters
A Space Activities
B Defense Intelligence and Intelligence-Related Activities
C Nuclear Forces
D Missile Defense Programs
E Matters Relating to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena
F Matters Relating to Electromagnetic Warfare
G Other Matters
XVII Other Defense Matters
XVIII Acquisition Reform
A Alignment of the Defense Acquisition System
B Requirements Process Reform
C Matters Relating to Commercial Products and Commercial Services
D Improvements to Acquisition Programs
E Modifications to Strengthen the Industrial Base
B Military Construction Authorizations
XXI Army Military Construction
XXII Navy Military Construction
XXIII Air Force Military Construction
XXIV Defense Agencies Military Construction
XXV International Programs
A North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program
B Host Country In-Kind Contributions
XXVI Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities
XXVII Base Realignment and Closure Activities
XXVIII Military Construction General Provisions
A Military Construction Programs
B Military Housing Reforms
C Real Property and Facilities Administration
D Land Conveyances
E Modifications to Unspecified Minor Military Construction
F Other Matters
C Department of Energy National Security Authorizations and Other Authorizations
XXXI Department of Energy National Security Programs
A National Security Programs and Authorizations
B Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations
C Reports and Other Matters
XXXII Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
XXXIV Naval Petroleum Reserves
XXXV Maritime Administration
D Funding Tables
XLI Procurement
XLII Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
XLIII Operation and Maintenance
XLIV Military Personnel
XLV Other Authorizations
XLVI Military Construction
XLVII Department of Energy National Security Programs
E Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
I Organization and operations
A Management and consular affairs
B Human resources
C Political affairs
D Other matters
II Workforce matters
III Information security and cyber diplomacy
IV Public diplomacy
V Diplomatic security
VI Miscellaneous
F Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
LXI Intelligence Activities
LXII Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System
LXIII Intelligence Community Matters
LXIV Intelligence Community Efficiency and Effectiveness
LXV Matters Relating to Elements of the Intelligence Community
A Central Intelligence Agency
B Elements of Department of Defense
C Federal Bureau of Investigation
LXVI Artificial Intelligence and Other Emerging Technologies
A Artificial Intelligence
B Biotechnology
C Other matters
LXVII Matters Relating to Foreign Countries
A Matters Relating to China
B Other Matters
LXVIII Reports and Other Matters
G Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025
LXXI Coast Guard
A Authorization of appropriations
B Accountability
LXXII Organization, Authorities, Acquisition, and Personnel of the Coast Guard
A Authorities
B Acquisition
C Personnel
D Coast Guard Academy
E Reports and Policies
LXXIII Shipping and Navigation
A Merchant Mariner Credentials
B Vessel Safety
C Ports
D Matters Involving Uncrewed Systems
E Other Matters
LXXIV Oil Pollution Response
LXXV Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Response
A Accountability Implementation
B Misconduct
C Other matters
LXXVI Comptroller General Reports
LXXVII Amendments
H Other Matters
LXXXI Financial Services Matters
LXXXII Judiciary Matters
LXXXIII Foreign Affairs Matters
A Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act of 2025
B BUST Fentanyl Act
C Western Balkans democracy and prosperity
D Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025
E Other Matters
LXXXIV National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps
B South Pacific Tuna Treaty matters
C Other Matters
LXXXV Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security Act of 2025
A General Matters
B Imposition of Sanctions
C Prohibition and notification on investments relating to covered national security transactions
D Securities and Related Matters
LXXXVI Securing the Airspace, Facilitating Emergency Response, and Safeguarding Key Infrastructure, Entertainment Venues, and Stadiums
LXXXVII DFC Modernization and Reauthorization Act of 2025
A Definitions and Less Developed Country Focus
B Management of Corporation
C Authorities Relating to the Provision of Support
D Other Matters
LXXXVIII Other Matters