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
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
Where this section came from
Not in the first version (Introduced in Senate, Mar 14, 2025).
-
Dec 10, 2025 · Engrossed Amendment House H.Amdt. 116: Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 936, the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 119-16 is considered adopted. Official page › H.Res. 936: On Ordering the Previous Question — Passed, 216–210 · Roll Call 317 H.Res. 936: On Agreeing to the Resolution — Passed, 215–211 · Roll Call 318 On Motion to Commit — Failed, 209–216 · Roll Call 319On Passage — Passed, 312–112 · Roll Call 320
What does "considered adopted" mean?
When a chamber approves a rule that says a change is "considered adopted", the change becomes part of the bill as soon as the rule passes, without a separate vote on the change itself.
(a) Product support manager
(1) In general. Subchapter III of chapter 87 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1732, as added by section 1802, the following new section:
1733. Product support manager
(a) In general. A product support manager is the individual responsible for managing product support required to field and maintain the readiness and operational capability of a covered system throughout the life cycle of the covered system.
(b) Designation. The Secretary of Defense shall designate a product support manager for each covered system who shall be coequal with the program manager for such covered system and report directly to the portfolio acquisition executive responsible for such covered system.
(c) Objectives. The product support manager shall seek to achieve the objectives of the defense acquisition system established pursuant to section 3102 of this title and shall identify, develop, implement, incentivize, and measure quantifiable best value outcome-based product support that optimizes life-cycle cost, readiness, and operational capability of a covered system.
(d) Specific responsibilities. A product support manager shall be responsible for the following with respect to a covered system:
(1) Developing and executing the product support strategy required under section 4324 of this title.
(2) Providing product support and subject matter expertise to the relevant program manager and portfolio acquisition executive.
(3) Collaborating with chief engineers and systems engineers—
(A) in developing the life-cycle sustainment plan and product support strategy required under section 4324 of this title; and
(B) to analyze the operating and support costs to ensure cost-effective operation, management, and availability of the covered system.
(3) Adopting predictive analytics and simulation and modeling tools to improve materiel availability and reliability, increase operational availability rates, and reduce operation and sustainment costs.
(4) Conducting product support business case analyses to provide a structured, iterative methodology to compare and assess the full impact of product support alternatives and provide data-informed recommendations that balance requirements with affordability. Such analyses shall—
(A) enable the development of the product support strategy as early as possible, but not later than Milestone B approval has been granted for the covered system; and
(B) inform proposed updates or changes in the product support strategy as needed.
(5) Reviewing and recommending resource allocations across product support integrators and product support providers to meet performance requirements of the product support strategy.
(6) Coordinating product support arrangements between product support integrators and product support providers across materiel commands, depots, sustainment working capital funds, and commercial entities to execute the product support strategy and maintain updated parts cataloging and provisioning.
(7) Seeking to resolve issues relating to diminishing manufacturing supply, material shortages, critical readiness items of supply.
(8) Managing the end-to-end coordination process related to qualification, certification, and testing of alternative sources of supply for critical readiness items of supply.
(9) Ensuring the evaluation and selection of product support integrators and product support providers that are best suited to execute the product support strategy.
(e) Definitions. In this section:
(1) The term best value has the meaning given in section 3101 of this title.
(2) The terms covered system, critical readiness items of supply, product support, product support arrangement, product support integrator, and product support provider have the meanings given, respectively, in section 4324 of this title.
(2) Education, training, and experience requirements for product support managers. Section 1735 title 10, United States Code, is amended—
(A) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection:
(c) Product support manager. Before being assigned to a position as product support manager, a person—
(1) shall have completed all life-cycle logistics certification and training requirements prescribed by the Secretary of Defense;
(2) shall have executed a written agreement as required in section 1734(b)(2) of this title; and
(3) in the case of—
(A) a product support manager of a major defense acquisition program, shall have at least eight years of experience in life-cycle logistics, at least two years of which were performed in a systems program office or similar organization;
(B) a product support manager of a significant nonmajor defense acquisition program, shall have at least six years of experience in life-cycle logistics; and
(C) a product support manager for a covered system (as defined in section 4324 of this title), shall be designated as a key leadership position.
(3) Conforming amendments. Section 1731(a)(1)(B) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:
(iv) Product support manager.
(b) Sustainment reviews. Section 4323 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
4323. Sustainment reviews
(a) Review required. The Secretary of Defense shall require each Secretary of a military department, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, to conduct an assessment of the actual performance of each major weapon system against the operational readiness requirements and materiel readiness objectives (established under section 118(c) of this title). Each Secretary of a military department shall use such assessment to—
(1) identify any factors contributing to the failure of a major weapon system to meet such requirements and objectives;
(2) develop and implement a corrective action plan to address such factors in an expeditious manner; and
(3) inform the submission of materials to Congress required by section 118(c)(2) of this title and the development of the future-years defense program required by section 221 of this title.
(b) Submission to congress. Not later than five days after the date on which the budget of the President is submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, each Secretary of a military department, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes the following:
(1) Findings from a review of the effectiveness of the life-cycle sustainment plan required under section 4324 of this title for a major weapon system.
(2) A description of how such assessments informed the submission of materials to Congress required by section 118(c)(2) of this title and the development of the future-years defense program required by section 221 of this title.
(3) For a covered system which has been declared to meet initial operational capability, and that for two consecutive calendar years has failed to meet established materiel readiness objectives for materiel availability or operational availability (as such terms are defined, respectively, in section 118 of this title), such report shall include—
(A) an identification of factors contributing to such failure;
(B) a mitigation plan to address supply, maintenance, or other issues contributing to such failure; and
(C) a description of any corrective action plan required by subsection (a)(2) and an update on progress made in implementing such a plan.
(4) A summary of actions taken by the Secretary to ensure that each covered system of the military department under the jurisdiction of the Secretary meets the applicable operational readiness requirements and materiel readiness objectives in the most cost-effective manner practicable.
(c) Covered system defined. In this section, the term covered system has the meaning given in section 4324 of this title.
(c) Life-cycle management and product support. Section 4324 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
4324. Life-cycle management and product support
(a) In general. The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each covered system is supported by a performance-based life-cycle sustainment plan—
(1) that is approved by the service acquisition executive responsible for such covered system; and
(2) that meets applicable operational readiness requirements and materiel readiness objectives (established under section 118(c) of this title) in the most cost-effective manner practicable.
(b) Life-cycle sustainment plan
(1) A product support manager shall develop, update, and implement a life-cycle sustainment plan for each covered system for which the product support manager is responsible. Such plan shall include the following:
(A) A comprehensive product support strategy that addresses each Integrated Product Support Element in a manner—
(i) to best achieve operational readiness requirements and materiel readiness objectives throughout the planned life cycle of such system; and
(ii) that allows evaluation and selection of product support integrators and product support providers appropriate to execute the product support strategy.
(B) A life-cycle cost estimate for the covered system that—
(i) is based on the product support strategy described in subparagraph (A); and
(ii) if the covered system is a major defense acquisition program or major subprogram, is developed in accordance with the requirements to support a Milestone A approval, Milestone B approval, or Milestone C approval.
(C) Recommended engineering and design considerations that support cost-effective sustainment of the covered system and best value solutions in life cycle planning and management.
(D) An intellectual property management plan for product support developed in accordance with section 3774 of this title, including requirements for technical data, software, and modular open system approaches (as defined in section 4401 of this title).
(E) A strategy to maximize use of public and private sector capabilities including public-private partnerships, when appropriate.
(F) After consideration of the views received by the milestone decision authority from appropriate materiel, logistics, or fleet representatives, a plan to transition the covered system from production to initial fielding that addresses specific products or services required for successful initial fielding of the covered system, including—
(i) a description of the necessary tooling or other unique support equipment, requirements for initial spare parts and components, technical handbooks and maintenance manuals, maintenance training, and facilities;
(ii) an identification of the funding required to provide such products and services for any initial fielding location of the covered system; and
(iii) an assessment of the required number of training simulators, including the initial operational capability and overall fielding of such simulators.
(2) In developing each life-cycle sustainment plan required by this section, the product support manager shall—
(A) consider affordability constraints and key cost factors that could affect operating and support costs during the life cycle of the covered system;
(B) consider sustainment risks or challenges to sustaining the covered system in operational environments, including contested logistics environments (as defined in section 2926 of this title);
(C) seek to comply with—
(i) requirements to maintain a core logistics capability under section 2464 of this title; and
(ii) limitations on the performance of depot-level maintenance of materiel under section 2466 of this title;
(D) seek to integrate commercial best practices, use commercial standards, and use advanced technologies to enhance the product support of each covered system; and
(E) seek to maintain a robust, resilient, and innovative defense industrial base to support requirements throughout the life cycle of the covered system.
(d) Definitions. In this chapter:
(1) The terms milestone decision authority and Milestone A approval have the meanings given, respectively, in section 4251 of this title.
(2) The term Milestone B approval and Milestone C approval has the meaning given in section 4172 of this title.
(3) The term covered system means—
(A) a major defense acquisition program as defined in section 4201 of this title;
(B) a major subprogram as described in section 4203 of this title; or
(C) an acquisition program or project that is carried out using the rapid fielding or rapid prototyping acquisition pathway under section 3602 of this title that is estimated by the Secretary of Defense to require an eventual total expenditure described in section 4201(a)(2) of this title.
(4) The term critical readiness items of supply means—
(A) parts and systems designated as Mission Impaired Capability Awaiting Parts, Not Mission Capable Supply, or Casualty Report Category 3 or 4 status (as defined by the Secretary of Defense or a Secretary of a military department); or
(B) parts or systems designated by the Secretary of Defense as negatively impacting the materiel readiness objectives of a covered system.
(5) The term Integrated Product Support Elements means, with respect to a covered system—
(A) product support management;
(B) design interface;
(C) sustaining engineering;
(D) maintenance planning and management;
(E) supply support;
(F) support equipment;
(G) technical data;
(H) training and training support;
(I) information technology systems continuous support;
(J) facilities and infrastructure;
(K) packaging, handling, storage, and transportation; and
(L) manpower and personnel.
(6) The term product support means the package of support functions required to field and sustain the readiness and operational capability of covered systems (including subsystems and components of such covered systems).
(7) The term product support arrangement—
(A) means a contract, task order, or another contractual arrangement, or any type of agreement or non-contractual arrangement entered into by the Federal Government, for the performance of sustainment or logistics support required for covered systems (including subsystems and components of such covered systems); and
(B) includes arrangements for any of the following:
(i) Performance-based logistics.
(ii) Sustainment support.
(iii) Contractor logistics support.
(iv) Life-cycle product support.
(8) The term product support integrator means an entity responsible for integrating private and public sources of product support within the scope of a product support arrangement.
(9) The term product support provider means an entity that provides product support functions.
(d) Conforming amendments to materiel readiness metrics and objectives for major weapon systems. Section 118 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in the section heading, by inserting materiel readiness before objectives;
(2) in subsection (b), by striking shall address and inserting shall establish procedures and a computation methodology to determine;
(3) in subsection (c)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking the metrics required and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting materiel readiness objectives for each major weapon system.; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the metrics required by subsection (b) and inserting such materiel readiness objectives;
(4) in subsection (d)(2), by striking readiness goals or objectives and inserting materiel readiness objectives;
(5) in subsection (e), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting a comma after designated mission; and
(6) in subsection (f)—
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:
(3) The term materiel readiness objective means the minimum required availability of each covered system that is necessary to fulfill the requirements of the strategic framework and guidance referred to in subsection (a).
(e) Major weapons systems: assessment, management and control of operating and support costs. Section 4325 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (b)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting in accordance with the requirements of section 118 of this title and after be issued;
(B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
(3) require each Secretary of a military department to update estimates of operating and support costs periodically throughout the life cycle of a major weapon system, and make necessary adjustments to the life-cycle sustainment plan required by section 4324 of this title to ensure such major weapon system meets applicable operational readiness requirements and materiel readiness objectives (established in accordance with section 118(c) of this title) in the most cost-effective manner practicable;
(C) by amending paragraph (9) to read as follows:
(9) prior to the Milestone B approval (or equivalent approval) for a major weapon system, require the Secretary concerned to ensure the completion of an intellectual property management plan for product support required under section 4324(b)(1)(D) of this title; and
; and
(D) by amending paragraph (10) to read as follows:
(10) require each Secretary of a military department to create and retain an independent cost estimate for the remainder of the life cycle of the covered weapon system every five years.
(2) by striking subsection (c); and
(3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).
(f) Retention of data on operating and support costs
(1) In general. The Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation shall develop and maintain a database on operating and support estimates, supporting documentation, and actual operating and support costs for major weapon systems (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code, as added by section 811 of this Act).
(2) Support. The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the Director, in carrying out the requirements of paragraph (1)—
(A) promptly receives the results of all cost estimates and cost analyses conducted by each Secretary of a military department with regard to operating and support costs of major weapon systems acquired pursuant to a major defense acquisition program (as defined in section 4201 of title 10, United States Code); and
(B) has timely access to any records and data of military departments (including classified and proprietary information) that the Director considers necessary to carry out such requirements.
(3) Coordination. The Secretary of Defense may direct each Secretary of a military department, with concurrence of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, to collect and retain information necessary to support the database required in (1).
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