Senator Schmitt Applauds Senate Passage of FY26 NDAA, Secures Major Wins for Missouri

Bill Now Heads to President Trump's Desk to be Signed into Law

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, celebrated the Senate passage of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and secured key wins that will strengthen Missouri's defense industrial base, modernize the Pentagon's acquisition strategy, and deliver on President Trump's peace through strength agenda.

"As we face the most complex threat environment in a generation, we must ensure our military remains the most lethal and capable fighting force in the world. This NDAA delivers on President Trump's peace through strength agenda by providing our warfighters with the tools they need to defend our homeland, overhauling the Pentagon's acquisition strategy to unleash innovation and competition, and strengthening Missouri's critical military installations. Missouri, and America, is stronger and safer thanks to this NDAA," said Senator Schmitt.

Missouri Wins in the NDAA:

• $33.6 million for Whiteman Air Force Base military construction investments for the stationing of the B-21 long-range bomber.
• $3.3 billion to procure B-21 long-range bombers, which will be stationed in Whiteman Air Force Base.
• $500 million to produce F-47s in St. Louis.
• $459 million to manufacture MQ-25 Stingrays at Boeing's factory in St. Louis.
• $576 million to modernize and sustain F/A-18E/Fs and EA-18Gs in St. Louis.
• $50.6 million to sustain the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in St. Louis.
• $362 million to make T-7A Trainers in St. Louis
• $78 million to advance Boeing's F-15EX program in St. Louis.
• $132.6 million for the Joint Assault Bridge, which will be made in Carthage, Missouri.
• $5 million for the Geospatial Workforce Development Program to support NGA West in St. Louis.
• $5 million for the University of Missouri's Micro-Reactor Program Advancement Research Reactor Center Initiative.
• Protection of hospital-level services at the soon to open, state-of-the-art General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital.

National Security Wins:

The NDAA repeals and amends more than 100 provisions to modernize the defense acquisition process, remove outdated systems, technologies, and requirements, and reduce burdensome administrative complexities. Senator Schmitt secured the following provisions to modernize the Pentagon:

• Reforms to True Cost and Pricing Data: This provision raises the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) threshold from $2 million to $10 million to better align with modern acquisition realities and reduce unnecessary compliance burdens for nontraditional and small business vendors.
• Modification to acquisition strategy: This provision pushes the Department of War (DoW) toward more flexible, portfolio-based acquisition strategies, while making sure authority and accountability rest with portfolio executives and clearly defined decision-makers.
• Modifications to current defense acquisition requirements: This provision broadens what DoW must treat as major business systems, moves away from rigid lowest-cost contracting to a best-value framework, and strips out some restrictive acquisition language - all aimed at making defense procurement more flexible, comprehensive, and speed-focused.

Senator Schmitt Secured the Following National Security Wins:

• Operational Technology Cybersecurity: This report language requires DoW to consider setting up an operational technology (OT) cybersecurity center of excellence at an installation that can leverage engineering synergies and hold excess capacity, like Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. OT cyber focuses on protecting the internal software of critical assets such as water and power plants, ships, planes, and ports.
• Support the 442d Fighter Wing: This provision prohibits retiring or defunding A-10s for one year and bars dropping total inventory below 103 aircraft, which helps maintain the 442d Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base. The 442d at Whiteman AFB is set to lose its A-10 squadron. This language prevents the early retirement of the aircraft and requires the Air Force to provide transition plans and replacement schedules.
• Extend the Service Life of the C-130H: This language best positions the 131st Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in Missouri to receive new C-130Js. Specifically, the provision bans the reduction of Air National Guard C-130H allocations for an extra year.
• Support Dual Sixth Generation Fighter Programs: After President Trump selected Boeing to produce the Air Force's platform, the F-47, this effort aims to solidify the industrial base capability to select the Navy's sixth-gen platform, the F/A-XX.
• Commercial Counter-UAS Installation Protection: This report language requires DoW to submit a report to Congress by next year, on the progress of rapidly acquiring and fielding commercial counter-UAS to defend our military facilities.
• AI Physical and cybersecurity procurement: This provision requires DoW to develop physical and cybersecurity requirements for implementing artificial intelligence and machine learning systems before they are integrated into the larger DoW network.

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