Sen. Budd Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Buy Hundreds of New Fighter Jets and Set Fleet Minimums
The Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently introduced in the Senate and sent to the Committee on Armed Services for review. No further actions are scheduled at this time.
It has strong bipartisan support in the Senate and addresses national security concerns but high-cost defense bills often face budget debates in the House.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
The bill has a small indirect effect on veterans. Expanded fighter production and maintenance needs could create defense-sector job opportunities where veterans' skills are valued. However, the bill does not directly target veterans or change any veterans' programs.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a legislative package aimed at expanding fighter production. The centerpiece, the Airpower Acceleration Act, authorizes multi-year procurement for F-15EX and F-35 aircraft and increases the F-15EX buy to 329 total jets.
Senators Ted Budd and Jeanne Shaheen proposed the Airpower Acceleration Act to rebuild the defense industrial base. The bill focuses on restoring combat aircraft forces by authorizing 200 more F-15EX jets and establishing multi-year contracts to drive down costs.
Senators Ted Budd and Jeanne Shaheen introduced the Airpower Acceleration Act, which would authorize the Air Force to procure up to 329 F-15EX aircraft. The bill also seeks multiyear procurement authority for the F-35 and F-15EX to stabilize the defense industrial base and reduce costs.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026
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