A-10, Other Legacy Aircraft Provided New Lifeline

Latest defense bill provisions would extend inventory requirements and restrict divestments across multiple fleets.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, December 09, 2025 at 12:10 PM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A-10 aircraft in storage at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base [Credit: Ryan Ewing]

Key Takeaways:

The FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) imposes significant new restrictions on the Air Force's planned retirement of several aircraft fleets, aiming to delay divestment and maintain higher minimum inventory levels.
Key provisions include delaying A-10 Warthog retirements and setting minimum fleet numbers, prohibiting F-15E Strike Eagle retirements through fiscal year 2026, and maintaining E-3 Sentry AWACS fleet levels.
The legislation also extends existing prohibitions on reducing RQ-4 Global Hawk, C-130 Hercules, and B-1B Lancer fleets, and mandates specific storage conditions for retired KC-10 Extenders.

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Congress is moving to impose new restrictions on several planned Air Force aircraft retirements as part of the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The legislation, which includes House- and Senate-negotiated text, would adjust minimum inventory levels, delay approved divestitures, and add new reporting requirements across a range of legacy fleets. The NDAA is a yearly defense policy measure that must pass both chambers before being signed into law. The current draft reflects the version heading toward final consideration.