H.R. 4027: Frontline Fighter Force First Act

The "Frontline Fighter Force First Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing the capabilities and readiness of the U.S. Air Force's frontline fighter aircraft. Below is a summary of the key components of the bill:

Goals of the Bill

• Recognize the historical achievements and ongoing service of the U.S. Air Force.
• Prioritize the recapitalization of the Air Force's frontline and surge fighter forces.
• Ensure the U.S. military maintains its status as the strongest fighting force globally through a capable frontline fighter fleet.

Major Findings

• The current mission capable rates of existing fleets, particularly the F-15E, are declining.
• Aircraft like the F-15E have played significant roles in combat operations and achieved notable performance records.
• There is an ongoing need to upgrade from legacy aircraft to advanced capabilities to reflect modern military demands.

Recapitalization Efforts

The bill mandates several actions to ensure the procurement of advanced fighter aircraft:

• The Secretary of the Air Force is required to ensure continuous production of at least one model of advanced fighter aircraft until all legacy fighters are replaced.
• Replacement will start with squadrons that are deployed at least 30% of the time, ensuring that the most frequently used aircraft receive upgrades first.

Contracting Provisions

To fulfill the procurement requirements, the bill includes provisions for:

• Entering into new contracts or modifying existing contracts to procure additional advanced capability aircraft.
• Conducting a review of the procurement process by the Comptroller General, which will assess challenges and provide recommendations.

Reporting Requirements

• The Comptroller General must provide a preliminary briefing and a final report on the procurement review within set timelines.
• The Secretary of the Air Force must report annually on progress towards replacing legacy aircraft and implementing the Comptroller General's recommendations.

Definitions

The bill clarifies several terms used within the text:

• Advanced capability fighter aircraft: Includes models like the F-15EX, F-35, and future variants.
• Legacy capability fighter aircraft: Refers to older models that the bill aims to phase out in favor of advanced models.
• Covered Air Combat Command Fighter Wing: Any Air Force fighter unit that has not begun replacing legacy fighters.

Relevant Companies

• BA (Boeing Company): Boeing is involved in the production of fighter aircraft, including the F-15EX, which could see increased demand if this bill passes.
• RTX (Raytheon Technologies Corporation): Raytheon produces various systems and components for advanced aircraft, including those mentioned in the bill.
• LMT (Lockheed Martin Corporation): Lockheed Martin manufactures the F-35, one of the advanced capability aircraft referenced in the legislation, and could benefit from increased production contracts.