H.R. 9119

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9119 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9119

To provide a prohibition on certain reductions to MQ-9 aircraft units, 
and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 3, 2026

Mr. Babin (for himself and Ms. Houlahan) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide a prohibition on certain reductions to MQ-9 aircraft units, 
and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN REDUCTIONS TO MQ-9 AIRCRAFT UNITS.

(a) Prohibition.--Except as provided in this section, during the 
covered period, the Secretary of the Air Force may not--
(1) divest, deactivate, redesignate, consolidate, transfer, 
initiate any action to retire, place in backup aircraft 
inventory status, or otherwise reduce the mission capability of 
any MQ-9 aircraft or MQ-9 aircraft unit in existence on the 
date of the enactment of this Act, including by--
(A) reducing the total primary aerospace vehicle 
authorization (PAA) number of MQ-9 aircraft assigned to 
any unit of the Air National Guard below the levels in 
effect on such date of enactment; or
(B) reducing the primary mission aircraft inventory 
of MQ-9 aircraft of the Air Force below the levels in 
effect on such date of enactment;
(2) modify the designed operational capability statement 
for any MQ-9 aircraft unit, as in effect on the date of the 
enactment of this Act, in a manner that would reduce the 
capabilities of such a unit below the levels specified in such 
statement as in effect on such date; or
(3) reduce, below the levels in effect on such date of 
enactment, the number of personnel assigned to units 
responsible for the operation and maintenance of MQ-9 aircraft 
if such reduction would affect the ability of such units to 
meet the capability described in paragraph (2).
(b) Exception for Individual Aircraft.--The prohibition under 
subsection (a) shall not apply to an individual MQ-9 aircraft if the 
Secretary of the Air Force--
(1) determines, on a case-by-case basis, that the aircraft 
is unsafe to operate, uneconomical to repair, or no longer 
mission capable due to mishap damage, structural condition, 
airworthiness, obsolescence, or other material sustainment 
issue; and
(2) meets the requirements of subsection (c) with respect 
to the MQ-9 aircraft unit concerned.
(c) Exception for Mission Conversion.--The prohibition under 
subsection (a) shall not apply to an MQ-9 aircraft unit if the 
Secretary of the Air Force, with the approval of the applicable 
governor pursuant to section 104(c) of title 32, United States Code--
(1) assigns to such unit a new primary mission;
(2) certifies to the congressional defense committees that 
such mission will maintain or enhance the operational 
capability of such unit within the total force; and
(3) submits to the congressional defense committees a plan 
describing--
(A) the personnel impacts of mission conversion;
(B) the projected operational capability of the new 
mission, including programmed funding and required 
manpower;
(C) the timeline for transition; and
(D) any associated aircraft, systems, or 
infrastructure requirements.
(d) Consultation Requirement.--The Secretary of the Air Force shall 
consult with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the Director of 
the Air National Guard before taking any action to retire, divest, 
reduce, realign, restructure, redesignate, consolidate, transfer, or 
otherwise modify any MQ-9 aircraft or MQ-9 aircraft unit assigned to 
the Air National Guard.

SEC. 2. REPORT ON RECAPITALIZATION PLAN.

(a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force, in coordination 
with the Director of the Air National Guard, shall submit to the 
congressional defense committees a report on the plan of the Department 
of the Air Force to recapitalize the MQ-9 aircraft fleet.
(b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
(1) An assessment of the current operational status, 
projected service life, and mission requirements of the MQ-9 
aircraft fleet.
(2) A description of planned modernization efforts, 
sustainment activities, and capability upgrades for MQ-9 
aircraft through fiscal year 2035.
(3) An assessment of options for recapitalization or 
modernization MQ-9 aircraft.
(4) A description of the role of the Air National Guard in 
the future MQ-9 aircraft force structure and recapitalization 
strategy.
(5) A projected timeline and estimated funding requirements 
associated with recapitalization of the MQ-9 aircraft fleet.
(6) An identification of any legislative authorities 
required to implement the recapitalization plan.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Congressional defense committees.--The term 
``congressional defense committees'' has the meaning given that 
term in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code.
(2) Covered period.--The term ``covered period'' means the 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and 
ending on September 30, 2032.
(3) Designed operational capability statement.--The term 
``designed operational capability statement'' has the meaning 
given that term in Air Force Instruction 10-201.
<all>