Senator Schmitt Secures Major Wins for Missouri, Defense Acquisition Reform, Military Readiness in the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), secured key wins in the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that will strengthen Missouri's military installations and defense industrial base, modernize the Pentagon's acquisition strategy, and enhance military readiness both at home and abroad.

"To effectively deter our adversaries and guarantee the safety and prosperity of our great nation, we must ensure our military has the resources and capabilities delivered on time to respond to today's challenges. This bill strengthens Missouri's military installations and defense industrial base, unleashes competition and innovation, and ensures we remain the most lethal and capable fighting force in the world. Missouri, and the country, is stronger and safer thanks to this NDAA," said Senator Schmitt.

Missouri Wins in the NDAA:

• $127 million for Whiteman Air Force Basemilitary 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 to produce Sea-Launched aerial drones in Springfield, Missouri.
• $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The NDAA repeals and amends more than 100 provisions to modernize the defense acquisition process, remove outdated systems, technologies, and requirements, and reduce burdensome administrative complexities.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:

• 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 DoD 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.
• 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.

Senator Schmitt Secured the Following National Security Wins:

• Operational Technology Cybersecurity: This provision 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.
• Extend the Service Life of the C-130H: This language best positions Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in Missouri to receive new C-130Js to replace its again C-130H models.
• 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.
• Cybersecurity of the Panama Canal: This provision establishes a pilot program for the U.S. military to enhance cybersecurity around the Panama Canal. This provision is meant to align with President Trump and Secretary Hegseth's objectives to root out Chinese influence and cyber infiltration from the canal zone.

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