MQ–9 aircraft

(a) Limitation on divestment (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary of the Air Force may not divest, retire, or otherwise reduce the inventory of MQ–9 aircraft below the baseline inventory level until September 30, 2031. (2) Exception (A) In general Any reduction in the inventory of MQ–9 aircraft resulting from combat loss, attrition, or other unplanned damage shall not be considered divestment or other reduction for purposes of paragraph (1). (B) Restoration The Secretary of the Air Force shall, to the maximum extent practicable, take actions to restore the inventory of MQ–9 aircraft to the baseline inventory level following any reduction in inventory described in subparagraph (A). (C) Notification Not later than 30 days after any reduction in inventory described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a notification that includes the following: (i) A description of the circumstances resulting in the combat loss, attrition, or other unplanned damage of the aircraft. (ii) An assessment of the impact of such reduction in inventory on operational capability. (iii) A plan, if any, to replace the aircraft or otherwise mitigate the reduction in inventory. (3) Baseline inventory level defined In this subsection, the term baseline inventory level means the total number of MQ–9 primary mission aircraft in the inventory of the Air Force as of the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Minimum inventory requirement (1) In general The Secretary of the Air Force shall ensure that the total inventory of MQ–9 aircraft is not fewer than 180 aircraft on and after October 1, 2028. (2) Inclusions The total inventory described in paragraph (1) may include a mix of all variants of MQ–9 aircraft. (c) Analysis of alternatives (1) In general The Secretary of the Air Force shall, in consultation with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, conduct an analysis of alternatives for a medium-altitude intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability to replace the MQ–9 aircraft. (2) Evaluation The analysis required by paragraph (1) shall evaluate options that meet or exceed the operational capabilities provided by the MQ–9 aircraft as of the date of the analysis, including endurance, survivability, sensor capability, and mission flexibility. (d) Report and briefing Not later than December 1, 2027, the Secretary of the Air Force shall— (1) submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the analysis required by subsection (c); and (2) provide a briefing to such committees on such results.