Columbia News

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, has announced several provisions he secured in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The measures aim to bolster Missouri’s military infrastructure and defense manufacturing while introducing reforms to modernize U.S. defense acquisition and enhance national security.

In a statement, Senator Schmitt said, “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.”

Among the allocations for Missouri are $127 million for construction at Whiteman Air Force Base related to stationing B-21 long-range bombers. Additionally, $3.3 billion is set aside for procurement of these bombers for Whiteman. St. Louis will see significant investments with $500 million allocated for F-47 production, $459 million for MQ-25 Stingray manufacturing at Boeing’s local facility, $576 million for modernization of F/A-18E/Fs and EA-18Gs, as well as funds supporting other aircraft programs including T-7A Trainers ($362 million) and F-15EX ($78 million).

Other state-focused projects include $132.6 million toward Joint Assault Bridge production in Carthage; funding for geospatial workforce development tied to NGA West in St. Louis; support for drone production in Springfield; research grants at the University of Missouri; and protection of services at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital.

The NDAA also introduces broad reforms intended to streamline Pentagon acquisitions by repealing or amending more than 100 provisions considered outdated or administratively burdensome. One provision shifts acquisition strategy towards flexible portfolio-based management with clearer accountability among decision-makers.

Further changes require treating more systems as major business assets under Department of Defense oversight while moving from lowest-cost contracting toward best-value frameworks intended to increase procurement speed and flexibility.

Another provision raises the Truth in Negotiations Act threshold from $2 million to $10 million—a move designed to ease compliance requirements particularly affecting small businesses involved with defense contracts.

National security initiatives include encouraging operational technology cybersecurity excellence centers—potentially located at Fort Leonard Wood—to safeguard internal software vital to infrastructure such as utilities or transport systems.

Additional language aims to position Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in Missouri as a recipient of new C-130J aircraft models; solidify dual sixth-generation fighter program efforts involving Boeing platforms; require progress reports on commercial counter-UAS protections for military facilities; direct development of AI-related cybersecurity protocols before deployment within Department networks; and establish a pilot program focused on improving cybersecurity around the Panama Canal amid concerns about foreign influence.