Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025

Became Public Law No: 118-159.

Dec 23, 2024

Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 This bill authorizes for FY2025 and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, military construction, the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE), the Maritime Administration, and the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the federal government. It also authorizes the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board and the Naval Petroleum Reserves and sets policy for certain other agencies, including the Department of State and the Department of the Interior. The bill authorizes appropriations but it does not provide budget authority, which is provided by appropriations legislation. For additional information on the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) see CRS In Focus IF10516, Defense Primer: Navigating the NDAA , CRS In Focus IF10515, Defense Primer: The NDAA Process , and CRS Insight IN12405, FY2025 NDAA: Status of Legislative Activity . DIVISION A--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS TITLE I--PROCUREMENT This title authorizes acquiring or modifying various military items (such as aircraft, ships, tracked combat vehicles, missiles, and ammunition) and sets policy for certain procurement programs. Below are some examples of provisions in this title. (Sec. 101) This section authorizes FY2025 procurement for the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, the Space Force, and DOD-wide activities. (Sec. 112) This section requires the Department of the Army to carry out a pilot program that incorporates moving robotic target systems into live fire training for select National Guard and Army Reserve infantry units at no fewer than three military installations. (Sec. 126) This section authorizes the Department of the Navy to enter into multiyear procurement contracts for CH-53K aircraft (King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters) and T408 engines for such aircraft, as well as advance procurement contracts (i.e., contracts to procure components needed for an item long before the item itself is purchased) for associated material and equipment. (Sec. 129) This section bars the use of FY2025 DOD funds for the construction of a Constellation-class frigate beyond the basic and functional design phase until DOD certifies to Congress that the technical authority for the program has given final approval to 95% of all basic and functional design drawings. Upon such certification, the Government Accountability Office shall submit an assessment to Congress of the completeness of such design drawings and DOD’s compliance with this section. (Sec.143) This section allows the Department of the Air Force, through the end of FY2025, to decrease the total quantity of fighter aircraft in the Air Force’s primary mission aircraft inventory to not fewer than 1,101 aircraft. This section also reduces the minimum quantity of A-10 aircraft required in the Air Force’s primary mission aircraft inventory from 135 to 96 until 90 days after the Air Force submits certain reports related to the F-35 and the A-10 to Congress. (Sec. 145) This section extends a requirement for the Department of the Air Force to maintain a total inventory of not less than 271 C-130 aircraft through FY2025. This section also extends through FY2025 a requirement prohibiting the Department of the Air Force from reducing the number of C-130 aircraft assigned to the National Guard below the number assigned on December 23, 2022. (The Air Force may drop below the specified number in either case if aircraft are no longer mission capable due to damage.) (Sec. 149) This section bars the use of FY2025 Air Force funds to reduce the number of KC-135 aircraft designated as primary mission aircraft inventory within the Air Force reserve components. (Sec. 150) This section prohibits the Department of the Air Force from retiring, preparing to retire, placing in storage, or placing on backup aircraft inventory status any F-15E a