National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024

Senate ordered measure printed as passed.

Jul 27, 2023

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 authorizes appropriations for Department of Defense programs, military construction, Department of Energy national security programs, Maritime Administration, Department of State, and CIA activities. It sets policy across multiple agencies including the Department of Homeland Security. The bill includes provisions authorizing military equipment procurement (aircraft, ships, missiles, submarines), establishing requirements for strategic planning and datalink systems, setting limits on aircraft retirements pending certain conditions, adjusting minimum fleet sizes for specific aircraft, and establishing policies for research, development, and testing activities including microelectronics and artificial intelligence programs.

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National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 This bill authorizes FY2024 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, military construction, the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Maritime Administration, as well as the Department of State and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). It also authorizes appropriations for the Defense Nuclear Safety Board and the Naval Petroleum Reserves, and sets policy for several other agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill authorizes appropriations, but it does not provide budget authority, which is provided by appropriations legislation. For additional information on the 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 IN12210, FY2024 NDAA: Status of Legislative Activity . TITLE I--PROCUREMENT This title authorizes appropriations for the acquisition or modification of 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. 113 requires the Army to submit a strategy for FY2025 and every five years afterwards for its tactical wheeled vehicle program. Sec. 123 authorizes the Navy to enter into multiyear procurement contracts for 10 Virginia class attack submarines. Sec. 131 prohibits the Air Force from retiring RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles until after the end of FY2028 and limits the Air Force from reducing the fleet below 10 aircraft. Sec. 132 limits the Air Force from retiring T-1A training aircraft until the Air Force certifies the implementation of the Undergraduate Pilot Training 2.5 curriculum. Sec. 133 reduces the minimum number of A-10 aircraft that the Air Force must maintain. Sec. 134 reduces the total minimum number of fighter aircraft that the Air Force must maintain. Sec. 137 prohibits the Air Force from retiring E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft to a fleet size below 16 until the Air Force (1) submits a plan to Congress for maintaining mission readiness with a reduced fleet, or (2) procures sufficient numbers of E-7 Wedgetail aircraft to accomplish the required mission load. Sec. 142 requires DOD to develop and implement a department-wide datalink strategy. For additional information see CRS In Focus IF10599, Defense Primer: Procurement , CRS Report RL32418, Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS Submarine Proposal: Background and Issues for Congress , CRS Report R47188, Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Roles, Missions, and Future Concepts , and CRS Report R41909, Multiyear Procurement (MYP) and Block Buy Contracting in Defense Acquisition: Background and Issues for Congress . TITLE II--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION This title authorizes appropriations for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) and sets policy for certain RDT&E activities, such as microelectronics and artificial intelligence. Below are some examples of provisions in this title. Sec. 211 requires DOD to ensure that military acquisition program guidance for major defense acquisition programs and middle-tier acquisition programs integrates planning for exportability features. Exportability refers to technology protection features in defense systems developed early in acquisition life cycles to facilitate earlier foreign sales. Sec. 212 authorizes DOD to provide funds to sustain U.S. participation in the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) Initiative. Sec. 214 removes the Navy as the resource sponsor of the Advanced Sensors Application Program and establishes the Air Force as resource sponsor, in consultation with the Navy. Sec. 216 requires DOD to establish a program within the National Security Agency to determine sta