FY2026 NDAA, Section 152 ("Requirements for an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roadmap for the Air Force")

Summary

Require the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a comprehensive roadmap for ISR capabilities by October 1, 2026.

Plan for modernizing or divesting legacy airborne ISR systems with specific justification for each.

Outline planned investments in emerging ISR technologies, highlighting artificial intelligence, machine learning, space-based ISR, and autonomous platforms.

Propose a timeline and milestones for roadmap implementation over the next ten fiscal years.

Requires the Secretary of the Air Force to submit an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities roadmap by October 1, 2026.

SEC. 152. REQUIREMENT FOR AN INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE ROADMAP FOR THE AIR FORCE. (a) In General.--Not later than October 1, 2026, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a comprehensive roadmap detailing the strategic plan for the development, acquisition, modernization, and integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of the Air Force.

Segment 2

(b) Elements.--The roadmap required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A strategic assessment of current (as of the date on which the roadmap is submitted) and projected intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance requirements for the Air Force across all domains, including air, space, and cyberspace. (2) An inventory of current (as of the date on which the roadmap is submitted) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms, sensors, and associated data-processing systems, including the mission capabilities, operational status, and expected service life for each.

Outlines planned investments in AI, machine learning, and autonomous platforms for ISL.

(3) A plan for the modernization or divestment of legacy airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, with individualized justification of the modernization or divestment plan for each such legacy system. (4) A detailed outline of planned investments and capabilities in emerging intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance technologies, including-- (A) artificial intelligence; (B) machine learning; (C) space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and (D) autonomous or remotely piloted platforms.

Segment 4

(5) An assessment of the integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data into command and control networks, including interoperability with joint, interagency, and allied partners. (6) A risk assessment identifying potential capability gaps, threats, and mitigation strategies. (7) A description of the roles and responsibilities of the components of the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance effort of the Air Force in implementing the roadmap. (8) A proposed timeline and milestones for the implementation of the roadmap over the next ten fiscal years.