US HB1851

Increases minimum Air Force fighter aircraft inventory from 1,800 to 1,900 total aircraft and from 1,145 to 1,200 primary mission aircraft through October 1, 2030, extending the deadline from the previous October 1, 2026

Allows Secretary of Defense to temporarily reduce inventory minimums (not below 1,800 aircraft, not exceeding two years) to enable unit transitions from legacy to new combat-coded fighter aircraft, with congressional notification required

Requires at least 3 of every 4 new advanced, fifth-generation, or next-generation fighter aircraft to be assigned to existing service-retained Air Force squadrons, with one-for-one legacy aircraft retirement permitted

Mandates preservation of all 25 Air National Guard fighter squadrons through October 1, 2030, prohibiting retirement or funding reduction of their aircraft except for those determined no longer mission capable

Establishes quarterly reporting to Congress on fighter aircraft inventory status and annual recapitalization plans for the Air National Guard, with Secretary of Air Force travel funds suspended for missed reporting deadlines