US Air Force FY-2027 procurement draft details

The Defense Procurement drafts for Fiscal Year 2027 reveal significant planned increases in US Air Force capabilities. The draft calls for 247 F-15EX Eagle IIs, up dramatically from 48 in FY-2026, plus 128 additional F-35A Lightning IIs. Funding is also allocated for the Next-Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS) to replace KC-135 and KC-46 platforms, and for Boeing to continue developing the E-7A Wedgetail as the replacement for E-3 Sentry early warning aircraft. These programs had faced multiple near-cancellations over the past five years but now appear to have congressional support, though the draft remains subject to change.