Washington D.C. - U.S. Representative Michael Turner (OH-10) is proud to announce significant wins for Ohio's 10th District in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. These provisions will directly benefit Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the surrounding community, enhancing our national security and supporting local economic growth. Key investments include $45 million for a new Human Performance Wing Laboratory, 3.8% pay increase for all military members, and provisions to support long-term infrastructure improvements at the Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) Dayton to enhance medical research capabilities.
Congressman Mike Turner said, "These NDAA wins are a testament to our commitment to improving the lives of our servicemembers and strengthening our national defense. The new Human Performance Wing Laboratory at Wright-Patterson will consolidate and modernize critical functions, directly benefiting our warfighters. By bolstering the infrastructure at NAMRU Dayton, we are not only supporting the health and well-being of our servicemembers but also reinforcing our commitment to maintaining a strong and resilient military force. Our increased compensation for our military members, reformed acquisition to get our warfighters what they need, when they need it, and work to keep Ohio’s tenth district the center of innovation and defense excellence.”
The Human Performance Wing Laboratory will serve as a modernized headquarters for the 711th Human Performance Wing, consolidating and upgrading functions previously scattered across outdated facilities. This investment will significantly improve the health and performance of our military personnel.
The NDAA’s provisions to support long-term infrastructure improvements at NAMRU Dayton will significantly enhance the unit's medical research capabilities, ensuring that our military personnel have access to the latest advancements in medical technology and treatment. These improvements are crucial for advancing medical research that can directly benefit our troops and contribute to the overall readiness and effectiveness of our armed forces.
The significant enhancements in military member compensation included in the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2026 including a 3.8% pay raise for all service members, recognizes their dedication and service to our nation. Additionally, the NDAA expands special pay options, providing further financial support to those who serve in critical roles. The act also increases the Family Separation Allowance for deployed service members, acknowledging the sacrifices made by military families when their loved ones are away on duty.
These provisions in the FY26 NDAA reflect Congressman Turner's dedication to supporting Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the broader community. By securing these investments and addressing the concerns of the community, Turner continues to advocate for the needs of Ohio's 10th District and the safety and well-being of our nation's servicemembers and residents.
Congressman Mike Turner's NDAA FY26 Wins:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Enhancements:
- Human Performance Wing Laboratory: $45 million authorized for a new lab at Wright-Patterson to modernize and consolidate functions, improving the health and performance of our military personnel.
- Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton: Supports long-term infrastructure improvements at the unit to enhance medical research capabilities.
- Military Member Compensation: 3.8% pay raise for all service members, expanded special pay, increased Family Separation Allowance for deployed service members.
- High Mach Turbine Engine (HMTE): An additional $20 million authorized to maintain research and testing pace, crucial for developing reusable hypersonic aircraft at Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
- Metals Affordability Initiative: $2.5 Million to fund a project at AFRL to make metals lighter, stronger, and more affordable for military applications.
Acquisition Systems Reform:
- Accelerated Requirements Process: Creates a new, accelerated requirements process designed to rapidly seek innovative solutions from industry rather than prescribing exquisite systems to be built.
- Centralized Management of Acquisition Programs: Streamlines and speeds bureaucratic decision-making by centralizing management of acquisition programs under a single portfolio acquisitions executive (PAE).
- Early Life-Cycle Sustainment Decisions: Ensures that life-cycle sustainment decisions are made early in the acquisition process to prevent costly readiness issues and long-term maintenance shortfalls.
Environmental and Health Initiatives:
- Head and Hearing Protection: Directs the Army and Air Force to assess and report on head and hearing protection for aircraft maintenance personnel, enhancing their safety.
Technological and Defense Advancements:
- Nuclear Electric Propulsion Technology Assessment: Advances strategic space mobility by assessing nuclear electric propulsion technology.
- Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program: Supports the U.S. Air Force's program to enhance combat capabilities.
- Terrestrial LiDAR Laser Scanners: Supports the development of auto-calibrating, self-leveling LiDAR laser scanners for the Air Force.
- Pele Nuclear Reactor: $120 million directed for the Strategic Capabilities Office's Pele mobile micro nuclear reactor pilot program.
- Supply Chain Transparency: Incentivizes contractors to assess and monitor their supply chains’ strength against infiltration from China and other adversaries.
International and Strategic Partnerships:
- Baltic Security Initiative: Establishes deeper ties with the Baltic region to enhance security cooperation.
- U.S.-Israel Counter-UAS Cooperation: Extends cooperation through December 31, 2028, and increases funding to $75 million annually to counter unmanned aerial systems.
- Military Intelligence Support for Ukraine: Requires the Secretary of Defense to notify Congress within 48 hours of any decision to pause or restrict intelligence support to Ukraine.
- Drone Warfare Capabilities: Analyzes U.S. drone warfare capabilities and lessons learned from Ukraine to improve future operations.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure:
- Cyber Requirements for Contractors: Imposes additional cyber requirements for contractor information systems to enhance security.
- Autonomous Data Collection: Includes report language on autonomous data collection to improve military operations.
- Warfighter Exercises: Supports language for warfighter exercises to enhance military readiness.
- Cyber Security Requirements for Telecommunications: Updates cybersecurity requirements for telecommunications contracts to protect against threats.
- Resilience and Contingency Planning: Focuses on planning for simultaneous attacks on space and undersea infrastructure to ensure national security.
Space and Military Capacity Building:
- Space Domain Awareness: Authorizes building capacity for space domain awareness to monitor and protect space assets.
- Radiation-Shielding Assessment: Assesses and develops programs for the use of radiation-shielding to protect military personnel.
Infrastructure and Research:
- Laboratory Revitalization Program: Increases the ceiling for defense laboratory minor construction from $9 million to $12 million to support research facilities.
- AFIT Instructors: Ensures Space Force participation among Air Force Institute of Technology instructors to bolster educational programs.
Aircraft and Manufacturing:
- F-35 Procurement: Supports procurement of 69 F-35 aircraft per year to maintain and enhance U.S. air superiority.
- Advanced Air Vehicle Production: Supports new entrants and modern manufacturing approaches to advanced air vehicle production, fostering innovation.