To provide a prohibition on certain reductions to MQ-9 aircraft units, and for other purposes.

This bill establishes a prohibition on the Secretary of the Air Force from reducing the mission capability of MQ-9 aircraft or MQ-9 aircraft units, or the personnel assigned to them, below levels existing on the date of enactment. This prohibition covers actions such as divestment, deactivation, or reducing primary aerospace vehicle authorization (PAA) numbers or primary mission aircraft inventory. The restrictions are in effect during a covered period ending on September 30, 2032, and also prevent modifications to designed operational capability statements that would diminish unit capabilities.

Exceptions to this prohibition include individual MQ-9 aircraft deemed unsafe or uneconomical to repair, and unit mission conversions approved by the applicable governor and certified to congressional defense committees. For Air National Guard units, the Secretary must consult with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the Director of the Air National Guard before taking any modifying actions. Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report within 180 days detailing the Department's plan to recapitalize the MQ-9 aircraft fleet, including assessments of current status, modernization efforts, and the Air National Guard's future role.