WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today praised the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (FY26 NDAA). The annual bill sets policy for the U.S. military. This is first NDAA passed under Chairman Wicker’s leadership of the committee.

“Not since the era of World War II has our nation faced an axis of aggressors across multiple theaters seeking to dismantle American influence. The bill we now send to the president’s desk is a reflection of that reality and an appropriate response. 

“In this NDAA, my colleagues and I have prioritized the structural rebuilding of the arsenal of democracy and returning the department to its warfighting mission. Crucially, it also contains the most sweeping upgrades to the Pentagon's business practices in 60 years—a watershed moment for our military. 

“The bill sets us on a path to modernize our defense capabilities and augment our drone manufacturing, shipbuilding efforts, and the development of innovative low-cost weapons. 

“Thanks to the partnership and bipartisan support from Ranking Member Reed, and that of all members who worked to improve this bill, our military will be better prepared to meet the challenges ahead.”

The FY26 NDAA contains a number of Chairman Wicker’s national defense priorities. The legislation enables the United States to deter aggression from increasingly hostile nations like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Service members will benefit from new weapons systems, state-of-the-art technology tools, and investments in ships, aircraft, and other vehicles.

Notably, Chairman Wicker used this legislation to usher in the most significant acquisition reforms to Pentagon business practices in decades. These changes will allow the Department of Defense (DOD) to acquire military hardware and software more quickly, including by tapping into the defense startups driving national security technology innovation today.

Every year, this legislation authorizes programs that are executed in states across the nation. Mississippi’s outstanding contributions to national defense are once again recognized in the act.

In particular, the FY26 NDAA clearly reflects Mississippi’s status as a multi-domain state—a term which indicates leadership across an array of American military capabilities, including air, sea, land, space, and cyberspace. The FY26 NDAA authorizes a total of $528.7 million to support military installations, defense industry sites, and academic research facilities in every corner of Mississippi.

NDAA Upgrades Mississippi’s Military Infrastructure

The FY26 NDAA:

• Authorizes funding for 5 military construction projects in Mississippi, including:
• $14.2 million for a Water Tank Storage System at Columbus Air Force Base
• $11.6 million for an Army Aviation Support Facility and Readiness Center at Camp Shelby
• $2.2 million for an Army Aviation Support Facility at Meridian Readiness Center
• $19 million for a Base Supply Warehouse at Key Field Air National Guard Base
• $6.7 million for a Corrosion Control Hangar at Key Field Air National Guard Base
• Enables the Department of Defense to use progressive design build contracts for construction projects. This format can align the DOD with commercial construction program management and will reduce risks and costs in complicated projects.
• Creates a pilot program for wastewater surveillance to detect infectious diseases at military installations. Wastewater surveillance for drugs can help installations respond more effectively to issues such as fentanyl use. Testing would be performed at Mississippi State University labs, with university staff conducting work throughout the pilot program.
• Increases funding authorizations by $50 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program. 

NDAA Supports Mississippi’s Cybersecurity Initiatives

The FY26 NDAA:

• Authorizes $10 million to support development of Artificial Intelligence enabled systems for Army multi-domain operations. This allows for the Army to use AI to automate the identification of drone swarms and help soldiers quickly automate a “kill chain” to shoot the drone swarms down.
• Authorizes $6 million to safeguard against the emerging threats posed by cognitive hacking, foreign malign influence, and propaganda. Additionally, there will be a new workforce created that better aligns the fragmented nature of organizations that deal with malign foreign influence campaigns.

NDAA Backs Mississippi’s Development of Cutting-Edge Land-Based Systems

The FY26 NDAA:

• Authorizes $6 million to support research on autonomous testing of military vehicles. The system will create vehicle designs that better withstand extreme conditions, reduce equipment failures in combat situations, and enable accelerated testing without risking personnel. Jackson State University will conduct some of this research.
• Authorizes $3 million to continued development of next generation roadway repair materials for the Army, which will support effective maneuvering of military assets.

NDAA Recognizes Mississippi’s Naval Prowess

The FY26 NDAA:

• Ensures the long-term continuation of the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School at the John C. Stennis Space Center.
• Authorizes $5 million for critical sensing capabilities for shallow water, littoral, and riverine environments, particularly near ports, over extended mission durations.
• Authorizes funds for numerous shipbuilding programs, including support for efforts in Pascagoula and Gulfport to construct small boats, submarines, ship-to-shore connectors and berthing barges.  
• $320 million to support the procurement two additional Ship to Shore Connectors. The program delivers the capability to move assault forces rapidly within the littoral operational environment to accomplish Unified Command Plan (UCP) missions. This ensures the Joint Force Commander's ability to conduct amphibious operations and operate over the high-water mark, including movement over ice, mud, rivers, swamps, and marshes.
• $7 million to support the procurement of combatant craft assault boats for Naval Special Warfare.
• $10 million to support manufacturing of composite shaft fabrication in support of the Navy’s Next-Generation Attack Submarine SSN(X) program.
• $78 million to procure additional auxiliary personnel lighter (APL) vessels for the Navy. The program replaces outdated and dilapidated transport ships and will greatly improve sailors' quality of life. 
• Authorizes $5 million to support the development of advanced manufacturing systems for the Navy. This will support major defense and space manufacturing at the John C. Stennis Space Center.
• Establishes formal programs for uncrewed maritime systems. Additionally, it supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s uncrewed maritime systems operating in Gulfport by establishing formal programs for those systems.

NDAA Taps Into Mississippi’s Modern Aircraft Manufacturing

The FY26 NDAA:

• Authorizes $3 million for the procurement of ultra-lightweight aerial drones for special operations.
• Authorizes $7 million for the procurement of long-range projectiles, which are produced in Tupelo. Enabling offensive strike capabilities over hundreds of kilometers from artillery weapons provides the ability to strike before the enemy can attack friendly forces.
• Prevents changes to the Initial Enry Rotary Wing Pilot Training program before the Army conducts a validated analysis of its current program. The Army currently uses Mississippi-made helicopters for this training. 
• Requires the Coast Guard to conduct a fleet analysis and identify the number of rescue helicopters it needs. 

NDAA Prioritizes Military Personnel 

The FY26 NDAA:

• Authorizes funding to support a 3.8 percent pay raise for military members
• Authorizes $168.8 million to fully restore the JROTC funding authorizations, which supports over 80 programs in Mississippi.
• Adds $15 million to continue the critical flagship language program at the University of Mississippi.
• Strengthens requirements the DOD must meet before modifying scope to military treatment facilities. This will ensure that the Keesler Medical Center can continue to serve more than 27,000 people including military retirees, families, and over 7,000 active-duty members.