Industrial Preparedness/Pol Prevention

The Industrial Preparedness/Pol Prevention program is a critical component of the Air Force's Missile Procurement budget, as detailed in Line Item 000042. This program is designed to ensure the sustained operational readiness and resilience of the nation's missile production capabilities, with a particular focus on Air Force Plant 44 in Tucson, Arizona. The overarching goal is to maintain a robust, efficient, and compliant industrial base that can reliably supply advanced weapon systems to meet current and future defense requirements.

A primary objective of this line item is the Capital Type Rehabilitation (MPC 3000) of Air Force Plant 44. This includes funding for the repair, modernization, and expansion of plant infrastructure, as well as major construction, demolition, and equipment upgrades. These investments are essential to ensure the plant's operational safety, security, and effectiveness, allowing it to meet the evolving demands of missile production for both the Air Force and the Navy.

The rehabilitation efforts also include property appraisals and energy conservation projects, which contribute to the long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness of the facility.

Another significant focus is the Environmental Compliance (MPC 7000) program. This objective is aimed at ensuring that Air Force Plant 44 adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Compliance efforts are critical to avoiding costly shutdowns, environmental clean-up liabilities, and potential penalties from regulatory agencies.

A key element of this program is pollution prevention, which seeks to reduce controlled emissions and minimize the use of hazardous materials within the facility. These initiatives support regulatory compliance and promote environmental stewardship and operational efficiency.

The line item also provides for Missile-Related Industrial Base Assessments (MPC 6000). This component involves evaluating the health, capacity, and vulnerabilities of the missile production industrial base. These assessments help identify potential risks to the supply chain and inform strategies to mitigate disruptions, ensuring that critical weapon systems can be produced and maintained without interruption. The assessments are vital for long-term planning and for maintaining the nation's technological edge in missile systems.

The Industrial Preparedness/Pol Prevention program is justified by the unique role Air Force Plant 44 plays as a backbone of Department of Defense weapon systems assembly and maintenance. The plant supports a diverse portfolio of missile systems used by both the Air Force and the Navy, making its continued operation and modernization a national security priority.

The requested FY2026 funding will sustain ongoing capital improvements, environmental compliance, and industrial base assessment activities, all of which are necessary to maintain uninterrupted missile production and support the readiness of U.S. military forces. The funding for this program is contained within Program Element 78011F and is managed under the Missile Procurement, Air Force appropriation. By investing in these targeted areas, the Air Force aims to ensure that Air Force Plant 44 remains a secure, efficient, and compliant facility capable of supporting the nation's most advanced missile systems for years to come.