Spares And Repair Parts

The Spares And Repair Parts program, as outlined in Line Item 861900 of the Air Force's FY 2026 Other Procurement budget, is designed to ensure the operational readiness and sustainment of newly fielded vehicles, communications electronics, and base support equipment. The primary objective of this line item is to procure initial spares and repair parts, including reparable components, assemblies, subassemblies, and consumable items. These items are essential for maintaining mission-critical systems and equipment, particularly during deployment and in adverse operational environments. The requirements for these spares are determined using established factors based on historical data, deployment concepts, and production schedules. This approach ensures that the Air Force can maintain high levels of readiness and safety.

Funding for Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems (ATCALS) in FY 2026 supports the procurement of initial spares for several key systems, including Man-Portable Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN), Air Traffic Navigation, Integration and Coordination System (ATNAVICS), Fixed Base Navigational Aid Family of Systems, and the new Fixed Base Instrument Landing System (FB-ILS). These systems are critical for safe aircraft landings, especially in adverse weather conditions, and replace legacy equipment that has reached the end of its service life. The spares include single-point failure components necessary to sustain system operations in both fixed and deployed environments.

Combat Training Range Equipment funding provides spare parts and equipment for the fielding of Joint Threat Emitters, the Advanced Radar Threat Systems family of systems, and modernization initiatives. The objective is to maintain and upgrade training ranges to support realistic combat training scenarios. Spares procured under this line item include replacement components and equipment necessary to ensure the continued functionality and reliability of these training systems. These systems are vital for preparing aircrews for current and emerging threats.

Deployable C3 Systems funding supports initial spares for the Agile Communications Package (ACP). These mission-essential spare parts are unique and must be available at each fielding location to ensure robust and reliable communications capabilities. The goal is to maintain the operational effectiveness of deployable command, control, and communications systems, which are critical for expeditionary operations and rapid response scenarios.

Expeditionary Airfield Basing Assets funding provides mission readiness support kits for War Reserve Material (WRM) Unit Type Codes (UTC). These kits include components necessary for the proper operation of equipment packages that support power production, feeding, water production, billeting, maintenance facilities, and HVAC systems. The objective is to ensure that deployed airfields and support bases can maintain essential services and infrastructure. This enhances the Air Force's ability to project power and sustain operations in diverse environments.

National Airspace System (NAS) funding in FY 2026 is used to procure initial spares for replacement Air Traffic Control (ATC) Voice Recorders and Voice Switches. These components are essential for maintaining safe and reliable voice communications between air traffic controllers and pilots, particularly during takeoff and landing. The new recorders and switches replace end-of-life equipment and are required to document communications in the event of emergencies or accidents, supporting both flight safety and incident investigation.

Wide Area Surveillance (WAS) does not receive new funding for initial spares in FY 2026, as the program has fulfilled its initial sparing posture for Stateside Affordable Radar System (STARS) sites and Scorpion sites. Previous investments have met the requirements for maintaining these surveillance systems, and no additional spares are currently needed.