Department of the Air Force
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget request is approximately $217.5B, a $2.4B or 1.1% increase over the FY 2024 budget request. The DAF plays an integral role achieving the four priorities outlined in the National Defense Strategy (NDS): defending the homeland, deterring strategic attacks, deterring aggression, and building a resilient Joint Force. After more than twenty years focused on counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, the DAF is focused on ensuring our organization is optimized for the competition we will continue to face in the coming decades. The Department is ready to deter and prevail against today’s threats, however, to maintain our advantage and improve our operational posture we must continue immediate and significant capability modernization to keep pace with the growing military capabilities of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The DAF remains focused on the Department of Defense’s mission to safeguard and advance vital U.S. national security interests and meet growing threats to a stable and open international system. In line with the priorities of the Secretary of Defense, this budget request supports that mission and invests in the people and teams that are our decisive advantage. This budget request maintains readiness to respond to current threats and addresses key capability gaps while investing to manage risks that are increasing with time. Furthermore, this budget request continues to focus and build upon the modernization called for by the Operational Imperatives and Cross-cutting Operational Enablers.
U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Air Force FY 2025 budget request is $188.1B, a $3.0B increase from the FY 2024 budget request.
The Operation and Maintenance (O&M) budget request of $75.6B includes a $2.1B increase from the FY 2024 budget request. This request resources a 2% civilian pay raise ($242M), continues to support programs such as Violence Prevention and Sexual Assault Prevention & Response ($380M), and funds Facilities, Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization at 77% ($4.3B). Additionally, it resources readiness efforts, funding U.S. Air Force Weapons System Sustainment (WSS) at 87% ($18.8B) and the Flying Hour Program at $1.1M hours ($9.3B).
The Military Personnel (MILPERS) budget request of $41.7B improves quality of life for Airmen. It resources a 4.5% pay raise, 4.2% Basic Allowance for Housing raise, and 3.4% Basic Allowance for Subsistence raise. This budget request resources $1.6B for Permanent Change of Station moves and includes $1.1B for bonus and retention programs for 118,000 critically skilled positions.
The Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) budget request of $37.7B invests in key modernization efforts across multiple core functions. The nuclear enterprise includes modernization efforts include B-21, Sentinel, Long Range Standoff (LRSO) weapon, and the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC). These investments along with Next-Generation Air Dominance, Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), and other modernizations will counter future security challenges in alignment with the Secretary of the Air Forces seven operational imperatives.
The Procurement budget request of $29.0B continues investments in several modernization priorities such as the F-35A, F-15EX, KC-46A, and the T-7A advanced pilot trainer. In addition, the procurement budget request continues investment in advanced munitions with the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER), Long Range Anti-Ship missile (LRASM), Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER), along with other precision munitions such as Joint Direct Attach Munition and Small Diameter Bomb (I & II).
The Military Construction (MILCON) budget request of $4.1B continues to fund high-priority projects to meet critical infrastructure requirements, mission needs, and operational timelines. The request includes $3.4B for Military Construction with resources allocated for new weapon system bed downs, Quality of Life projects, existing infrastructure investment, and Planning and Design for future projects.
U.S. Space Force
The FY 2025 U.S. Space Force budget request is $29.4B, a decrease of $0.6B from the FY 2024 budget request.
The Operation and Maintenance (O&M) budget request of $5.2B resources a 2% civilian pay raise ($9M) and funds 81% of Weapon System Sustainment requirements ($1.4B). In addition, this request sustains mission operations and supports headquarters and field commands for doctrine development, warfare, intelligence, and professional military education.
The Military Personnel (MILPERS) budget request of $1.2B resources a 4.5% pay raise, 4.2% Basic Allowance for Housing, and 3.4% Basic Allowance for Subsistence. Additionally, it supports U.S. Space Force end strength growth from 9,400 military authorizations to 9,800 military authorizations.
The Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget request of $18.7B invests to protect and defend global space architectures, protect and enable the Joint Force, build more resilient and integrated deterrence, and invest in Guardians. This request includes funding for Resilient Missile Warning/Missile Tracking capabilities, Space Technology Development and Prototyping, Ground/Space Domain Awareness, Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR), Evolved Strategic Satellite Communication (SATCOM) (ESS), Protected Tactical SATCOM (PTS), and Tech Transition (Space).
The Procurement budget request of $4.3B funds acquisition of space vehicles and terminals, ground control systems, launch services for seven National Security Space Launches and four SDA launches, and related communications security and training products.
DAF Summary
The Department of the Air Force faces a generational challenge with an enduring strategic competition against a dynamic, well-resourced, and determined competitor. The PRC is actively developing and expanding capabilities to defeat the Department’s ability to project power. We are in a race for technological superiority. The FY 2025 budget request is informed by these threats and builds a ready force capable of engaging the strategic long-term challenge across the spectrum of operations from competition through conflict. Furthermore, our strategy driven budget is aligned with the NDS and meets mission requirements while taking care of people and fulfilling the Department’s role in the Joint and interagency team.