The Pentagon would be authorized to sign multiyear contracts for some critical munitions key to any conflict in the Pacific, but also would be compelled to provide quarterly reports to Congress on current munitions stockpiles under the $1.15 trillion fiscal year 2027 defense authorization bill approved by the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday just before midnight.
The annual measure, which was adopted by a vote of 44-12, seeks to shore up the US defense industrial base for future conflicts, and fuel rapid development of new technologies such as drones and counter-drone technology, autonomy, and artificial intelligence. The act is ...