Peace Garden News

The Senate Armed Services Committee has advanced the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), moving it to the full Senate for consideration. The bill contains significant provisions affecting North Dakota’s military installations and defense contributions.

This year’s NDAA includes support for President Trump’s Golden Dome architecture, addresses mental health care staffing at military medical facilities, and aims to improve the transition process for service members returning to civilian life.

“Well, advancing the [National] Defense Authorization Act out of the Armed Services Committee really is an important first step to fulfilling our Constitutional duty by providing for the common defense,” said Senator Kevin Cramer. “Whether it's investing in Grand Forks’ intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, modernizing our nuclear triad in Minot, or really upgrading the radar at Cavalier Space Force Station, the bill solidifies the crucial role that North Dakota plays in protecting our homeland. I really appreciate Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Reed for their leadership, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the bill on the Senate floor, hopefully very soon.”

Senator Cramer has used his position on SASC to advocate for North Dakota-based defense initiatives. The FY26 NDAA authorizes several projects across North Dakota.

The legislation provides funding for modernization of the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) at Cavalier Space Force Station. PARCS tracks more than half of all earth-orbiting objects and its upgrade will enhance detection of missile threats as well as space domain awareness.

Cavalier SFS is set to play a key role in implementing President Trump’s Golden Dome initiative—a plan designed to expand U.S. missile defense capabilities against various threats including ballistic missiles and drones. Senators Cramer and Dan Sullivan introduced legislation supporting this effort alongside an executive order from President Trump directing development of a next-generation missile defense shield.

At Grand Forks Air Force Base, investments will be made in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities while maintaining RQ-4 Global Hawk drone requirements. The NDAA allocates $277 million toward Tranche 3 of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture program; these satellites are intended to boost global tracking and identification abilities regarding advanced missile threats such as hypersonic systems (https://www.sda.mil/newsroom/sda-announces-awards-for-tranche-3-transport-layer/).

An additional $17 million will go toward developing corrosion-resistant coatings produced by Technology Applications Group (TAG) in Grand Forks—a company known for magnesium surface protection technologies.

The act also secures funding for continuation of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program based at Minot Air Force Base—intended as a replacement for aging Minuteman III missiles—and maintains an ICBM count no lower than 400 units.

Other provisions encourage establishing wing-level additive manufacturing facilities within the U.S. Air Force aimed at supporting both conventional and nuclear long-range strike platforms through faster repairs at reduced costs.

North Dakota's "Happy Hooligans" unit operates MQ-9 Reaper drones central to remotely piloted aircraft missions. The NDAA establishes a formal combat identifier recognizing RPA crew members' direct support roles during combat operations—allowing them access to specific veterans benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Senators Cramer and Jacky Rosen introduced related legislation—the Combat Action Recognition and Evaluation (CARE) for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Crews Act—to ensure proper recognition and services are provided to RPA crews.

Finally, authorization is included in this year’s bill for planning and design work on a new Armory project in Jamestown—a priority item for North Dakota National Guard leadership.