The Department of the Air Force FY 2024 budget request is approximately $215.1 billion dollars, a $9.3B or 4.5% increase over the FY23 enacted position. The Air Force budget request of $185.1B is a $5.4B increase over the FY23 enacted position. The Space Force budget request of $30B is a $3.9B increase. The Department's RDT&E request is $55.4B, a $4.9B increase over the FY23 Enacted position. This growth showcases the Department's commitment to making the investments needed to implement the National Defense Strategy.
The Air Force's RDT&E request is $36.2B, a $2.3B increase over the FY23
Enacted position, funding capabilities which support nuclear modernization
and in turn, deter strategic attacks against the United States, our allies,
and partners. The RDT&E request for the Space Force is $19.2B, which
represents a $2.6B, or 16% increase over the FY23 enacted position. This
budget pivots toward resilient architectures and embodies an integrated
deterrence approach establishing the Space Force's ability to operate in a highly contested environment.
The Department continues to heavily invest in advanced capabilities
supporting integrated deterrence ensuring that our collective systems
provide an advantage over any potential adversaries' collective means. The
FY24 Procurement request is $35.4B; a $1.2B increase over FY23 Enacted. For
the Air Force, this budget adds $1B to grow the F-35A fighter fleet by 48 aircraft.
It adds $518M to procure 15 KC-46 for continued tanker recapitalization and
$317M for 24 F-15 E/Xs.
Operation and Maintenance is the largest appropriation making up 36% or
$78.5B of the overall Department budget. O&M funds daily operations critical
to sustaining readiness, building resiliency, and enhancing the Department's
wartime posture. The $2.8B in growth from FY23 Enacted is largely driven by
additional investments in people, Weapon System Sustainment, and Installation Support.
The Department of the Air Force's Military Personnel request is $42.1B.
Total Military End Strength for FY24 is 512,100 military members, which
includes Air Force Active, Guard and Reserve Airmen, and Space Force Active
Guardians. Airmen and Guardians will receive a 5.2% military pay raise,
along with a 4.2% increase to the Basic Allowance for Housing and a 3.4%
increase to the Basic Allowance for Subsistence accounts to help alleviate
increased housing and living costs.
The Military Construction and Family Housing request is $3.8B. It funds 51
projects in 17 states and 8 overseas locations, including nearly $1.1B for
18 weapon system bed-down projects across 8 installations. This budget
request continues to display the Department's commitment to take care of the
force and their families while also focusing investments on modern weapon
systems bed-downs and critical infrastructure investments for increased
global warfighter capabilities.
