EC–130H COMPASS CALL RECAPITALIZATION PROGRAM.

SEC. 131. EC–130H COMPASS CALL RECAPITALIZATION PROGRAM.(a) Authorization.—Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of the Air Force may carry out a program to transfer the primary mission equipment of the EC–130H Compass Call aircraft fleet to an aircraft platform that the Secretary determines—(1) is more operationally effective and survivable than the existing EC–130H Compass Call aircraft platform; and(2) meets the requirements of the combatant commands.(b) Limitation.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2017 or any other fiscal year for procurement may be obligated or expended on the program under subsection (a) until the date on which the Secretary of the Air Force determines that there is a high likelihood that the program will meet the requirements of the combatant commands.(2) The limitation in paragraph (1)—(A) shall not apply to the development and procurement of the first two aircraft under the program; and(B) shall not limit the authority of the Secretary to enter into a contract that may include an option for the future production of aircraft under the program if—(i) the exercise of such option is at the discretion of the Secretary; and(ii) such option is not exercised until the Secretary determines that there is a high likelihood that the program will meet the requirements of the combatant commands.