Alamogordo folks have been hearing a lot of buzz about big money coming to the Holloman High Speed Test Track (HHSTT), but let’s stick to what’s actually verified in official records as of late December 2025.

The bottom line: Holloman AFB received $700,000 in Fiscal Year 2026 for final design work on upgrades to the existing test track. That’s real federal funding, secured through the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. No multi-billion-dollar project has been approved or funded.

What FY2026 Funding Looks Like for the HHSTT

New Mexico’s congressional delegation — Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján — announced that the enacted FY2026 MilCon-VA bill includes $700,000 specifically to complete the design phase for High Speed Test Track improvements at Holloman.

This continues similar small-scale design allocations from prior years. The work involves architect-engineer services managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to plan repairs and upgrades, such as:

• Replacing sections of rail with a new three-rail system

• Reinforced concrete foundations for better precision and stability

• Modernization of electrical and water systems, including expanded capabilities for simulated rain erosion testing

These upgrades aim to extend the track’s operational life by at least 10 years while supporting growing hypersonic testing needs.

The Modernization Project: What’s Really Happening

Air Force Materiel Command reports confirm an ongoing modernization study led by the 846th Test Squadron. They’re evaluating options to keep the nearly 51,000-foot track — the world’s longest and most precise rocket sled facility — viable through 2070 and beyond.

Options under review include full repairs, hybrid new/repair construction, or all-new sections. Extending narrow-gauge rails for high-speed tests is part of the plan. This effort supports critical DoD missions like hypersonic weapons development and pilot safety testing, but it’s focused on sustaining the existing track, and possibly building a brand-new track.

Timeline for Defense Projects Like This

Major military infrastructure follows a step-by-step federal process:

1.  Design & Planning (Current Phase) → Incremental funding like the $700,000 in FY2026. Includes studies, environmental reviews, and blueprints. Likely wrapping up 2026–2027.

2.  Construction Funding → Not yet requested or approved. Future MilCon bills (possibly FY2028+) would need to allocate dollars.

3.  Build Phase → 2–5 years after funding approval.

4.  Full Operations → Potentially early 2030s, depending on Congress.

No accelerated timeline has been announced.

The $2 Billion Claim: Fact vs. Unsubstantiated Claims

A recent Alamogordo Daily News article reported $2 billion for the test track, “green lighted” suggesting thousands of local jobs.

Fact Check: This figure does not appear in any official DoD, Air Force, Army Corps of Engineers, or congressional sources to date. No press releases from Senators Heinrich or Luján, no budget documents, and no contracting notices mention $2 billion.

The only public cost estimate comes from USACE solicitations for the architect-engineer work, implying future construction in the $100–$250 million range — far below $2 billion. No official job projections have been released.

No Plans for a Second Track at Holloman

While Pentagon officials have discussed the long-term need for expanded national hypersonic testing capacity, no funding, site selection, or approval exists for a second sled track anywhere, including Holloman. The current focus remains on modernizing the one-of-a-kind facility we already have.

Broader FY2026 Military Construction in New Mexico

Our delegation secured approximately $195–202 million statewide in the FY2026 MilCon-VA bill for base improvements, including projects at Cannon AFB (dormitories and security facilities), Kirtland AFB, and Holloman’s $700,000 design allocation. This keeps New Mexico’s installations strong without the blockbuster numbers some rumors suggest.

What It Means for Alamogordo and Otero County

The verified $700,000 keeps planning moving forward, sustaining high-skilled jobs at the 846th Test Squadron and positioning our community for potential future construction contracts. Holloman’s hypersonic mission remains a national priority and a key economic driver here — just not at the scale some reports have claimed via mainstream official sources.

AlamogordoTownNews.org reached out to Holloman AFB Public Affairs, the 704th Test Group, and congressional offices for additional comment. We’ll update as soon as we hear back.

Bottom Line for Local Readers

Verified Facts:

• $700,000 in FY2026 for HHSTT design completion

• Modernization planning to extend track life into 2070+

• Potential future construction: $100–$250 million range

• No change to Holloman’s central role in U.S. hypersonic testing

Unsubstantiated:

• No $2 billion project approved

• No evidence of thousands of new jobs tied to this

• No second test track funded or planned here

We’re committed to straight facts for our community.

Sources

• Senator Ben Ray Luján Press Release: “Luján Delivers Over $202 Million for Vital New Mexico Projects” (November 2025) – Details $700,000 for Holloman High Speed Test Track design.

• Albuquerque Journal: “More than $200 million in federal dollars will come to New Mexico projects” (November 25, 2025) – Confirms $700,000 allocation for HHSTT design.

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sources Sought Notice: Architectural and Engineering Services for High-Speed Test Track at Holloman AFB (2024–2025 solicitation) – Describes scope and implied construction magnitude.

• Air Force Materiel Command: “Modernization effort underway to keep Holloman High Speed Test Track on the rails” (article on afmc.af.mil) – Outlines ongoing study and goals through FY2070.

• Alamogordo Daily News: “High Speed Test Track Funding Gets Approved” (December 2025) – Source of the $2 billion claim requiring fact-checking; no supporting official documentation found.