H.R. 3560 — what changed
National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Research and Development Act
From Introduced in House to Reported in House. 22 sections amended and 1 added between Introduced in House and Reported in House.
Sec. 2 Findings
Congress finds the following:
Unmanned aircraft systems have the potential to change and transform sectors of the United States economy.
Advanced air mobility aims to transform the way people and goods are transported through new capabilities and applications.
Current uses and applications of unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility include agriculture, transportation, law enforcement, public safety, disaster evaluation and response, fire detection, border security, weather forecasting, construction, utility monitoring, and many other uses and applications.
changed
Research, Research on and development, demonstration, testing, and evaluation of counter-UAS systems and detection systems activities are critical to fully understand the capabilities of and threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems.
Unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility systems are subject to safety, privacy, cybersecurity, and supply chain risks, particularly as most unmanned aircraft systems in the United States are manufactured or assembled from parts manufactured in foreign countries.
National and homeland security threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility systems include criminal and terrorist use for espionage, surveillance, and intelligence gathering, smuggling drugs and contraband, and platforms to deliver explosives or chemicals, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons, and other firearms.
changed
The Federal Government has an important role in advancing research, development, voluntary consensus technical standards, and education activities in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems technologies through coordination and collaboration between and among State, local, Federal, and Tribal governments, academia, and the private sector.sector, and labor organizations.
There is a lack of voluntary consensus technical standards for unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility for academia and the public and private sectors.
changed
The United States needs to invest in domestic manufacturing and secure supply chains of unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility systems to meet the demand by the Government and the commercial sectors, to ensure United States high quality domestic manufacturing and supply chain jobs, and to reduce reliance on foreign-made systems.
Sec. 3 Definitions
changed
In this Act:Act, the following definitions apply:
Advanced air mobility— The term “advanced air mobility” means a transportation system that transports people and property by air between two points in the United States using aircraft with advanced technologies, including electric aircraft or electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
changed
Counter-UAS system—Agency head— The term “counter-UAS system” has “agency head” means the meaning given such term head of any Executive agency (as defined in section 44801(5) 105 of title 49, 5, United States Code.Code).
added
Counter-uas system— The term “counter-UAS system” has the meaning given such term in section 44801(5) of title 49, United States Code.
renumbered
was (5)
Institute— The term “Institute” means a Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Research Institute described in section 201(b).
added
Institution of higher education— The term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)
added
Interagency working group— The term “Interagency Working Group” means the Advanced Air Mobility and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Interagency Working Group of the National Science and Technology Council established under section 101 of title 1.
added
Labor organization— The term “labor organization” has the meaning given the term in section 2(5) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(5)), except that such term shall also include—
added
any organization composed of labor organizations, such as a labor union federation or a State or municipal labor body; and
added
any organization which would be included in the definition for such term under such section 2(5) but for the fact that the organization represents—
added
individuals employed by the United States, any wholly owned Government corporation, any Federal Reserve Bank, or any State or political subdivision thereof;
added
individuals employed by persons subject to the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 151 et seq.); or
added
individuals employed as agricultural laborers.
removed
Interagency working group— The term “Interagency Working Group” means the Advanced Air Mobility and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Interagency Working Group of the National Science and Technology Council.
renumbered
was (7)
National laboratory— The term “National Laboratory” has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
added
Technical standard— The term “technical standard” has the meaning given such term in section 12(d)(5) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
removed
Tribal government— The term “Tribal government” has the meaning given the term “tribal government” in section 421 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 658).
renumbered
was (9)
Unmanned aircraft system— The term “unmanned aircraft system” has the meaning given such term in section 44801(12) of title 49, United States Code.
Sec. 4 Purposes
The purpose of this Act is to ensure United States leadership in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems, and maximize benefits and mitigate risks of such systems by—
changed
supporting research, development, demonstration, testing, and transition to operations of secure advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems, including research and development to accelerate enable integration of such systems into the National Airspace System;
improving the interagency planning and coordination of Federal research and development of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems and maximizing the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s advanced air mobility and next generation unmanned aircraft systems research and development programs;
changed
promoting research and development collaboration among the Federal Government, State, local, domestic manufacturing and Tribal governments, National Laboratories, industry, domestic supply chains for unmanned aircraft systems and academic institutions;mitigating supply chain risks;
changed
promoting domestic manufacturing of unmanned aircraft systems supporting activities to mitigate risks to public safety and mitigating supply chain risks;national and homeland security, including through response to disasters;
changed
supporting activities to mitigate risks to public safety preparing the present and national security future United States workforce for the integration of advanced air mobility and homeland security, unmanned aircraft systems across sectors of the economy, including through response to disasters;support for curriculum development and research opportunities and through partnerships that may include labor organizations and labor-management workforce training organizations;
removed
preparing the present and future United States workforce for the integration of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems across sectors of the economy, including through support for curriculum development and research opportunities;
renumbered
was (9)
supporting research, development, demonstration, and testing of civilian applications of unmanned aerial systems, including improved safety and sustainability of ground transportation, environmental monitoring, and disaster response;
added
promoting research and development collaboration among State, local, Tribal, and Federal governments, National Laboratories, industry, labor organizations, and academic institutions;
removed
promoting research and development collaboration among the Federal Government, State, local, and Tribal governments, National Laboratories, industry, and academic institutions;
renumbered
was (11)
promoting the development of voluntary consensus technical standards and best practices for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems; and
renumbered
was (12)
applying lessons learned from unmanned aircraft systems research, development, demonstration, and testing to advanced air mobility systems.
Sec. 101 Interagency working group
Designation—
changed
In general— The National Science and Technology Council shall establish or designate an interagency working group on advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems to coordinate Federal research, development, deployment, testing, and education activities to enable the advancement of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems.
changed
Membership— The interagency working group shall be comprised of senior representatives from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Transportation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Homeland Security, and such other Federal agencies as appropriate.
Duties— The interagency working group shall—
changed
develop a the strategic research plan to guide Federal research to enable advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems and oversee implementation of the plan;
changed
oversee the ongoing development of—
an assessment of the current state of United States competitiveness and leadership in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems, including the scope and scale of United States investments in relevant research and development; and
changed
strategies to strengthen and secure the domestic supply chain for advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems.systems;
changed
facilitate communication and outreach opportunities with academia, industry, professional societies, the Federal Government, State, local, Tribal, and Tribal Federal governments, and other stakeholders;
changed
facilitate partnerships to leverage knowledge and resources from industry, the Federal Government, State, local, Tribal, and Tribal Federal governments, National Laboratories, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Sites, academic institutions, and others;
changed
coordinate with the Advanced Air Mobility Working Group established by Public Law 117–203 and heads of other Federal departments and agencies to avoid duplication of research and other activities to ensure that the activities carried out by the interagency working group are complementary to those being undertaken by other interagency efforts; and
changed
coordinate with the National Security Council and other authorized agency coordinating bodies on the assessment of risks posed by the existing Federal unmanned aircraft systems fleet and outlining potential steps to mitigate such these risks.
Report to congress—
changed
Initial report— Not later than one 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the interagency working group shall transmit a report to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that—
includes a summary of federally funded advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems research, development, deployment, and testing activities, including the budget for each of these activities; and
describes the progress in developing the plan required under section 102 of this Act.
changed
Biennial report— Not later than two 2 years after the delivery of the initial report under paragraph (1) and biennially every 2 years thereafter until December 31, 2033, the interagency working group shall transmit a report to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that includes—
changed
a summary of federally funded advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems research, development, deployment, and testing activities, including the budget for each of such these activities; and
changed
an analysis of the progress made towards achieving the goals and priorities for the interagency research plan developed by the interagency working work group under sections 102 and 103.
changed
Strategic research plan— Not later than two 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the interagency working group shall transmit the strategic research plan developed under section 102 to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the strategic research plan developed under section 102.Senate.
Sec. 102 Strategic research plan
changed
In general— Not later than two 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the interagency working group shall develop and periodically update, as appropriate, a strategic plan for Federal research, development, deployment, and testing of advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems. In developing the plan, the interagency working group shall consider and use information, reports, and studies on advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems that have identified research, development, deployment, and testing needed, and recommendations made by the National Academy Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in the review of the plan under subsection (c).
Contents of the plan— The plan shall—
determine and prioritize areas of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems research, development, demonstration, and testing requiring Federal Government leadership and investment;
establish, for the 10-year period beginning in the year the plan is submitted, the goals and priorities for Federal research, development, deployment, and testing which will—
support the development of advanced air mobility technologies and the development of an advanced air mobility research, innovation, and manufacturing ecosystem;
provide sustained, consistent, and coordinated support for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems research, development, and demonstration, including through grants, cooperative agreements, testbeds, and testing facilities;
apply lessons learned from unmanned aircraft systems research, development, demonstration, and testing to advanced air mobility systems;
support the development of voluntary consensus technical standards and best practices for the development and use of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems;
support education and training activities at all levels to prepare the United States workforce to use and interact with advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems;
changed
support partnerships to leverage knowledge and resources from industry, the Federal Government, State, local, Tribal, and Tribal Federal governments, National Laboratories, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Ranges, academic institutions, labor organizations, and others to advance research activities;
leverage existing Federal investments; and
changed
promote hardware inoperability, open-source systems, interoperability and standards-driven hardware;open-source systems;
support research and other activities on the impacts of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems on national security, safety, economic, legal, workforce, and other appropriate societal issues;
changed
reduce barriers to transferring research findings, capabilities, and new technologies related to advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems from the laboratory into operation for the benefit of society and United States competitiveness;
changed
in consultation with the Council of Economic Advisers, measure and track the contributions of unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility to United States economic growth and other societal indicators;indicators; and
changed
identify relevant programs and make recommendations for the coordination of relevant activities of the Federal agencies and set forth the role of each Federal agency in implementing the plan; andplan.
removed
consider and utilize, as appropriate, reports and studies conducted by Federal agencies, the National Research Council, or other entities.
changed
National Academies academies of Science, Engineering, sciences, engineering, and Medicine review—medicine evaluation— The interagency working group under section 101 Administrator shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to review the plan.plan every 5 years.
changed
Public participation— In developing the plan, the interagency working group shall consult with representatives of stakeholder groups, which may include academic, State, industry, local, Tribal, and other stakeholder groups. labor organizations. Not later than 90 days before the plan, or any revision thereof, is submitted to Congress, the plan shall be published in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not fewer less than 60 days.
Sec. 103 Counter-UAS research plan
changed
In general— Not later than two years 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the interagency working group shall develop and periodically update, as appropriate, a strategic plan for Federal research, development, evaluation, and testing of counter-UAS systems and detection systems, as consistent with current counter-UAS systems legal authorities.
Contents of the plan— The plan shall—
changed
determine and prioritize areas of counter-UAS systems and detection systems research, development, evaluation, and testing requiring Federal Government leadership and investment;
establish, for the 10-year period beginning in the year the plan is submitted, the goals and priorities for Federal research, development, evaluation, and testing which will—
changed
support the development of counter-UAS technologies systems and detection systems and the development of a counter-UAS systems research, innovation, and manufacturing ecosystem;
changed
provide sustained, consistent, and coordinated support for counter-UAS systems research, development, and evaluation, and testing, including through grants, cooperative agreements, testbeds, and testing facilities;
changed
support education and training activities to prepare the United States workforce to use and interact with counter-UAS systems and detection systems;
changed
support partnerships to leverage knowledge and resources from industry, the Federal Government, State, local, Tribal, and Tribal Federal governments, National Laboratories, Counter-UAS Test Ranges, academic institutions, and others to advance research activities;activities; and
changed
leverage existing Federal investments; andinvestments;
removed
promote hardware inoperability, open-source systems, and standards-driven hardware;
changed
support research and other activities on the impacts of counter-UAS systems;systems and detection systems; and
removed
in consultation with the Council of Economic Advisers, measure and track the contributions of counter-UAS systems to United States economic growth and other societal indicators; and
renumbered
was (3)(7)
identify relevant programs and make recommendations for the coordination of relevant activities of the Federal agencies and set forth the role of each Federal agency in implementing the plan.
Sec. 104 National drone technology center
changed
Establishment— Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary of Commerce, in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate, may establish a national drone technology center to conduct research and development of unmanned aircraft systems to strengthen the economic competitiveness and security of the domestic supply chain. Such center shall be operated as a public-private sector consortium with participation from the private sector sector, which may include employers and labor organizations, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
changed
Functions— The functions of the center established under subsection (a) shall be to conduct research and development related to unmanned aircraft systems manufacturing, design and components, and prototyping that strengthens the entire domestic ecosystem and places incorporates the upstream participation of workers, which may include partnership with labor organizations. The center shall place emphasis on the following:
Unmanned aircraft systems advanced testing and assembly capability in the domestic ecosystem.
Materials characterization, instrumentation and testing for unmanned aircraft systems.
Virtualization and automation of maintenance of unmanned aircraft systems machinery.
Metrology for security and supply chain verification.
added
strategies for domestic transportation and supply chain job creation, skills development, and workforce training for high-quality jobs.
Sec. 105 GAO study on foreign drones
changed
Study— The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the use of foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems in the Federal Government unmanned aircraft fleet.
Elements— The study under subsection (a) shall include an assessment of the following:
changed
The size of the Federal unmanned aircraft fleet and the extent to which any unmanned aircraft systems and components have been procured from a covered foreign entity on the list maintained in Supplement No. 4 to part 744 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations.
changed
The operation of such these systems across the Federal Government.
Policies and practices governing the procurement of unmanned aircraft systems from covered foreign entities.
The availability of unmanned aircraft systems from any domestic sources for government use.
changed
The risks associated with use of such these systems by the Federal Government, including relating to physical safety, privacy, and cybersecurity.
changed
GAO Gao report— Not later than one 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall report to Congress all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under subsection (a).
Sec. 201 National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Research Institutes
changed
In general— The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall may establish a program to award financial assistance for the planning, establishment, and support of a network of Institutes (as described in subsection (b)(2)) in accordance with this section.
changed
Financial assistance To to establish and support national drone and advanced air mobility research institutes—
changed
In general— The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and any other agency head may award financial assistance assistance, to an eligible entity, or consortia thereof, as determined by an agency head, to establish and support an Institute.one or more Institutes.
changed
Drone and advanced air mobility institutes— An Institute described in this subsection is an unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility research institute that—
may focus on—
changed
a particular economic or social sector, including education, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, security, energy, environment, and public safety, and includes a component that addresses the ethical, societal, safety, workforce, and security implications relevant to the application of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems in that sector; or
changed
a cross-cutting challenge for research, development, testing, manufacturing, or use of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems;
changed
requires partnership among public and private organizations, including, as appropriate, Federal agencies, academic institutions, nonprofit research organizations, Federal laboratories, State, local, and Tribal governments, industry, labor organizations, and others (or consortia thereof);
has the potential to create an innovation ecosystem, or enhance existing ecosystems, to translate Institute research into applications and products, as appropriate to the topic of each Institute;
supports and coordinates interdisciplinary research and development across multiple institutions and organizations involved in unmanned aircraft systems research and related disciplines, which may include physics, engineering, mathematical sciences, computer and information science, robotics, material science, cybersecurity, and technology ethics;
supports interdisciplinary education activities at all levels, including curriculum development, research experiences, and faculty professional development across two-year, undergraduates, masters, and doctoral level programs;
changed
establishes a robust data management strategy that ensures digital access and machine-readability; that promotes findability, interoperability, analysis- and decision-readiness and reusability; and ensures applicable scientific data are managed for wide use by the Federal Government, Federal, State, local, Tribal, and Tribal local governments, academia, and the public;
applies lessons learned from unmanned aircraft systems research, development, demonstration, and testing to advanced air mobility systems; and
changed
supports high quality workforce development in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems related disciplines in the United States, including broadening increasing the participation of groups historically underrepresented communities.in STEM, among other goals.
Use of funds— Financial assistance awarded under paragraph (1) may be used by an Institute for—
changed
managing and making available to researchers accessible, curated, standardized, secure, and privacy protected data sets from the public and private sectors for the purposes of training and testing advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems, systems and for research and development using advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems;
developing and managing testbeds, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Ranges, for advanced air mobility or unmanned aircraft systems, including sector-specific test beds, designed to enable users to evaluate advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems prior to deployment;
conducting research and education activities involving advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems to solve challenges with economic, scientific, and national security implications;
conducting research and development on advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems platform development and innovation;
providing or brokering access to computing resources, networking, and data facilities for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems research and development relevant to the Institute’s research goals;
providing technical assistance to users, including software engineering support, for advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems research and development relevant to the Institute’s research goals;
supporting the purchase of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems software;
changed
engaging in outreach and engagement to broaden participation by groups historically underrepresented in STEM in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems research, development and workforce;workforce, including through partnership with labor organizations and other entities;
supporting artificial intelligence and machine learning research related to advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems; and
such other activities that an agency head whose agency’s missions contribute to or are affected by advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems determines is appropriate to fulfill the agency’s missions.
Duration—
changed
Initial periods— An award of financial assistance under paragraph (1) shall be for an initial period of up to five 5 years, subject to Office of Management and Budget uniform guidance for Federal assistance.
changed
Extension— An established Institute may apply for, and the agency head may grant, extended funding for periods of up to five 5 years on a merit-reviewed basis using the merit review criteria of the sponsoring agency, subject to Office of Management and Budget uniform guidance for Federal assistance.
Application for financial assistance—
changed
In general— An entity A person or group of persons seeking financial assistance under paragraph (1) shall submit to an agency head an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the agency head may require.
Requirements— An application submitted under subparagraph (A) for an Institute shall, at a minimum, include the following:
changed
A plan for the Institute, including—Institute to include—
the proposed goals and activities of the Institute;
changed
a description of how the Institute will form partnerships partnerships, as appropriate, with other research institutions, industry, labor organizations, nonprofits, academic institutions, and others to leverage expertise in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems and access to data;
changed
a description of how the institute will support long-term and short-term education and workforce development in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems, including broadening how the institute will broaden the participation of groups historically underrepresented communities; in STEM, among other goals; and
a description of how the Institute will transition from planning into operations.
A description of the anticipated sources and nature of any non-Federal contributions or other Federal agency funding.
A data management plan that addresses the collection, use, retention, protection, dissemination, and management of data collected, consistent with the purposes of this Act.
A description of the anticipated long-term impact of such Institute.
Competitive merit review— In awarding financial assistance under paragraph (1), the agency shall—
use a competitive merit review process that includes peer review by a diverse group of individuals with relevant expertise from both the private and public sectors; and
ensure the focus areas of the Institute do not substantially duplicate the efforts of any other Institute.
Collaboration—
changed
In general— In awarding financial assistance under paragraph (1), an agency head may collaborate with Federal departments and agencies the whose missions of which contribute to or are affected by advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems.systems, including the agencies outlined in section 103(c).
changed
Nonduplication— In carrying out the program under this section, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall coordinate with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies to avoid duplication of research and other activities to ensure that the activities carried out by Institutes are complementary to those being undertaken by other agencies.
changed
Coordinating network— The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall may establish a network of Institutes receiving financial assistance under this subsection, to be known as the “Drone Leadership Network”, to coordinate cross-cutting research and other activities carried out by the Institutes.
changed
Funding— The head of an agency may request, accept, request and accept funds from, and provide funds from to, other Federal departments and agencies, State, United States territory, local, or Tribal government agencies, private sector for-profit entities, and nonprofit entities, to be available to the extent provided by appropriations Acts, to support an Institute’s activities. The head of an agency may not give any special consideration to any agency or entity in return for a donation.
changed
Authorization of appropriations— There is authorized to be appropriated to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration $5,000,000 for in each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to carry out the activities authorized in section 201(a).
Sec. 301 National Institute of Standards and Technology activities
changed
In general— The Director of Director, consistent with the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall—research plan in section 102—
changed
shall support measurement science research and development in support of best practices and voluntary consensus technical standards for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems, including for—
privacy, security, and cybersecurity of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems;
safety and operational performance of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems;
hardware and components designed for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems;
data management and techniques to increase the usability of data for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems;
supply chain risks for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems; and
all other areas deemed by the Director to be critical to the development and deployment of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems;
changed
may support one or more Institutes as described in section 201(a) of this Act for the purpose of advancing advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems;
changed
may produce curated, standardized, representative, secure, and privacy-protected privacy protected data sets for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems research, development, and use, prioritizing data for high-value, high-risk research;
changed
shall support and strategically engage in the development of voluntary consensus technical standards, including international standards, through open, transparent, and consensus-based processes;
changed
enter into and perform such contracts, including cooperative research and development arrangements and grants and cooperative agreements or other transactions, as may be necessary in the conduct of the work of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall apply lessons learned from unmanned aircraft systems research, development, demonstration, and on such terms as the Director considers appropriate, in furtherance of the purposes of this Act;testing to advanced air mobility systems; and
changed
applies lessons learned from unmanned aircraft systems research, development, demonstration, shall coordinate the development of voluntary and testing to advanced air mobility systems; andconsensus technical standards and best practices with other Federal agencies as appropriate.
removed
coordinate the development of voluntary and consensus technical standards and best practices with other Federal agencies as appropriate.
changed
Solicitation of input— In carrying out the activities under subsection (a), this section, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall—
changed
solicit input from university researchers, private sector experts, relevant Federal agencies, Federal laboratories, State, local, and Tribal governments, civil society groups, labor organizations, and other relevant stakeholders; and
provide opportunity for public comment on guidelines and best practices, as appropriate.
Drone research challenges—
changed
Prize competition— Pursuant to section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719), the Director of shall, subject to the National Institute availability of Standards and Technology shall carry appropriations, continue carrying out a program to award prizes competitively to stimulate research and development of innovative advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems technologies in order to expand upon and improve emergency response operations.
changed
Plan for emergency response operations—Prize amount— Each prize competition entry submitted pursuant to In carrying out the program under paragraph (1) shall include (1), the Director may award not more than a plan for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems implementation in emergency response operations.total of $2,250,000 to one or more winners of the prize competition.
changed
Prize amount—Report— In carrying out Not later than 60 days after the program date on which a prize is awarded under paragraph (1), the prize competition, the Director of shall submit to the National Institute relevant committees of Standards and Technology may award not more than Congress a total of $2,250,000 to one or more winners report that describes the winning entry of the prize competition.
changed
Report—Consultation— Not later than 60 days after In carrying out the date on which a prize is awarded program under the prize competition, subsection (a), the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of may consult with the House heads of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, relevant departments and Transportation of the Senate a report that describes the winning entry agencies of the prize competition.Federal Government.
removed
Consultation— In carrying out the program under paragraph (1), the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology may consult with the heads of relevant departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out this section—
$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
$21,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
$22,050,000 for fiscal year 2026;
$23,152,500 for fiscal year 2027; and
$24,310,125 for fiscal year 2028.
Sec. 302 National Institute of Standards and Technology manufacturing activities
changed
Establishment of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems pilot program as a part of the manufacturing extension partnership—Purpose— The National Institute purpose of Standards and Technology Act this section is amended to secure the United States international leadership in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems by inserting after section 25B (15 U.S.C. 278k–2) strengthening its industrial base through the following new section:bolstering of domestic supply chains and the development and adoption of innovative manufacturing processes.
added
Leveraging expansion awards for critical technologies— Section 25B of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k–2) is amended—
removed
“25C. Expansion awards for unmanned aircraft systems pilot program
removed
“(a) Definitions—The terms used in this section have the meanings given the terms in section 25.
removed
“(b) Establishment—The Director shall establish as a part of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership a pilot program of expansion awards among participants referred to in subsection (c) for the purposes described in subsection (e).
removed
“(c) Participants—Participants receiving awards under this section shall be Centers, or a consortium of Centers.
removed
“(d) Award amounts—An award for a recipient under this section shall be in an amount equal to the sum of the following:
removed
“(1) Such amount as the Director considers appropriate as a minimum base funding level for each award under this section.
removed
“(2) Such additional amount as the Director considers in proportion to the manufacturing density of the region of the recipient.
removed
“(3) Such supplemental amounts as the Director considers appropriate.
removed
“(e) Purpose of awards—An award under this section shall be made for one or more of the following purposes:
removed
“(1) To provide coordinating services on—
removed
“(A) the development of working concepts for new advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems products, including review and design analysis;
removed
“(B) the review and optimization of current advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems designs and components, including industrial engineering and manufacturing design upgrades;
removed
“(C) rapid advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems prototyping services, including three-dimensional modeling;
removed
“(D) software development for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems application;
removed
“(E) commercialization of new products and technology to improve performance of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems; and
removed
“(F) supporting existing advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems and components manufacturing operations and the development of unmanned aircraft systems and components manufacturing operations.
removed
“(2) To provide services to improve the resiliency of domestic advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system supply chains.
removed
“(3) To expand advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems technology services to small and medium-sized manufacturers and software developers, which may include—
removed
“(A) facilitating the adoption of technologies, including smart manufacturing technologies and practices; and
removed
“(B) establishing partnerships, for the development, demonstration, and deployment of unmanned aircraft systems technologies, with—
removed
“(i) National Laboratories (as defined in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801));
removed
“(ii) Federal laboratories;
removed
“(iii) Manufacturing USA institutes;
removed
“(iv) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Industry; and
removed
“(v) institutions of higher education.
removed
“(f) Applications—Applications for awards under this section shall be submitted in such manner, at such time, and containing such information as the Director shall require in consultation with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board.
removed
“(g) Selection
removed
“(1) Reviewed and merit-based—The Director shall ensure that awards under this section are reviewed and merit-based.
removed
“(2) Geographic diversity—The Director shall endeavor to have broad geographic diversity among selected proposals.
removed
“(3) Criteria—The Director shall select applications consistent with the purposes identified pursuant to subsection (e) to receive awards the Director determines will achieve one or more of the following:
removed
“(A) Improvement of the competitiveness of domestic advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems industries in the region in which the Center or Centers are located.
removed
“(B) Creation of jobs or training of newly hired employees.
removed
“(C) Promotion of the transfer and commercialization of research and technology from institutions of higher education, national laboratories, or other federally funded research programs, and nonprofit research institutes.
removed
“(D) Any other result the Director determines will advance the objective set forth in section 25(c) or 26.
removed
“(h) Global marketplace projects—In making an award under this section, the Director, in consultation with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board and the Secretary, may take into consideration whether an application has significant potential for enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized United States manufacturers in the global marketplace for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems technologies.
removed
“(i) Duration—The Director shall ensure that the duration of an award under this section is aligned and consistent with a Center’s cooperative agreement established in section 25(e).
removed
“(j) Report—After the completion of the pilot program under subsection (b) and not later than October 1, 2025, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that includes—
removed
“(1) a summary description of what activities were funded and the measurable outcomes of such activities;
removed
“(2) a description of which types of activities under paragraph (1) could be integrated into, and supported under, the program under section 25;
removed
“(3) a description of which types of activities under paragraph (1) could be integrated into, and supported under, the competitive awards program under section 25A; and
removed
“(4) a recommendation, supported by a clear explanation, as to whether the pilot program should be continued.
removed
“(k) Authorization of appropriations—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the pilot program under this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026.”
removed
Manufacturing extension partnership survey—
removed
Survey— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall carry out a survey of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Centers (referred to in this section as the “Centers”) to understand the manufacturing capabilities of the United States manufacturers to support robust advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems industries in the United States.
changed
Contents— In conducting the survey required under in subsection (a), the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall solicit feedback regarding (e), by inserting the following:following after paragraph (5):
added “(6) to support the domestic manufacturing of critical and emerging technologies and reduce the supply chain risk of these technologies;”
added
by inserting the following after subsection (e) and redesignating accordingly:
added “(f) Topic selection—The Director may select topics for awards made under paragraph (e)(6) in accordance with the following:
added “(1) The Director shall select unmanned aircraft systems as an initial topic for the pilot program.
added “(2) The Director may select additional topics that the Director determines are—
added “(A) rapidly evolving; and
added “(B) of high importance to the economy and security of the United States.”
added
Manufacturing extension partnership survey—
added
Survey— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall carry out a survey of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Centers (referred to in this section as the “Centers”) to understand the manufacturing capabilities of the United States manufacturers to support robust advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems industries and create high quality jobs in the United States.
added
Contents— In conducting the survey required under subsection (a), the Director shall solicit feedback on the following:
renumbered
was (3)(3)(3)
Familiarity and current manufacturing work by small and mid-sized manufacturers on advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems, including components, software, sensors, or other technology associated with advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems.
renumbered
was (3)(3)(4)
A list of the basic manufacturing procedures that can be easily converted to conduct the manufacturing of advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems projects.
renumbered
was (3)(3)(5)
Potential for small-and mid-sized manufacturing to work with industry and academia to support the manufacturers of advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems prototypes.
renumbered
was (3)(3)(6)
Potential for commercialization of ongoing manufacturing development research related to advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems projects.
added
A description of supply chain and technological challenges that small and mid-sized manufacturers face in building up advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems capacity, and the prevalence of these challenges.
removed
A description of supply chain and technological challenges that small and mid-sized manufacturers face in building up advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems capacity, and the prevalence of such challenges.
removed
Regulatory and legal barriers faced by small and mid-sized manufacturers and developers.
renumbered
was (3)(3)(9)
Any challenges that small and mid-sized manufacturers experience in recruiting skilled workers familiar with advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems manufacturing.
added
Any other information that the Director or the Board determine is appropriate.
removed
Any other information that the Director or the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board determine is appropriate.
removed
Report— Not later than 60 days after completing the survey required under paragraph (1), the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, in consultation with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board, shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report summarizing the results of the survey.
removed
Manufacturing uSA program— The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, acting through the Manufacturing USA Program, shall prioritize research, development, and demonstration activities to enhance and grow the domestic manufacturing capacity of advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems and components. Such activities may include—
removed
rapid-prototyping and reproduction of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems structures;
changed
Supply chain database— additive manufacturing to improve capabilities to produce large tools, dies, and molds for advanced air mobility systems The Director shall carry out this survey in accordance with requirements under section 10253 of the Research and unmanned aircraft systems Development, Competition, and components;Innovation Act (enacted as division B of Public Law 117–167; 42 U.S.C. 18961).
changed
Report— testing innovative manufacturing processes and manufactured components Not later than 60 days after completing the survey required under subsection (a), the Director, in consultation with the Board, shall provide a report summarizing the results of the survey to improve safety, endurance, the Committee on Science, Space, and quality Technology of advanced air mobility systems the House of Representatives and unmanned aircraft systems;the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
added
Manufacturing usa program update— Subparagraph (B) of section 34(d)(1) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278s(d)(1)) is amended by inserting “, including unmanned aircraft systems” after “aeronautics and advanced materials”.
added
Definition— In this title, the term “Director” means the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
removed
development of software to streamline fabrication and integration of manufacturing components, such as sensors for use in advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems; and
removed
any other activities that the Director considers appropriate.
Sec. 401 National Science Foundation activities
changed
In general— The Director of Consistent with the National Science Foundation research plan in section 102, the Director shall support research and STEM education and related activities in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems, components, and related technologies, including competitive awards or grants to institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit organizations (or consortia thereof).
changed
Use of funds— In carrying out the activities under subsection (a), the Director of the National Science Foundation shall—Director—
changed
shall support fundamental research on the underlying technologies for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems, components, and related technologies, which may include—
improving the safety and reliability of operation systems;
changed
developing and improving autonomous control systems, including real-time control and autonomous decisionmaking;decision-making;
incorporating the use of artificial intelligence into systems;
improving or developing materials for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems;
understanding safety and sustainability of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems as a part of a transportation system, including the impacts of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems on ground transportation;
developing and improving communications systems, including multivehicle coordination and task and path planning; and
understanding the human-drone interface;
changed
shall support research and development of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system enabled uses, which may include—
creating new sensing tools to improve understanding, prediction, and detection of severe weather and natural hazards, including wildfires;
enabling advanced air mobility;
monitoring and surveying infrastructure;
disaster reconnaissance, including the collection of data to model and simulate disasters and assist responders; and
improving the reliable use of advanced sensing systems in rural and agricultural settings;
changed
shall support research on data modeling and validation of the use of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems;
changed
shall support research and development on security, including the cybersecurity, of advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aerial aircraft systems;
changed
shall support research on the ethical use of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems, including protection of individual privacy;
changed
shall support middle school and high school level STEM education research on workforce impacts and related activities related to opportunities associated with advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems and related technologies, which may include—systems;
added
shall support age-appropriate middle school and high school level STEM education research and related activities related to advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems and related technologies, which may include—
added
supporting curriculum development relating to advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system applications, including developing place-based learning curriculum, particularly for students in poor, rural, and Tribal communities;
added
utilizing advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems technologies to advance the engagement of students, including students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM, in STEM through providing before school, after-school, out-of-school, or summer activities;
added
developing professional development resources for STEM educators in utilizing advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems technologies and applications in their curriculum and in formal and informal education settings, including through distance-delivered courses;
removed
supporting curriculum development relating to advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system applications, including developing place-based learning curriculum, particularly for students in poor, rural, or Tribal communities;
removed
utilizing advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems technologies to advance the engagement of students, including students in poor, rural, or Tribal communities, in STEM through providing before school, after-school, out-of-school, or summer activities;
removed
developing professional development resources for STEM educators in utilizing advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems technologies and applications in their curriculum and classrooms, including through distance-delivered courses;
renumbered
was (3)(8)(5)
connecting relevant STEM curriculum to the design, construction and demonstration of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems; and
renumbered
was (3)(8)(6)
designing advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system related activities designed to help students make real-world connections to STEM content and educate students on the relevance and significance of STEM careers;
added
shall support undergraduate and graduate education and workforce development research and related activities related to advanced air mobility, unmanned aircraft systems, and related technologies, which may include—
removed
support undergraduate and graduate education and workforce development research and related activities related to advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems and related technologies, which may include—
renumbered
was (3)(9)(2)
supporting curriculum development relating to advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems applications and technologies;
renumbered
was (3)(9)(3)
supporting hands-on research opportunities at institutions of higher education, research institutions, including National Labs, and industry for undergraduate and graduate students relating to advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems applications and technologies;
added
facilitating participation in collegiate level advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems robotic competitions; and
removed
facilitating participation in collegiate level advanced air mobility and unmanned systems robotic competitions; and
renumbered
was (3)(9)(5)
ensuring that students pursuing master’s degrees and doctoral degrees in fields relating to advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems are considered as applicants for scholarships and graduate fellowships under the Graduate Research Fellowship Program under section 10 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1869);
added
shall support activities to develop a skilled technical workforce for supporting and operating advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems, which may include supporting national centers focused on educating and training the skilled technical workforce in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system applications and technologies through the Advanced Scientific and Technical Education Program as authorized by the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i), including by—
removed
support activities to develop a skilled technical workforce for supporting and operating advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems, which may include establishing national centers focused on educating and training the skilled technical workforce in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system applications and technologies through the Advanced Scientific and Technical Education Program as authorized by the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i), including by—
renumbered
was (3)(10)(2)
expanding educational resources to address current workforce demands in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system applications and technologies;
renumbered
was (3)(10)(3)
developing curriculum for community and technical colleges to train and upskill the skilled technical workforce in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system applications and technologies;
added
engaging the skilled technical workforce community in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system applications and technologies; and
added
in partnership and consultation with industry and labor organizations, employing activities to increase the visibility and utility of careers in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft applications and technologies;
removed
engaging the skilled technical workforce community in STEM, advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system applications and technologies; and
removed
in partnership with industry, employing activities to increase the visibility and utility of careers in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft applications and technologies;
removed
engage veterans and departing members of the Armed Forces in activities specified in paragraphs (7) and (8);
changed
support one or more Institutes as described in section 201(a) for the purpose shall engage veterans and departing members of advancing the field of advanced air mobility Armed Services in activities mentioned in paragraphs (7) and unmanned aircraft systems;(8);
changed
may support prize competitions pursuant to one or more Institutes as described in section 24 201(a) for the purpose of advancing the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act field of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719);advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems;
changed
establish a robust data management strategy that ensures digital access and machine-readability; that promotes findability, interoperability, analysis- and decision-readiness and reusability; and ensures applicable scientific data are managed for wide use by the Federal Government, State, local and Tribal governments, academia, and may support prize competitions pursuant to section 24 of the public;Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719);
changed
applies lessons learned from unmanned aircraft systems research, development, demonstration, and testing shall ensure all activities under this section are subject to advanced air mobility systems; andthe data management policies of the Foundation;
changed
any other activities the Director determines necessary shall apply lessons learned from unmanned aircraft systems research, development, demonstration, and testing to meet the goals specified in subsection (a).advanced air mobility systems; and
added
may conduct any other activities the Director finds necessary to meet the goals laid out in subsection (a).
changed
Public-Private Public-private partnerships— As part of the activities under subsection (a), the Director of the National Science Foundation shall support public-private partnerships to support domestic development of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems in the United States and address pre-competitive industry challenges.
removed
Interagency coordination— In carrying out the program under this section, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall coordinate with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies to avoid duplication of research and other activities to ensure that the activities carried out under this section are complementary to those being undertaken by such other agencies.
renumbered
was (6)
Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this section—
renumbered
was (6)(3)
$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
renumbered
was (6)(4)
$52,500,000 for fiscal year 2025;
renumbered
was (6)(5)
$55,125,000 for fiscal year 2026;
renumbered
was (6)(6)
$57,881,775 for fiscal year 2027; and
renumbered
was (6)(7)
$60,775,863 for fiscal year 2028.
added
Definition— In this title, the term “Director” means the Director of the National Science Foundation.
Sec. 501 National Aeronautics and Space Administration activities
changed
In general— The Administrator of Consistent with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, research plan in section 102, the Administrator, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and other relevant Federal agencies, shall direct shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, carry out research and technological development to facilitate the safe integration of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems into the National Airspace System, including—System. Research topics may include—
removed
positioning and navigation systems;
renumbered
was (2)(4)
sense and avoid capabilities;
added
the transition of unmanned aircraft system traffic management into operational use in the National Airspace System;
changed
secure data safety related to autonomy, autonomous unmanned aircraft systems, and communication links;remotely-piloted unmanned aircraft systems;
removed
flight recovery systems;
renumbered
was (2)(7)
human systems integration; and
renumbered
was (2)(8)
hazardous weather condition avoidance.
changed
Cooperative unmanned aircraft system activities— Section 31504 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding inserting at the end the following new sentence: following: “Operational flight data derived from these cooperative agreements shall be made available, in appropriate and usable formats, to the Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration for the development of regulatory standards.”.
changed
Policy—Considerations— The Administrator of In carrying out the National Aeronautics research and Space Administration development under subsection (a), the Administrator shall work continue to coordinate and partner with industry, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, industry, academia, and academia labor organizations to mature and help operationalize advanced air mobility and implement unmanned aircraft system traffic management related concepts, architecture, architectures, services, and strategic as well as tactical deconfliction to ensure advance the safe integration of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems in airspace in presence of other aircraft. As part of such activities, drones into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Airspace System. As an interim step, the Administrator shall consider leverage commercial and public good use cases, unmanned aircraft system applications, such as wildfire and disaster monitoring and mitigation, with a primary focus to demonstrate and help validate concepts, architectures, and other measures toward the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the National Airspace System. In addition, the Administrator shall carry out research and development on protocols for enabling the safe integration of many simultaneous drone operations beyond visual line of sight.
changed
Lessons learned— The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall apply lessons learned from unmanned aircraft systems research, development, demonstration, and testing to advanced air mobility systems.
changed
Coordination— The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall coordinate with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Director of the National Institutes of Standards and Technology, State, local and Tribal governments, and industry contribute to, as appropriate, efforts to inform the development of voluntary consensus-based technical standards, as led by standards development organizations, to facilitate the incorporation of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems into the National Airspace System and decrease the need for regulations.shall coordinate with other relevant government agencies and nongovernmental entities, including industry and labor organizations, in its contributions to standards development activities.
changed
Assessment— The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall coordinate with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct an assessment to identify metrics metrics, estimated milestone dates, and performance measures necessary to safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility systems into the National Airspace System.
changed
Report— Not later than 60 120 days after the completion of the assessment under in subsection (f), the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall submit a report on the progress towards meeting the metrics, milestone dates, and performance measures to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the progress toward meeting metric and performance measures referred to in such subsection.Senate.
Sec. 502 National student unmanned aircraft systems competition program
changed
In general— The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall establish lead a national pilot program to carry out unmanned aircraft systems technology competitions for students at the high school and undergraduate level (in this section referred to as “competitions”) in which students shall compete to design, create, and demonstrate an unmanned aircraft system.
changed
Competition administration— The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall select, award, on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis, a grant to a nonprofit organization, an institution of higher education education, or a consortium thereof, to administer the competitions pilot program (in this section referred to as the “competition administrator”).
changed
Considerations for selecting competition administrator—Award criteria— In selecting an institution of higher education to administer the competition, the The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall consider ensure that the institution of higher education’s prior experience in—award decision made under subsection (b) take into account the extent to which the eligible entity—
changed
administering such competitions;identifies a plan for engaging eligible institutions from diverse geographic areas, including poor, rural, and Tribal communities; and
changed
administering national identifies a plan for connecting STEM engagement programs;activities to Administration missions and centers.
removed
engaging eligible institutions from diverse geographic areas, including poor, rural, and Tribal communities; and
removed
connecting STEM activities to Administration missions and centers.
changed
Competition administrator responsibilities— The In carrying out the pilot program, the competition administrator shall be responsible for—
changed
awarding grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations (or a consortium of such institutions or organizations) organization) on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis to host individual competitions;
developing STEM curriculum to be utilized by the competition awardees to help students make the connection to the design, construction, and demonstration of the unmanned aircraft systems;
developing curriculum to assist students in making real-world connections to STEM content and educate students on the relevance and significance of STEM careers;
ensuring awardees are supporting the activities laid out in subsection (f);
conducting performance evaluations of competitions, including data collection on—
the number of students engaged;
geographic and institutional diversity of participating schools and institutions of higher education; and
any other activities the Administrator finds necessary to ensure the competitions are successful.
changed
Additional considerations— In awarding grants authorized in subsection (d), the competition administrator shall give priority to consider applications that include a partnership with that State’s space grant program under chapter 403 of title 51, United States Code.
changed
Permitted activities— In carrying out the competitions authorized pilot program in subsection (a), the competition administrator shall ensure competitions occurring at both the high school and undergraduate levels—
allow students to design, construct, and demonstrate an unmanned aircraft system;
allow students to compete with other teams in the performance of the constructed unmanned aircraft system;
connect to relevant missions and Center activities of the Administration;
connect relevant STEM curriculum to the design, construction, and demonstration of unmanned aircraft systems;
changed
support activities designed to help students make real-world connections to STEM content and educate students on the relevance and significance of STEM careers; andcareers;
changed
are geographically dispersed in order to serve a broad student population, including those in rural and underserved communities.communities; and
added
encourage, to the greatest extent practicable, the participation of students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM.
changed
Authorization of appropriations—Report to congress— There is authorized to be appropriated to No later than 6 months following the end of the pilot program, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the National Aeronautics Senate, a report describing the accomplishments, lessons learned, any challenges in the implementation of the pilot program, and Space Administration $6,000,000 recommendations for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 whether to carry out this section. Of continue the funds authorized for each such fiscal year—pilot program.
added
Authorization of appropriations— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $6,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to carry out the pilot program in this section. Of the funds authorized—
added
$1,000,000 per year shall be for the pilot program competition administrator in subsection (b); and
added
$5,000,000 per year shall be awarded for grants to carry out competitions under the pilot program in subsection (d).
added
Definitions— In this title:
added
Administration— The term “Administration” means the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
added
Administrator— The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
removed
$1,000,000 shall be for the competition administrator as authorized in subsection (b); and
removed
$5,000,000 shall be awarded for grants to carry out competitions as authorized by subsection (d).
Sec. 601 Department of Energy research activities
changed
In general— The Consistent with the research plan in section 102, the Secretary of Energy shall carry out a cross-cutting research, development, and demonstration program activities to advance unmanned aircraft system technologies, capabilities, and workforce needs and to improve the reliability of the use of unmanned aircraft systems implementation methods in ways relevant to the mission of the Department of Energy. Department. In carrying out such program, these activities, the Secretary shall coordinate across all relevant offices and activities at the Department, including the Office of Science, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Office of Nuclear Energy, the Office of Fossil Energy, the Office of Electricity, the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy, Agency—Energy, the Office of Environmental Management, the Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Artificial Intelligence Technology Office, the UAS Research and Engineering Center, and any other relevant office or activity as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
changed
Program components—Research activities— In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall—Secretary—
changed
shall formulate goals for unmanned aircraft systems research activities to be supported by the Department of Energy, Department, including in the research areas under subsection section (c);
changed
shall leverage the collective body of knowledge from existing unmanned aircraft systems research and development activities, including the work underway by the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research and Engineering Center;
changed
shall provide research experiences and training for undergraduate and graduate students in unmanned aircraft systems research and development, including in the fields of—
artificial intelligence and machine learning;
applied mathematics and algorithm development;
advanced imaging, sensing, and detection technologies;
materials science and engineering; and
advanced energy technologies and propulsion approaches;
changed
establish a robust shall ensure all activities under this section are subject to the data management strategy that—policies of the Department; and
removed
ensures digital access and machine-readability;
removed
promotes findability, interoperability, analysis- and decision-readiness and reusability; and
removed
ensures applicable scientific data are managed for wide use by the Federal Government, State, local, and Tribal governments, academia, and the public; and
changed
may support one or more Institutes as described in section 201(a) of this Act for the purpose of advancing the fields of unmanned aircraft systems and the mission of the Department.
changed
Research areas— In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall award financial assistance to eligible entities to carry out research, development, and demonstration projects over a range of subject areas including—
changed
fundamental science science, applied science, and advanced technology areas, which may include—
changed
advanced sensor technologies and innovative sensor materials, devices, and processes, including—
optical capabilities, including Light Detection and Ranging, hyperspectral, thermographic, and visible imaging capabilities;
nonoptical electromagnetic capabilities, including radar and radiofrequency capabilities;
changed
acoustic capabilities, including ultrasonic capabilities; andand infrasonic capabilities;
added
micro and nano technology;
added
collection, processing, and storage of uniquely identifiable signatures; and
renumbered
was (4)(3)(2)(5)
radiation detection, gravimetric, hyperspectral or other measurement modalities;
advanced technologies and methods for remote handling, precision positioning, and navigation control;
advanced technologies for secure autonomous operation, including edge computing and artificial intelligence;
power electronics and wireless charging systems;
changed
novel materials, including lightweight materials and radiation-resistant materials;materials with robust performance under extreme conditions;
scalability of unmanned aircraft systems for increased payload capacity;
changed
technologies and processes to improve secure interoperability practices, including with existing satellites, constellation networks, industrial control systems, and surface-based facilities;
strategies and technologies for integrated cybersecurity considerations;
changed
strategies and technologies for improved endurance, including lightweight long duration fuels, batteries, and fuel cells;cells, and other storage systems;
changed
open architectures and advanced algorithms to enable multi-sensor fusion and tracking of unmanned aircraft systems; andsystems;
changed
swarm and cooperative drone data collection and operation, and integration of drone control systems with dynamic sampling and real-time digital twin simulations; andsimulations;
added
approaches to allow for use of advanced artificial intelligence and advanced computation for improved aircraft structural and aerodynamic design;
added
relevant microelectronics technologies, including novel devices, systems, and architectures; and
added
strategies and technologies for energy efficient manufacturing of specialized components;
approaches for leveraging unmanned aircraft systems for diverse applications, which may include—
changed
advanced assessment, characterization, mapping, and recovery of energy resources, such as geothermal energy, biofuels, bioenergy feedstock resources, and critical minerals resources;
changed
real time asset management, infrastructure inspection, monitoring, fault prediction and detection, and field testing and monitoring of electric grid and energy infrastructure systems, such as onshore and offshore wind energy, fossil energy, solar energy, marine energy, nuclear energy, and hydropower systems;
changed
damage assessment of the electric grid and energy infrastructure following cyberattacks and other human-caused destruction and other physical events such as wildland fires, including prescribed burns containment and emissions measurements, potential health and safety effects from contaminant releases and dispersals, and real-time analysis of impacted assets;
changed
leak detection of greenhouse gases related to resource extraction and energy production, production and delivery, including methane leak detection;
agriculture and aquaculture applications;
changed
integrated data collection to inform and enhance Department of Energy modeling capabilities, including the development of climate and earth systems models;models and computational tools;
assistance in environmental management and cleanup activities;
assistance in Department infrastructure management at National Laboratories and other relevant Department sites;
changed
intrusion detection and facility monitoring for physical security applications; andapplications;
changed
asset extraction data collection of building envelope features and characteristics for rapid energy modeling purposes.purposes; and
added
improving efficiency of manufacturing processes.
changed
Technology transfer— In carrying out the program under subsection (a), and in coordination with the Office of Technology Transitions, the Secretary of Energy shall support technology transfer of unmanned aircraft systems research by partnering with industry.research.
changed
Facility use— In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall may make available high-performance computing infrastructure and other relevant research facilities and test beds at the National Laboratories.
changed
Interagency coordination and nonduplication—Authorization of appropriations— In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall coordinate with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies There are authorized to avoid duplication of research and other activities and be appropriated to ensure that the activities carried out under such program are complementary Department to those currently being undertaken by such other departments and agencies.carry out this section—
removed
Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Energy to carry out this section—
renumbered
was (8)(3)
$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
renumbered
was (8)(4)
$52,500,000 for fiscal year 2025;
renumbered
was (8)(5)
$55,125,000 for fiscal year 2026;
renumbered
was (8)(6)
$57,881,775 for fiscal year 2027; and
renumbered
was (8)(7)
$60,775,863 for fiscal year 2028.
added
Definitions— In this title:
added
Department— The term “Department” means the Department of Energy.
added
Eligible entities— The term “eligible entity” means—
removed
Eligible entities defined— In this title, the term “eligible entity” means—
renumbered
was (9)(3)
an institution of higher education;
renumbered
was (9)(4)
a National Laboratory;
renumbered
was (9)(5)
a State, local, territorial, or Tribal government research agency;
renumbered
was (9)(6)
a nonprofit research organization;
renumbered
was (9)(7)
a private sector entity; or
added
a consortium of 2 or more entities described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (E).
added
Secretary— The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Energy.
removed
a consortium of two or more entities described in any of paragraphs (1) through (5).
Sec. 701 Department of Homeland Security activities
changed
In general— The Secretary Consistent with the research plan in section 102 and in coordination with the Administrator of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, as appropriate, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security, shall—Technology—
changed
shall support research, development, evaluation evaluation, and testing for advanced air mobility, unmanned aircraft systems, counter-UAS systems, systems and detection systems capabilities, including for—
air domain awareness and advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems traffic monitoring;
changed
privacy, security, and cybersecurity of advanced air mobility systems, unmanned aircraft systems, and counter-UAS systems and detection systems capabilities;
changed
safety safe operations of advanced air mobility counter-UAS systems and unmanned aircraft systems;detection systems in the National Airspace System; and
changed
safety testing and evaluation of operations unmanned aircraft systems and counter-UAS systems and detection systems capabilities, performance systems engineering, operational analysis and human systems integration, including factors that impact performance of end-users in the National Airspace System; andoperation and maintenance of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems;
changed
testing leveraging and evaluation preparing for adversarial use of artificial intelligence against advanced air mobility, unmanned aircraft systems systems, and counter-UAS systems capabilities, performance systems engineering, and operational analysis;detection systems; and
added
maritime detection and monitoring of hazards to navigation, potential and actual pollution incidents, vessel discharge and vessel air emissions monitoring and enforcement, and pollution response operations;
changed
shall coordinate with all relevant offices and programs of at the Department of Homeland Security, Department, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Protective Service, the Transportation Security Administration, the United States Coast Guard, and the United States Secret Service;Service, the Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans, and the Department of Homeland Security Special Events Program;
changed
may produce curated, standardized, representative, secure, and privacy protected data sets for advanced air mobility systems, unmanned aircraft systems, and counter-UAS systems and detection systems, including detection systems, development, archiving, and use, prioritizing data for high-value, high-risk research;
changed
may support one or more Institutes institutes as described in section 201(a) for the purpose of advancing the field of advanced air mobility, unmanned aircraft systems, and counter-UAS systems, including systems and detection systems capabilities;capabilities; and
changed
apply lessons learned from unmanned aircraft systems research, development, evaluation, shall enter into and testing to advanced air mobility systems; andperform such contracts, including cooperative research and development arrangements and grants and cooperative agreements or other transactions, as may be necessary in the conduct of the work of the Department and on such terms as the Secretary considers appropriate, in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.
added
Counter–uas center of excellence— Subject to the availability of appropriations for the purpose, the Secretary may, in consultation with the Federal Aviation Administration and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, as appropriate, establish a center of excellence to carry out research and development that advances counter-UAS systems and detection systems capabilities.
removed
enter into and perform such contracts, including cooperative research and development arrangements and grants and cooperative agreements or other transactions, as may be necessary in the conduct of the work of the Department and on such terms as the Secretary considers appropriate, in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.
removed
Counter–UAS center of excellence—
removed
In general— The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish in the Department of Homeland Security a center of excellence to carry out research and development that advances counter-UAS systems capabilities.
Selection of host institution—
changed
In general— The Secretary of Homeland Security shall make a grant to one select an institution of higher education, or a consortium of institutions of higher education, to host and maintain the center of excellence established under this subsection.
changed
Selection criteria— In selecting a such an institution or consortium, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall—
changed
give preference to applicants with strong past performance related to counter-UAS systems and detection systems research, education, and workforce development activities;
changed
give preference to applicants geographically collocated within 100 miles of Federal departments or agencies that currently possess or operate extant counter-UAS system facilities;systems and detection systems facilities:
changed
give preference to applicants having proven abilities and strong research enterprises in systems engineering, radio frequency (RF) directed energy, radar and antenna research and development, atmospheric monitoring that can support of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear detection to include trace gases and particular matter (PM), matter, target tracking, remote sensing, sensing and the ability to leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to support the required data analytics;
consider the extent to which the applicant would involve the public and private sectors; and
consider the regional and national impacts of the applicant’s proposed research and development activities.
changed
Use of funds— The Notwithstanding section 46502 of title 49, United States Code, or sections 32, 1030, 1367 and chapters 119 and 206 of title 18, the institution of higher education or consortium may use funds provided under this subsection to carry out fundamental research, evaluation, education, workforce development, and training efforts related to counter-UAS systems and detection systems subject areas, including safety, privacy, security, cybersecurity, detecting, identifying, monitoring, tracking, disrupting and seizing control, confiscating, disabling, damaging, destruction, remote sensing, forensics, testing and evaluation of systems capabilities, performance, systems engineering, operational analysis, and advanced technologies.
changed
Federal share— The Department of Homeland Security share of a grant under this subsection shall not exceed 75 percent of the costs of establishing and operating the center of excellence and related research activities carried out by the grant recipient.
Authorization of appropriations—
changed
Fiscal year 2024— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 for making grants awards under this subsection.
changed
Fiscal years 2025 through 2028— There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security $5,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028 for making grants awards under this subsection.
removed
Institution of higher education— In this subsection, the term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
changed
Interagency coordination—Authorization of appropriations— In carrying out the activities under subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies There are authorized to avoid duplication of research and other activities and be appropriated to ensure such activities are complimentary the Secretary to those currently being undertaken by such other departments and agencies.carry out this section—
removed
Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out this section—
renumbered
was (5)(3)
$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
renumbered
was (5)(4)
$31,500,000 for fiscal year 2025;
renumbered
was (5)(5)
$33,075,000 for fiscal year 2026;
renumbered
was (5)(6)
$34,728,750 for fiscal year 2027; and
renumbered
was (5)(7)
$36,465,187 for fiscal year 2028.
added
Definitions— In this title:
added
Department— The term “Department” means the Department of Homeland Security.
added
Secretary— The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Sec. 801 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research and development
changed
In general— The Administrator of Administrator, consistent with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research plan in section 102, shall carry out and support research, development, and demonstration activities to advance unmanned aircraft systems technologies, and capabilities, and to enhance the deployment of, and data collected by, unmanned aircraft systems relevant to the mission of the Administration, incorporate such data into operations, and ensure data are managed, stewarded, stewarded and archived appropriately. In carrying out such these activities, the Administrator shall coordinate across all relevant offices and programs of at the Administration, including the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Ocean Service, National Weather Service, and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.
changed
Program components—Research activities— In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall—Administrator—
changed
shall test, evaluate, and demonstrate the utility of unmanned aircraft systems technologies for the Administration;Administration.
changed
may support Administration activities and Cooperative Institute referred to in subsection (i)(3) projects, and support and encourage Federal and State agencies, academic institutions, nongovernmental organizations, industry representatives, and others to—
changed
accelerate enable the transition of unmanned aircraft systems capabilities from research to operations and other uses and facilitate new unmanned aircraft systems applications within the Administration;
evaluate current observation strategies and identify critical data gaps best suited for advanced unmanned aircraft systems;
prioritize activities that collect or acquire routine observations which feed forecasts and models;
test, develop, and evaluate safe systems capable of safely operating beyond visual line of sight;
collect or acquire measurements of atmospheric and oceanic parameters; and
ensure the archiving, stewardship, utility, and preservation of and public accessibility to the observations collected are shared with the Administration;
changed
shall provide and support research experiences and training for undergraduate and graduate students in unmanned aircraft systems research, development, and operations relevant to the mission of the Administration, and other education and training opportunities consistent with the purpose of this section;Act;
changed
may contribute to and supplement field campaigns at the Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement user facility in order to incorporate unmanned aircraft systems and resulting data into the development of combined observational and modeling elements; and
changed
shall support and conduct leading-edge research and development of innovative unmanned aircraft systems technologies and concepts to advance research areas in subsection (c).
changed
Research areas— In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall award financial assistance to eligible entities to carry out projects on the use of unmanned aircraft systems to collect environmental data and monitor climate impacts, including—
severe weather forecasts and damage assessments;
rapid flood mapping;
real-time hurricane data, including close-to-surface and low altitude meteorological measurements;
enhanced atmospheric monitoring and sampling, including physical and chemical measurements in the atmospheric boundary layer;
marine mammal detection and monitoring;
near-real time harmful algal bloom measurements for rapid response efforts;
coastal restoration and habitation monitoring, including detection and monitoring of marine debris, oil spill, and hazardous materials;
mapping, charting, and geodesy applications to support safety of navigation;
wildfire observations and data to improve fire weather modeling;
other areas related to science and stewardship of the climate, weather, oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes; and
changed
any other areas the Administrator determines deems necessary and appropriate.
changed
Priority— In carrying out the research areas in subsection (c), the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall, to the maximum extent practicable, prioritize activities that increase the Administration’s operational use of unmanned aircraft systems by extending the range of times, location, and conditions in which observations can be made at lower cost. As part of such these activities, the Administrator may—
enter into contracts with one or more entities in the commercial data sector to acquire data collected by unmanned aircraft systems; and
leverage existing facilities, instruments, and tools, including the Administration’s satellites, fleet of ships, and crewed aircraft.
changed
Technology transfer— In carrying out subsection (a), and in coordination with the Small Business Innovation Research program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (a) the Administrator of the Administration shall support technology transfer of unmanned aircraft systems research by partnering with Federal agencies and industry.
changed
Coordination— The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall coordinate the activities authorized under in this section with the activities authorized in section 3 of the Commercial Engagement Through Ocean Technology Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4102) and engage with other Federal departments and agencies, research communities, nongovernmental organizations, and industry stakeholders through the interagency working group under committee established by section 101.103.
changed
Support of institutes— For the purposes of subsection (a), the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may support relevant activities at one or more Institutes under as described in section 201(a) of this Act for the purpose of advancing the field of unmanned aircraft systems.
changed
Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out this section—
$15,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
$15,750,000 for fiscal year 2025;
$16,537,500 for fiscal year 2026;
$17,364,375 for fiscal year 2027; and
$18,232,593 for fiscal year 2028.
changed
Eligible entities—Definitions— In this title, the term “eligible entities” means—title:
added
Administration— The term “Administration” means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
added
Eligible entities— The term “eligible entities” means—
renumbered
was (10)(3)
an institution of higher education;
renumbered
was (10)(4)
a National Laboratory;
renumbered
was (10)(5)
a NOAA Cooperative Institute;
renumbered
was (10)(6)
a State, local, territorial, or Tribal government agency;
renumbered
was (10)(7)
a nonprofit organization;
renumbered
was (10)(8)
a private sector entity; or
renumbered
was (10)(9)
a consortium of 2 or more entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (F).
added
Administrator— The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Sec. 901 Federal Aviation Administration research and development
changed
In general— The Administrator of Consistent with the Federal Aviation Administration, research plan in section 102, the Administrator, in coordination with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the heads of other Federal agencies, shall carry out and support research, development, testing, demonstration, technology transfer, and demonstration implementation activities to—to enable advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems and to facilitate the safe integration of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system, in areas including—
changed
advance advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems; andbeyond visual-line-of-sight operations;
changed
facilitate the safe integration of advanced air mobility command and unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system.control link technologies;
added
development and integration of unmanned aircraft system traffic management into the national airspace system;
added
noise and other societal and environmental impacts;
added
development of an industry consensus vehicle-to-vehicle standard;
added
safety, including collisions between advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems of various sizes, traveling at various speeds, and various other crewed aircraft or various parts of other crewed aircraft of various sizes and traveling at various speeds; and
added
detect and avoid capabilities.
changed
Lessons learned— The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall apply lessons learned from unmanned aircraft systems research, development, demonstration, and testing to advanced air mobility systems.
changed
Unmanned and manned aircraft safety research—Research on approaches to evaluating risk— As part of the activities under subsection (a), the The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall conduct comprehensive research on approaches to evaluating risk in emerging vehicles, technologies, and testing operations for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems safety, including—and advanced air mobility systems. Such research shall include—
changed
collisions between advanced air mobility defining quantitative metrics, including those needed for the Secretary of Transportation to make determinations and establish requirements for the operations of certain unmanned aircraft systems of various sizes, traveling at various speeds, and commercial jet airliners systems, as described under section 44807 of various sizes, traveling at various speeds;title 49, United States Code, as amended by this title;
changed
collisions between advanced air mobility developing risk-based processes and criteria to inform the development of regulations and certification of complex operations, to include autonomous beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations, of unmanned aircraft systems of various sizes, traveling at various speeds, sizes and propeller planes of various sizes, traveling at various speeds;weights, and advanced air mobility systems; and
changed
collisions between advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems considering the utility of various sizes, traveling at various speeds, and blimps performance standards to make determinations under section 44807 of various sizes, traveling at various speeds;title 49, United States Code, as amended by this title.
removed
collisions between advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems of various sizes, traveling at various speeds, and rotorcraft of various sizes, traveling at various speeds; and
removed
collisions between advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems and various parts of the aircraft specified in paragraph (1) through (4), including—
removed
windshields;
removed
noses;
removed
engines;
removed
radomes;
removed
propellers; and
removed
wings.
changed
Report— Not later than one year 9 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report summarizing on the costs and results of research actions taken by the Administrator to implement provisions under subsection (c).this section that includes—
added
a summary of the costs and results of research under subsection (a)(6);
added
a description of plans for and progress toward the implementation of research and development under subsection (c);
added
a description of the Administration’s progress using research and development to inform the development of certification guidance and regulations of—
added
large unmanned aircraft systems, including those weighing more than 55 pounds; and
added
extended autonomous and remotely piloted operations beyond visual line of sight in controlled and uncontrolled airspace; and
added
a current Plan for Full Operational Capability of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management, as described in section 376 of Public Law 115–254, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.
removed
Study— Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall commission an independent study to—
removed
develop parameters to conduct research and development for probabilistic metrics to enable the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks as necessary to make determinations under section 44807 of title 49, United States Code, that certain advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national airspace system; and
removed
identify additional research needed to more effectively develop and use such metrics and make such determinations.
removed
Study submission— Not later than nine months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the results of the study conducted under subsection (e).
removed
Probabilistic assessment of risks— The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall conduct research and development to enable a probabilistic assessment of risks to inform requirements for standards for operational certification of public advanced air mobility systems and unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace.
removed
Support for institutes— The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may support one or more institutes described in section 201(a) for the purpose of advancing the field of unmanned aircraft systems and supporting the mission of the Administration.
Sec. 902 Partnerships for research, development, demonstration, and testing
changed
Grants for establishment and operation—Study— The Administrator of shall enter into an arrangement with the Federal Aviation National Academy of Public Administration shall make grants to one or more institutions of higher education examine Administration research, development, demonstration, and testing partnerships to establish advance unmanned aircraft systems and operate one regional university advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system center in each of the ten Federal regions which compromise the Standards Federal Regions established by to facilitate the Office safe integration of Management and Budget in unmanned aircraft systems into the document entitled “Standard Federal Regions” and dated April 1974 (circular A–105).national airspace system.
changed
Responsibilities—Considerations— The responsibilities of the unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility center established under this section shall include the conduct of advanced air mobility research and research concerning safely integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system and the interpretation, publication, and dissemination of the results of such research. The responsibility of one such center may include research on detection and avoidance capabilities.study in subsection (a) shall—
added
identify existing Administration partnerships with external entities, including academia and Centers of Excellence, industry, and nonprofit organizations, and the types of such partnership arrangements;
added
examine the partnerships in paragraph (1), including the scope and areas of research, development, demonstration, and testing carried out, and associated arrangements for performing research and development activities;
added
review the extent to which the Administration uses the results and outcomes of each partnership to advance the research and development in unmanned aircraft systems;
added
identify additional research and development areas, if any, that may benefit from partnership arrangements, and whether such research and development would require new partnerships;
added
identify any duplication of ongoing or planned research, development, demonstration, or testing activities;
added
identify effective and appropriate means for publication and dissemination of the results and sharing with the public, commercial, and research communities related data from such research, development, demonstration, and testing conducted under such partnerships;
added
identify effective mechanisms, either new or already existing, to facilitate coordination, evaluation, and information-sharing among and between such partnerships;
added
identify effective and appropriate means for facilitating technology transfer activities within such partnerships;
added
identify the extent to which such partnerships broaden participation from groups historically underrepresented in STEM and include participation by industry, workforce, and labor organizations; and
added
review options for funding models best suited for such partnerships, which may include cost-sharing and public-private partnership models with industry.
changed
Application—Transmittal— An institution of higher education interested in receiving a grant under this section The Administrator shall submit transmit the study directed in subsection (a) to the Administrator Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the Federal Aviation Administration an application in such form House of Representatives and containing such information as the Administrator may require.Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
removed
Selection criteria— The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall select recipients of grants under this section on the basis of the following criteria:
removed
The grant recipient shall have demonstrated research and extension resources available for carrying out this subsection.
removed
The grant recipient shall have demonstrated its capability to provide leadership in making national and regional contributions for addressing long-range and immediate advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems issues.
removed
The grant recipient shall have an established advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems or related research program.
removed
The grant recipient shall have a demonstrated commitment to supporting ongoing advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems research programs.
removed
The grant recipient shall have demonstrated ability to disseminate results of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems research and educational programs through a statewide or regionwide continuing education program.
removed
Consideration— In making a selection of a grant recipient, the Administrator shall consider the projects which the grant recipient proposes to carry out under the grant.
removed
Location— The unmanned aircraft system and advanced air mobility center shall be located in a State which is representative of the needs of the Federal region for improved advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems test facilities.
removed
Federal share— The Federal share of a grant under this section shall be 75 percent of the costs of establishing and operating the regional center and related research activities carried out by the grant recipient.
removed
National advisory council—
removed
Establishment; functions— The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish in the Administration a national advisory council to—
removed
coordinate the research and training to be carried out by grant recipients;
removed
disseminate the results of such research;
removed
act as a clearing house between such centers and the advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems industry; and
removed
review and evaluate programs carried out by such centers.
removed
Members— The national advisory council established under this subsection shall be composed of the directors of the advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems centers and 19 other members appointed by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration as follows:
removed
Six officers of the Federal Aviation Administration, of whom—
removed
one represents the Office of the Administrator;
removed
one represents the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office;
removed
one represents the Office of NextGen;
removed
one represents the Office of Aviation Safety;
removed
one represents the Office of Air Traffic Organization; and
removed
one represents the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.
removed
Five representatives of State, local, Tribal, or territorial governments.
removed
Eight representatives of the unmanned aircraft systems industry, including private industry.
removed
Term of office; pay; chairman— Each of the members appointed by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall serve without pay. The chairman of the national advisory council shall be designated by the Administrator.
removed
Meetings— The national advisory council shall meet at least annually and at such other times as the chairman may designate.
removed
Agency information— Subject to subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, the national advisory council may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this subsection. Upon request from the chairman of the council, the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information to the council.
removed
Termination date inapplicable— Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the council.
removed
Allocation of funds— The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall allocate funds made available to carry out this section equitably among Federal regions.
removed
Technology transfer set-Aside— Not less than five percent of the funds made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year shall be available to carry out technology transfer activities.
Sec. 903 UAS test ranges and operations
added
Extension— Title 49, United States Code, is amended—
added
in section 44803, in subsection (h), by striking “2023” and inserting “2028”; and
added
in section 44807, in subsection (d), by striking “2023” and inserting “2028”.
removed
Except as necessary to support enforcement action under applicable provisions of law against persons operating an advanced air mobility system or unmanned aircraft in a manner that endangers the safety of the National Airspace System, and notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the incorporation of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems into Federal Aviation Administration plans and policies, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding the operation of an unmanned aircraft system—
changed
Expansion— that Title 49, United States Code, is flown strictly for research and development use;amended—
added
in section 44803, in paragraph (b)(7), by inserting after subparagraph (E)—
added “(F) implementing unmanned aircraft systems traffic management services for commercial unmanned aircraft systems in uncontrolled airspace;
added “(G) advanced air mobility concepts in controlled airspace, including communication, navigation, and surveillance standards;
added “(H) the verification and validation of the autonomy of unmanned aircraft systems; and
added “(I) improving the cybersecurity of unmanned aircraft systems.”
added
in section 44807, in subsection (c), after “proprietary systems”, by inserting “, unmanned aircraft systems traffic management systems, and advanced air mobility systems”.
changed
Workforce development— that Subsection (b) of section 44803 of title 49, United States Code, is operated less than 400 feet above the ground and in Class G airspace;amended—
added
by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (11) as paragraphs (6) through (12), respectively; and
added
by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph:
added “(5) support, to the extent practicable, opportunities for apprenticeships and internships in the research and development activities and uses of test ranges to prepare, enhance, and expand workforce skills;”
changed
Report— that is operated in Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a manner report that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft; andincludes the following:
added
The number of waivers granted under subsection (c) of section 44803 of title 49, United States Code, with respect to unmanned aircraft system test ranges and operations conducted under such section;
added
Measures taken to further implement subsection (c) of section 44803 of title 49, United States Code;
added
Measures taken to implement section 44807 of title 49, United States Code; and
added
Strategies to communicate broadly to industry regarding the safest, most efficient, and effective path toward testing goals.
removed
with respect to which, in any case in which the unmanned aircraft system is flown within five miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport) with prior notice of such operation, including by establishing a mutually agreed upon operating procedure in cases with respect to which such unmanned aircraft system is flown from a permanent location within five miles of an airport.
Sec. 904 Authorization of appropriations
changed
Federal Aviation Administration aviation administration research and development funding— There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to carry out section 901—
$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
$21,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
$22,050,000 for fiscal year 2026;
$23,152,500 for fiscal year 2027; and
$24,310,125 for fiscal year 2028.
changed
University unmanned aircraft systems center funding—Partnerships for research, development, demonstration, and testing— There are is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration $1,000,000 to carry out section 902—902.
removed
$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
removed
$105,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
removed
$110,250,000 for fiscal year 2026;
removed
$115,762,500 for fiscal year 2027; and
removed
$121,550,625 for fiscal year 2028.
Sec. 905 Definitions
addedadded In this title:
added
Administrator— The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
added
Administration— The term “Administration” means the Federal Aviation Administration.
Sec. 1001 Limitation
changed
In general— Except as otherwise provided in this section, none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act may be used for the purchase, acquisition, research, development, or operation of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems—
produced or assembled in, or containing components produced or assembled in, a foreign country of concern; or
produced or assembled by entities owned, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of the government of, a foreign country of concern.
changed
Exception— The limitation in subsection (a) shall not apply to the acquisition of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems for the purposes of research and development for improving the United States counter-unmanned aircraft counter-UAS systems and detection systems capabilities.
Waiver— The Secretary of Commerce may waive the limitation in subsection (a) if the Secretary determines, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, that such waiver is in the national security interest of the United States.
Report to congress— The Secretary of Commerce shall report the issuance of such a waiver to the relevant committees of jurisdiction of Congress not later than 30 days after issuing such waiver.
Definition— In this section, the term “foreign country of concern” means—
changed
a country that is a covered nation (as defined in section 4872(d) 4872(d)(2) of title 10 United States Code); andor
changed
any other country that the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, determines to be engaged in conduct that is detrimental to the national security or foreign policy of the United States.