Section 1 Operational assessment and report on installation defense capabilities using directed energy to defeat unmanned aircraft system and UAS swarms
In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct an operational assessment of the installation defense capabilities of the Department of Defense to defeat unmanned aircraft system (in this section referred to as “UAS”) threats.
Elements— The assessment required under subsection (a) shall include, for the capabilities covered by the assessment, an assessment of each of the following:
The operation of high energy lasers, high power microwaves and other emerging directed energy technologies.
The ability to defeat UAS threats at operationally relevant distances.
The ability to integrate with other counter-UAS systems and existing security infrastructure.
The ability to rapidly transport and set-up.
The ability to regulate defeat distances.
The ability to safely operate on United States installations.
The effects on the spectrum and airspace inside and outside of established defeat distances.
The effects on human beings and vehicles inside and outside of established defeat distances.
The ease of training and operation.
The maintainability and sustainability.
The cost-effectiveness.
The scalability.
Report— Not later than 90 days after the completion of the assessment required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes—
the results of the assessment; and
the recommendations of the Secretary for any changes or modifications to equipment, procedures, regulations or existing laws to operationally employ directed energy systems for installation defense against UAS and UAS swarms.