Unmanned Aircraft Systems Review Act of 2021

To require a review of the system used by the Department of Defense for categorizing unmanned aircraft systems, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Review Act of 2021 2. Required review of department of defense unmanned aircraft systems categorization (a) In general The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall initiate a process— (1) to review the system used by the Department of Defense for categorizing unmanned aircraft systems, as described in Joint Publication 3–30 titled Joint Air Operations (2) to determine whether modifications should be made in the Department of Defense grouping of unmanned aerial systems into five broad categories, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Required elements for revision If the Under Secretary determines under subsection (a) that the characteristics associated with any of the five categories of unmanned aircraft systems should be revised, the Under Secretary shall consider the effect a revision would have on— (1) the future capability and employment needs to support current and emerging warfighting concepts; (2) advanced systems and technologies available in the current commercial marketplace; (3) the rapid fielding of unmanned aircraft systems technology; and (4) the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the National Airspace System. (c) Consultation requirements In carrying out the review required under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall consult with— (1) the Secretary of each of the military departments; (2) the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; (3) the Secretary of State; and (4) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. (d) Report required Not later than October 1, 2022, the Under Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report that includes a description of— (1) the results of the review initiated under subsection (a); (2) any revisions planned to the system used by the Department of Defense for categorizing unmanned aircraft systems as a result of such review; (3) the costs and benefits of any planned revisions; and (4) a proposed implementation plan and timelines for such revisions.

Summary: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Review Act of 2021 This bill requires the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment within the Department of Defense (DOD) to review DOD's system for categorizing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) as described in Joint Publication 3-30, titled Joint Air Operations. The office must also determine whether modifications should be made in DOD's grouping of unmanned aerial systems into five broad categories. If revisions are needed, the office must consider the effect a revision would have on (1) the future capability and employment needs to support current and emerging warfighting concepts, (2) advanced systems and technologies available in the current commercial marketplace, (3) the rapid fielding of UAS technology, and (4) the integration of UAS into the National Airspace System.