I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 6245 
To require a review of the system used by the Department of Defense 
for categorizing unmanned aircraft systems, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 13, 2021 
Mr. BACON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Armed Services 
A BILL 
To require a review of the system used by the Department 
of Defense for categorizing unmanned aircraft systems, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems Review Act of 2021’’. 
SEC. 2. REQUIRED REVIEW OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
UNMANNED 
AIRCRAFT 
SYSTEMS 
CAT-
EGORIZATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary of Defense 
for Acquisition and Sustainment shall initiate a process— 
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(1) to review the system used by the Depart-
ment of Defense for categorizing unmanned aircraft 
systems, as described in Joint Publication 3–30 ti-
tled ‘‘Joint Air Operations’’; and 
(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 con-
cepts; 
(2) advanced systems and technologies available 
in the current commercial marketplace; 
(3) the rapid fielding of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems technology; and 
(4) the integration of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems into the National Airspace System. 
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(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 depart-
ments; 
(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 congres-
sional defense committees, the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Com-
mittee 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 un-
manned aircraft systems as a result of such review; 
(3) the costs and benefits of any planned revi-
sions; and 
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(4) a proposed implementation plan and 
timelines for such revisions. 
Æ 
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