(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this title: 
(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administra-
tion’’ means the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration. 
(2) 
ADMINISTRATOR.—The 
term 
‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the National Aer-
onautics and Space Administration. 
TITLE VI—DEPARTMENT OF 
ENERGY ACTIVITIES 
SEC. 601. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESEARCH ACTIVITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Consistent with the research plan 
in section 102, the Secretary shall carry out cross-cutting 
research, development, and demonstration activities to ad-
vance unmanned aircraft system technologies, capabilities, 
and workforce needs and to improve the reliability of the 
use of unmanned aircraft systems in ways relevant to the 
mission of the Department. In carrying out 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 En-
ergy, the Office of Nuclear Energy, the Office of Fossil En-
ergy, the Office of Electricity, the Office of Cybersecurity, 
Energy Security, and Emergency Response, the Advanced 
Research Projects Agency—Energy, the Office of Environ-
mental Management, the Office of Environment, Health, 
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Safety and Security, the National Nuclear Security Admin-
istration, the Artificial Intelligence Technology Office, the 
UAS Research and Engineering Center, and any other rel-
evant office or activity as determined by the Secretary. 
(b) RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), the Secretary— 
(1) shall formulate goals for unmanned aircraft 
systems research activities to be supported by the De-
partment, including in the research areas under sec-
tion (c); 
(2) shall leverage the collective body of knowledge 
from existing unmanned aircraft systems research 
and development activities, including the work under-
way by the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research 
and Engineering Center; 
(3) shall provide research experiences and train-
ing for undergraduate and graduate students in un-
manned aircraft systems research and development, 
including in the fields of— 
(A) artificial intelligence and machine 
learning; 
(B) applied mathematics and algorithm de-
velopment; 
(C) advanced imaging, sensing, and detec-
tion technologies; 
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(D) materials science and engineering; and 
(E) advanced energy technologies and pro-
pulsion approaches; 
(4) shall ensure all activities under this section 
are subject to the data management policies of the De-
partment; and 
(5) may support one or more Institutes as de-
scribed in section 201(a) of this Act for the purpose 
of advancing the fields of unmanned aircraft systems 
and the mission of the Department. 
(c) RESEARCH AREAS.—In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall award financial assistance to eligi-
ble entities to carry out research, development, and dem-
onstration projects over a range of subject areas including— 
(1) fundamental science, applied science, and ad-
vanced technology areas, which may include— 
(A) advanced sensor technologies and inno-
vative sensor materials, devices, and processes, 
including— 
(i) optical capabilities, including Light 
Detection and Ranging, hyperspectral, ther-
mographic, and visible imaging capabili-
ties; 
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(ii) nonoptical electromagnetic capa-
bilities, including radar and radiofrequency 
capabilities; 
(iii) acoustic capabilities, including ul-
trasonic and infrasonic capabilities; 
(iv) micro and nano technology; 
(v) collection, processing, and storage 
of uniquely identifiable signatures; and 
(vi) radiation detection, gravimetric, 
hyperspectral or other measurement modali-
ties; 
(B) advanced technologies and methods for 
remote handling, precision positioning, and 
navigation control; 
(C) advanced technologies for secure autono-
mous operation, including edge computing and 
artificial intelligence; 
(D) power electronics and wireless charging 
systems; 
(E) novel materials, including lightweight 
materials and materials with robust performance 
under extreme conditions; 
(F) scalability of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems for increased payload capacity; 
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(G) technologies and processes to improve 
secure interoperability practices, including with 
existing satellites, constellation networks, indus-
trial control systems, and surface-based facilities; 
(H) strategies and technologies for inte-
grated cybersecurity considerations; 
(I) strategies and technologies for improved 
endurance, including lightweight long duration 
fuels, batteries, fuel cells, and other storage sys-
tems; 
(J) open architectures and advanced algo-
rithms to enable multi-sensor fusion and track-
ing of unmanned aircraft systems; 
(K) swarm and cooperative drone data col-
lection and operation, and integration of drone 
control systems with dynamic sampling and 
real-time digital twin simulations; 
(L) approaches to allow for use of advanced 
artificial intelligence and advanced computation 
for improved aircraft structural and aero-
dynamic design; 
(M) relevant microelectronics technologies, 
including novel devices, systems, and architec-
tures; and 
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(N) strategies and technologies for energy ef-
ficient manufacturing of specialized components; 
(2) approaches for leveraging unmanned aircraft 
systems for diverse applications, which may in-
clude— 
(A) advanced assessment, characterization, 
mapping, and recovery of energy resources, such 
as geothermal energy, bioenergy feedstock re-
sources, and critical minerals resources; 
(B) real time asset management, infrastruc-
ture inspection, monitoring, fault prediction and 
detection, and field testing of electric grid and 
energy infrastructure systems, such as onshore 
and offshore wind energy, fossil energy, solar en-
ergy, marine energy, nuclear energy, and hydro-
power systems; 
(C) 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; 
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(D) leak detection of greenhouse gases re-
lated to resource extraction and energy produc-
tion and delivery, including methane leak detec-
tion; 
(E) agriculture and aquaculture applica-
tions; 
(F) integrated data collection to inform and 
enhance Department modeling capabilities, in-
cluding the development of climate and earth 
systems models and computational tools; 
(G) assistance in environmental manage-
ment and cleanup activities; 
(H) assistance in Department infrastruc-
ture management at National Laboratories and 
other relevant Department sites; 
(I) intrusion detection and facility moni-
toring for physical security applications; 
(J) data collection of building envelope fea-
tures and characteristics for rapid energy mod-
eling purposes; and 
(L) improving efficiency of manufacturing 
processes. 
(d) TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), and in coordination with the Office of Tech-
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nology Transitions, the Secretary shall support technology 
transfer of unmanned aircraft systems research. 
(e) FACILITY USE.—In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Secretary may make available high-performance computing 
infrastructure and other relevant research facilities and test 
beds at the National Laboratories. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Department to carry 
out this section— 
(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(2) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(3) $55,125,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
(4) $57,881,775 for fiscal year 2027; and 
(5) $60,775,863 for fiscal year 2028. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this title: 
(1) DEPARTMENT.—The term ‘‘Department’’ 
means the Department of Energy. 
(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The term ‘‘eligible en-
tity’’ means— 
(A) an institution of higher education; 
(B) a National Laboratory; 
(C) a State, local, territorial, or Tribal gov-
ernment research agency; 
(D) a nonprofit research organization; 
(E) a private sector entity; or 
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(F) a consortium of 2 or more entities de-
scribed in any of subparagraphs (A) through 
(E). 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Energy. 
TITLE 
VII—DEPARTMENT 
OF 
HOMELAND SECURITY ACTIVI-
TIES 
SEC. 701. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ACTIVI-
TIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Consistent with the research plan 
in section 102 and in coordination with the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration and the heads of 
other relevant Federal agencies, as appropriate, the Sec-
retary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and 
Technology— 
(1) shall support research, development, evalua-
tion, and testing for advanced air mobility, un-
manned aircraft systems, counter-UAS systems and 
detection systems capabilities, including for— 
(A) air domain awareness and advanced 
air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems 
traffic monitoring; 
(B) privacy, security, and cybersecurity of 
advanced air mobility systems, unmanned air-
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craft systems, and counter-UAS systems and de-
tection systems capabilities; 
(C) safe operations of counter-UAS systems 
and detection systems in the National Airspace 
System; and 
(D) testing and evaluation of unmanned 
aircraft systems and counter-UAS systems and 
detection systems capabilities, performance sys-
tems engineering, operational analysis and 
human systems integration, including factors 
that impact performance of end-users in the op-
eration and maintenance of advanced air mobil-
ity and unmanned aircraft systems; 
(E) leveraging and preparing for adver-
sarial use of artificial intelligence against ad-
vanced air mobility, unmanned aircraft systems, 
and counter-UAS systems and detection systems; 
and 
(F) maritime detection and monitoring of 
hazards to navigation, potential and actual pol-
lution incidents, vessel discharge and vessel air 
emissions monitoring and enforcement, and pol-
lution response operations; 
(2) shall coordinate with all relevant offices and 
programs at the Department, including the Cyberse-
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curity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Cus-
toms and Border Protection, the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, the Federal Protective Service, 
the Transportation Security Administration, the 
United States Coast Guard, the United States Secret 
Service, the Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans, and 
the Department of Homeland Security Special Events 
Program; 
(3) may produce curated, standardized, rep-
resentative, secure, and privacy protected data sets for 
advanced air mobility systems, unmanned aircraft 
systems, and counter-UAS systems and detection sys-
tems, 
including 
detection 
systems, 
development, 
archiving, and use, prioritizing data for high-value, 
high-risk research; 
(4) may support one or more institutes as de-
scribed in section 201(a) for the purpose of advancing 
the field of advanced air mobility, unmanned aircraft 
systems, and counter-UAS systems and detection sys-
tems capabilities; and 
(5) shall enter into and perform such contracts, 
including cooperative research and development ar-
rangements and grants and cooperative agreements or 
other transactions, as may be necessary in the con-
duct of the work of the Department and on such terms 
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as the Secretary considers appropriate, in furtherance 
of the purposes of this Act. 
(b) 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. 
(1) SELECTION OF HOST INSTITUTION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall se-
lect an institution of higher education, or a con-
sortium of institutions of higher education, to 
host and maintain the center of excellence estab-
lished under this subsection. 
(B) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting a 
such an institution or consortium, the Secretary 
shall— 
(i) give preference to applicants with 
strong past performance related to counter- 
UAS systems and detection systems re-
search, education, and workforce develop-
ment activities; 
(ii) give preference to applicants geo-
graphically collocated within 100 miles of 
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Federal departments or agencies that cur-
rently possess or operate extant counter- 
UAS systems and detection systems facili-
ties: 
(iii) give preference to applicants hav-
ing proven abilities and strong research en-
terprises in systems engineering, radio fre-
quency directed energy, radar and antenna 
research 
and 
development, 
atmospheric 
monitoring that can support of chemical, 
biological, radiological and nuclear detec-
tion to include trace gases and particular 
matter, target tracking, remote sensing and 
the ability to leverage artificial intelligence 
and machine learning to support the re-
quired data analytics; 
(iv) consider the extent to which the 
applicant would involve the public and pri-
vate sectors; and 
(v) consider the regional and national 
impacts of the applicant’s proposed research 
and development activities. 
(2) USE
OF
FUNDS.—Notwithstanding section 
46502 of title 49, United States Code, or sections 32, 
1030, 1367 and chapters 119 and 206 of title 18, the 
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institution of higher education or consortium may use 
funds provided under this subsection to carry out fun-
damental research, evaluation, education, workforce 
development, and training efforts related to counter- 
UAS systems and detection systems subject areas, in-
cluding safety, privacy, security, cybersecurity, detect-
ing, identifying, monitoring, tracking, disrupting and 
seizing control, confiscating, disabling, damaging, de-
struction, remote sensing, forensics, testing and eval-
uation of systems capabilities, performance, systems 
engineering, operational analysis, and advanced tech-
nologies. 
(3) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Department share of 
a grant under this subsection shall not exceed 75 per-
cent of the costs of establishing and operating the cen-
ter of excellence and related research activities carried 
out by the grant recipient. 
(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(A) FISCAL YEAR 2024.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 
for fiscal year 2024 for making awards under 
this subsection. 
(B) FISCAL YEARS 2025 THROUGH 2028.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary $5,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2025 
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through 2028 for making awards under this sub-
section. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
this section— 
(1) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(2) $31,500,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(3) $33,075,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
(4) $34,728,750 for fiscal year 2027; and 
(5) $36,465,187 for fiscal year 2028. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this title: 
(1) DEPARTMENT.—The term ‘‘Department’’ 
means the Department of Homeland Security. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Homeland Security. 
TITLE VIII—NATIONAL OCEANIC 
AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINIS-
TRATION ACTIVITIES 
SEC. 801. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINIS-
TRATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, consistent with 
the research plan in section 102, shall carry out and sup-
port research, development, and demonstration activities to 
advance unmanned aircraft systems technologies, and capa-
bilities, and to enhance the deployment of, and data col-
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lected by, unmanned aircraft systems relevant to the mis-
sion of the Administration, incorporate such data into oper-
ations, and ensure data are managed, stewarded and 
archived appropriately. In carrying out these activities, the 
Administrator shall coordinate across all relevant offices 
and programs at the Administration, including the Office 
of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Environ-
mental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, National Ocean Service, National 
Weather Service, and the Office of Marine and Aviation Op-
erations. 
(b) RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), the Administrator— 
(1) shall test, evaluate, and demonstrate the util-
ity of unmanned aircraft systems technologies for the 
Administration. 
(2) may support Administration activities and 
Cooperative Institute projects, and support and en-
courage Federal and State agencies, academic institu-
tions, nongovernmental organizations, industry rep-
resentatives, and others to— 
(A) enable the transition of unmanned air-
craft systems capabilities from research to oper-
ations and other uses and facilitate new un-
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manned aircraft systems applications within the 
Administration; 
(B) evaluate current observation strategies 
and identify critical data gaps best suited for 
advanced unmanned aircraft systems; 
(C) prioritize activities that collect or ac-
quire routine observations which feed forecasts 
and models; 
(D) test, develop, and evaluate safe systems 
capable of safely operating beyond visual line of 
sight; 
(E) collect or acquire measurements of at-
mospheric and oceanic parameters; and 
(F) ensure the archiving, stewardship, util-
ity, and preservation of and public accessibility 
to the observations collected are shared with the 
Administration; 
(3) shall provide and support research experi-
ences and training for undergraduate and graduate 
students in unmanned aircraft systems research, de-
velopment, and operations relevant to the mission of 
the Administration, and other education and training 
opportunities consistent with the purpose of this Act; 
(4) may contribute to and supplement field cam-
paigns at the Department of Energy’s Atmospheric 
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