Unmanned Aircraft Systems Review Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.6245 | Sponsor: Rep. Bacon, Don (R-NE)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

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.

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 Representatives 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 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''; 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 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.
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