A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to assess and report on the feasibility of incorporating open-architecture, unmanned system command and control frameworks into Department of Defense unmanned system operations across all unmanned system tiers and domains, drawing on lessons from allied and partner country systems, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · June 24, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to assess whether the Department can adopt open-architecture command and control systems for unmanned drones and aircraft across all military branches and operational levels. The assessment must examine successful systems used by allied countries, particularly Ukraine's Delta battlefield management system and Israel's Multiple Drone Operating System, to identify best practices for technical architecture, cybersecurity, interoperability, and adaptability. The Secretary must deliver an interim report within 180 days and a final report within one year, analyzing feasibility, costs, implementation timelines, and any legislative changes needed. The bill establishes an independent advisory panel of 10 to 15 experts to provide technical guidance and review findings. Any recommended framework must meet strict cybersecurity standards, including regular vulnerability testing and updates every 18 months, and cannot incorporate technology from designated foreign entities. The Department must also share relevant unclassified findings with the Federal Aviation Administration to inform civilian drone traffic management systems, and must submit annual updates for five years on implementation progress. The assessment will be funded through existing Department research and development budgets.
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