Text of Senate Amendment 5876

Quick facts

Record: Senate Floor
Section type: Amendments
Chamber: Senate
Date: June 18, 2026
Congress: 119th Congress
Why this source matters: This section came from the Senate floor portion of the record.

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People mentioned: McCormick, David
Committees: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Readable version of the official text

SA 5876. Mr. McCORMICK (for himself and Ms. Rosen) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

Subtitle __—Unmanned System Command and Control Integration Assessment

SEC. __1. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the “Unmanned System Command

and Control Integration Assessment Act of 2026”.

SEC. __2. ASSESSMENT OF UNMANNED SYSTEM COMMAND AND CONTROL

FRAMEWORKS.

(a) Assessment Required.—Not later than 180 days after the

date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, in

coordination with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,

the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and

Sustainment, the Secretary of Defense for Research and

Engineering, the Chief Information Officer, Joint Interagency

Task Force 401, the Director of the Defense Information

Systems Agency, the Commander of Joint Interoperability Test

Command, and the Secretaries of the military departments,

commence a comprehensive assessment of open-architecture,

unmanned system command and control frameworks with

demonstrated operational effectiveness.

(b) Scope of Allied and Partner System Review.—The

assessment commenced under subsection (a) shall review each

of the following allied and partner country unmanned systems

command and control frameworks and may include such

additional frameworks as the Secretary determines

appropriate:

(1) Ukraine's Delta battlefield management and unmanned

aircraft systems coordination system, including an analysis

of its technical architecture, its operational effectiveness

in contested environments, the interoperability and

integration lessons learned from its deployment that are

applicable to United States Armed Forces unmanned aircraft

systems command and control operations, and its cybersecurity

resilience under active electronic warfare and cyber attack.

(2) Israel's Multiple Drone Operating System, including an

analysis of its technical architecture, its demonstrated

operational effectiveness in managing simultaneous civilian,

commercial, and military unmanned aircraft systems

operations, the interoperability and integration lessons

learned from its deployment that are applicable to United

States Armed Forces unmanned aircraft systems command and

control operations, and its cybersecurity and emergency

prioritization mechanisms.

subsection (a) shall address, at a minimum, each of the

following elements:

(1) Architectural analysis, including—

(A) a comparative analysis of the technical architectures

of the unmanned systems command and control frameworks

reviewed, including data formats, communication protocols,

interface standards, and software design approaches;

(B) an evaluation of the degree to which each framework

employs open-architecture and modular open-systems

architecture principles; and

most associated with operational effectiveness, adaptability,

and resilience in contested environments.

(2) Unmanned systems tier compatibility, including—

(A) an evaluation of each framework's capacity to manage

all unmanned systems within a single integrated command and

control environment;

(B) an identification of the technical and doctrinal

barriers to command and control interoperability across

unmanned systems s within a single framework; and

requirements a Department unmanned systems command and

control framework must meet to support effective employment

of unmanned systems across all in a joint operational

environment.

(3) Interoperability with existing Department systems,

including—

(A) a detailed assessment of the compatibility and

interoperability requirements for

integrating an open-architecture unmanned system command and

control framework with current and future Department command

and control modernization, as designated by the Secretary at

the time of the assessment;

(B) an identification of the interface standards, data

translation requirements, and technical integration pathways

that would be necessary to achieve such interoperability; and

including cybersecurity risks arising from connecting an

open-architecture system to existing classified networks.

(4) Cybersecurity and future-proofing, including—

(A) an assessment of the cybersecurity posture of each

framework reviewed, including its resilience to electronic

warfare, Global Positioning System denial, communications

jamming, and software-based cyber attack in active contested

environments;

(B) a recommendation for a cybersecurity standards

framework or updates to the Risk Management Framework of the

National Institute of Standards and Technology applicable to

a Department unmanned system command and control system

that—

(i) is based on the Cybersecurity Framework 2.0, published

by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and

applicable special publications of the Institute, and is

designed to incorporate updated guidance from the Institute

without requiring legislative action;

(ii) incorporates a comprehensive supply chain risk

management strategy;

(iii) implements robust data-centric security controls,

including end-to-end data encryption, data tagging for

automated policy enforcement, and accredited cross-domain

solutions to prevent compromise between classification levels

and to enable secure data interoperability with mission

partners;

(iv) establishes vulnerability disclosure and patch

management standards enabling timely response to newly

identified threats without requiring system-wide redesign;

and

(v) specifies a recurring review cycle of not less than

once every 18 months to update cybersecurity standards as the

National Institute of Standards and Technology and other

relevant standards bodies publish new guidance, without

requiring legislative action; and

(vi) mandates alignment with Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA),

ensuring all data, applications, assets, and services are

managed with the assumption that the network is already

compromised;

can accommodate future unmanned systems technologies,

including autonomous systems, artificial intelligence-enabled

targeting and deconfliction, swarming capabilities, and

beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations, without requiring

full system replacement; and

(D) a recommended technology refresh cycle and associated

governance process for keeping a Department unmanned system

command and control framework current with advancing

technology and evolving threats.

(5) Tactical adaptability and field-level flexibility,

including—

(A) an assessment of the mechanisms within each framework

reviewed that enable tactical-level operators and commanders

to modify, adapt, or extend command and control functionality

without depending on centralized software updates or

acquisition processes, drawing on documented examples from

the conflict in Ukraine where unmanned aircraft systems

tactics evolved within weeks in response to adversary

countermeasures;

(B) a recommended design approach for a Department

framework that preserves appropriate security and safety

controls while enabling tactical-level customization,

including through the use of application programming

interfaces, modular software components, and operator-

accessible configuration tools; and

organizational changes required to enable and sustain field-

level innovation within a structured command and control

architecture.

(6) Classification and technology transfer, including—

(A) an assessment of the classification implications of a

Department unmanned system command and control framework,

including recommendations for which components may operate at

unclassified levels to maximize interoperability with allied

and commercial systems, and which must be classified;

(B) an assessment of the technology transfer and foreign

military sales implications of the frameworks reviewed,

including intellectual property and national security

considerations associated with adopting or adapting systems

developed by or with foreign partners; and

with other United States Government organizations, allies,

and partner nations that would facilitate ongoing exchange of

unmanned systems command and control lessons learned and

technical standards.

(7) Implementation roadmap, including—

(A) a recommended phased implementation approach for

developing and fielding a Department unmanned system command

and control framework, including recommended near-term pilot

programs or exercises that could demonstrate technical

feasibility and operational utility;

(B) an estimate of the resources, including funding,

personnel, and acquisition authorities, required to develop

and field the recommended framework; and

platforms, and acquisition vehicles that could serve as the

basis for or be accelerated by an unmanned system command and

control capability.

SEC. __3. INDEPENDENT ADVISORY PANEL.

(a) Establishment.—Not later than 60 days after the date

of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish

an independent advisory panel (in this section referred to as

the “Panel”) to provide independent review and technical

guidance to the assessment required under section __2.

(b) Composition.—The Panel shall consist of not fewer than

10 and not more than 15 members appointed by the Secretary,

including—

(1) not fewer than two individuals who have direct

operational experience in unmanned aircraft systems

employment in a joint or combined military environment;

(2) not fewer than two individuals who have technical

expertise in open-architecture software systems, modular

systems design, or command and control software architecture;

(3) not fewer than two individuals who have expertise in

cybersecurity, including experience with operational

technology cybersecurity in contested environments;

(4) at least three individuals who have expertise in

unmanned aircraft systems command and control operations,

doctrine, or command and control from an allied or partner

country with significant unmanned aircraft systems

operational experience, appointed in coordination with

relevant allied or partner country authorities;

(5) at least one individual with experience in unmanned

aircraft system (UAS) traffic management in the National

Airspace System; and

(6) such additional members as the Secretary determines

appropriate, which may include representatives from the

defense industrial base, federally funded research and

development centers, academic institutions with relevant

expertise, and the Department of Defense test and evaluation

community to ensure early consideration to interoperability,

testability, and certification requirements.

two-thirds of the members of the Panel may be a full-time

officer or employee of the United States Government.

(d) Duties.—The Panel shall provide written assessments

and recommendations on each element of the assessment

described in section __2(c) and shall have the opportunity to

review and comment on draft findings before finalization.

(e) Termination.—The Panel shall terminate on the date

that is 90 days after the date of the submittal of the final

report required under section __4(b).

(f) Compensation.—Members of the Panel who are not full-

time officers or employees of the United States Government

shall be compensated at a daily rate equal to the daily

equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay for level IV of

the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United

States Code, for each day they are engaged in the performance

of Panel duties and shall be allowed travel expenses as

authorized under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. __ __4. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—

(a) Interim Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date

of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to

the congressional defense committees an interim report on the

status of the assessment required under section __2, which

shall include—

(1) an identification of any additional allied and partner

country frameworks selected for review and analysis beyond

those specified in section __2(b);

(2) a summary of findings from the architectural analysis

required under section __2(c)(1);

(3) a preliminary assessment of interoperability

requirements under section __2(c)(3); and

(4) any significant findings or challenges identified to

date.

(b) Final Report.—Not later than one year after the date

of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to

the congressional defense committees a final report

containing the complete findings and recommendations of the

Secretary with respect to the assessment required under

section __2. The final report shall include—

(1) a determination as to whether the development of a

Department unmanned system command and control framework

based on open-architecture principles is feasible,

operationally necessary, and cost-effective;

(2) if the determination under paragraph (1) is

affirmative, a recommended framework architecture, phased

implementation roadmap, and legislative or regulatory actions

required to proceed;

(3) if the determination under paragraph (1) is negative or

qualified, a description of the specific barriers identified

and recommendations for addressing them; and

(4) a classified annex, as appropriate, containing any

elements that the Secretary determines must be protected from

public disclosure for national security reasons.

submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified

annex. Unclassified portions shall be made publicly available

on the Department public website not later than 30 days after

submission.

(d) Annual Update.—For a period of five years following

submission of the final report under subsection (b), the

Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense

committees, as part of the annual budget justification

materials submitted to Congress in support of the budget of

the Department (as submitted with the budget of the President

under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code), an

update describing—

(1) actions taken by the Department in response to the

recommendations of the Secretary contained in the final

report;

(2) material changes in allied or partner country unmanned

systems command and control frameworks or practices relevant

to the assessment's conclusions;

(3) emerging unmanned systems technologies or cybersecurity

threats that would materially affect the recommended

framework architecture; and

(4) the status of any pilot programs, exercises, or

acquisition activities initiated pursuant to the

recommendations of the Secretary contained in the final

report.

SEC. __5. CYBERSECURITY STANDARDS FOR ANY RECOMMENDED

FRAMEWORK.

(a) Requirements.—Any unmanned system command and control

framework recommended in the final report required under

section __4(b), and any system developed or procured pursuant

to such a recommendation, shall—

(1) employ a modular open systems architecture that permits

individual software and hardware components to be updated,

replaced, or patched in response to identified cybersecurity

vulnerabilities without requiring redesign of the system as a

whole;

(2) apply a supply chain risk management framework

throughout the asset's and component's lifecycles;

(3) comply with the most current version of the

Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 published by the National

Institute of Standards and Technology and applicable special

publications of the Institute, as updated from time to time,

without requiring amendment of this Act to conform to new

guidance;

(4) include a documented vulnerability disclosure policy

and a process for receiving, triaging, and patching reported

vulnerabilities within defined response time standards

established by the Secretary; and

(5) undergo penetration testing by a National Security

Agency-certified red team not less frequently than once every

two years following initial fielding, with findings reported

to the Principal Cyber Advisor and, in summary form, to the

congressional defense committees.

(b) Exclusion of Covered Foreign Entities.—No software,

hardware, or service produced, provided, or operated by an

entity on the Federal Communications Commission Covered List

established under section 2 of the Secure and Trusted

Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1601), or on

the Department of Defense Covered Foreign Entity list

maintained pursuant to section 4872 of title 10, United

States Code, may be incorporated into any unmanned system

command and control framework developed, procured, or fielded

pursuant to this Act.

coordination with the Director of the National Security

Agency, the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure

Security Agency, and the Chief Information Officer of the

Department, establish a process for reviewing and updating

the cybersecurity standards applicable to a framework

developed pursuant to this Act on a recurring basis of not

less than once every 18 months, to ensure such standards

remain current with the evolving threat environment and

applicable Federal standards without requiring legislative

action.

SEC. __6. COORDINATION WITH EXISTING DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

PROGRAMS.

(a) Required Coordination.—In conducting the assessment

required under section __2, the Secretary shall ensure that

the unmanned system command and control framework under

consideration is assessed for compatibility with all current

Department command and control modernization programs of

record, as designated by the Secretary at the time of the

assessment. The Secretary shall update this assessment as the

portfolio of such programs evolves, ensuring that

recommendations remain current with the Department's command

and control modernization activities regardless of changes in

program names, structures, or priorities.

(b) Avoidance of Duplication.—In developing

recommendations under section __2, the Secretary shall assess

whether existing programs of record identified under

subsection (a) can be extended or adapted to provide the

unmanned system command and control capability described in

this Act without developing a wholly new system and shall

include in the final report a determination as to whether

such extension or adaptation is technically feasible and

operationally preferable.

Compatibility.—The Secretary shall ensure that the

assessment and any recommended framework account for the

domestic small unmanned aircraft systems industrial base

remediation efforts undertaken pursuant to section 914 of the

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (10

U.S.C. 4811 note), including ensuring that unmanned aircraft

systems platforms produced through those programs are

compatible with any recommended command and control

framework.

SEC. __7. SHARING OF FINDINGS WITH THE FEDERAL AVIATION

ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Transmission of Findings.—Not later than the date that

is 30 days after the date of the submittal of the final

report under section __4(b), the Secretary shall transmit to

the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration an

unclassified summary of the findings and recommendations

included in the report, with particular attention to findings

regarding—

(1) open architecture and modular design principles

applicable to unmanned system command and control systems;

(2) cybersecurity standards and frameworks evaluated or

recommended for Department unmanned aircraft systems command

and control systems that may have applicability to civil

unmanned aircraft systems traffic management infrastructure;

(3) technical standards and interface specifications that

could support interoperability between military and civil

unmanned aircraft systems operations in shared airspace; and

(4) lessons learned from systems of allied and partner

countries of the United States, regarding the integration of

military, commercial, and civil unmanned aircraft systems

operations within a unified airspace management framework.

(b) Purpose.—The purpose of subsection (a) is to inform

any Federal Aviation Administration planning, rulemaking, or

feasibility assessment related to civil unmanned aircraft

system traffic management, beyond visual line of sight

operations, or national airspace integration, including any

activities undertaken pursuant to a feasibility assessment

directed by Congress regarding a national unmanned aircraft

systems traffic management system. Nothing in this section

shall be construed to require the Secretary to disclose any

classified information to the Administrator.

than the date that is 180 days after the date on which the

Administrator receives the summary transmitted under

subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the

congressional defense committees, the Committee on Commerce,

Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee

on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of

Representatives a written assessment of the relevance of such

findings to Federal Aviation Administration civil unmanned

aircraft systems airspace integration activities and any

actions the Federal Aviation Administration intends to take

in response.

SEC. __8. FUNDING.

Amounts obligated or expended by the Secretary to carry out

this subtitle shall be derived from amounts appropriated to

the Department for research, development, test, and

evaluation.

SEC. __9. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:

(1) Command and control framework.—The term “command and

control framework” means the software architecture,

communications protocols, data standards, interface

specifications, and associated hardware that together enable

an operator or commander to task, direct, monitor, and

receive data from one or more unmanned aircraft systems.

(2) Congressional defense committees.—The term

“congressional defense committees” has the meaning given

that term in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code.

(3) Department.—The term “Department” means the

Department of Defense.

(4) Modular open systems architecture.—The term “modular

open systems architecture” has the meaning given to that

term in section 4401(c) of title 10, United States Code, and

means a design approach in which key interfaces are defined

by widely supported and consensus-based standards, enabling

components to be added, modified, replaced, or removed with

minimal impact to the remainder of the system.

(5) Open architecture.—The term “open architecture”

means a system design based on published, consensus-developed

interface standards that permit systems from multiple vendors

to interoperate, and that permits components to be updated,

replaced, or added without redesign of the system as a whole.

(6) Secretary.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary

of Defense, unless otherwise specified.

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