Sponsors (2)
The bill sustains federal investment to advance UAS/AAM R&D and improve airspace management—supporting jobs and potential efficiency gains—while raising safety/privacy risks, competition concerns for smaller firms, and possible resource trade-offs within NASA.
Scientists, researchers, and aerospace tech workers receive continued federal R&D support for UAS and Advanced Air Mobility, sustaining jobs and innovation in aerospace research.
Passengers, cargo operators, and transportation workers may benefit from advances in Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) and autonomous capabilities that could improve airspace efficiency and safety.
Taxpayers and state governments gain more transparency and oversight through required congressional briefings on federal aerospace R&D progress within 18 months.
Middle-class families and transportation workers face increased safety and privacy risks if advanced and autonomous aviation is deployed before regulatory and safety frameworks are fully established.
Small business owners and smaller aerospace firms may be disadvantaged because federal R&D support for industry partners could disproportionately benefit well-capitalized companies and raise competition concerns.
Scientists, researchers, and taxpayers could see other NASA priorities receive fewer resources if the agency must reallocate funds or staff to continue this directed R&D work.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs NASA to continue research on UAS and advanced air mobility with federal, academic, and industry partners and report progress to two congressional committees within 18 months.
Introduced December 11, 2025 by Thomas Kean · Last progress December 11, 2025
Directs NASA to continue research on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM) in coordination with the FAA, other federal agencies, academia, and industry, including work on unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM) and autonomous capabilities. Requires NASA to brief the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on research progress within 18 months of enactment and provides definitions for key terms used in the directive.