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Allows the Secretary of the Army to speed up research, development, testing, evaluation, and initial purchases of two variant versions of the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft: a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) variant and a special operations variant. The measure requires coordination with relevant stakeholders, seeks use of common parts to reduce costs, prohibits any new funding beyond existing appropriations, and requires a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. The authority is limited to using already appropriated funds and focuses on accelerating activities already planned for these aircraft variants while providing Congress with a progress update within 180 days.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to accelerate research, development, test, evaluation, and initial procurement of variant configurations of the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).
Authorizes development and procurement of a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) configuration designed to enhance patient care capabilities and survivability, including advanced telemedicine integration, expanded patient capacity, and increased operational reach.
Authorizes development and procurement of a special operations configuration tailored to the needs of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), including integration of advanced sensors, weapons systems, launched effects, and plug-and-play mission modules.
Requires that the medical evacuation and special operations variants be developed in coordination with relevant stakeholders, including the Army Medical Department and USSOCOM.
Requires the development timeline to enable rapid prototyping, user evaluation, and risk reduction before full-rate production.
Primary agencies affected are the Department of the Army and other Department of Defense stakeholders involved in the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft program. Army program and acquisition offices will plan and execute accelerated RDT&E, test, and initial procurement activities, while coordinating with operators, requirement authorities, and other services as needed. Defense contractors and suppliers that produce airframe components, avionics, medical equipment, and special-operations mission systems may see earlier or re-prioritized work to meet accelerated schedules; an emphasis on common parts may shift supplier scope toward shared components. Military aircrews, MEDEVAC teams, and special operations units are potential near-term beneficiaries if accelerated testing and initial purchases reduce fielding timelines. Because the provision forbids any new appropriations, acceleration must be funded from existing DoD/Army budgets, which could require reprogramming or reprioritization inside current accounts and might delay other activities if funds are limited. There is also programmatic risk: compressing schedules can increase technical and schedule risk and may require accepting higher near-term costs or tradeoffs to meet faster milestones. The 180-day report provides Congress an early opportunity to review impacts on cost, schedule, and readiness.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Last progress June 12, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 12, 2025 by Rafael Edward Cruz