MACH Act

This bill lets NASA set up a program to offer test flights and other testing for high‑speed, hypersonic aircraft and related technologies. It focuses on research and testing only; the program may not pay to develop the technologies being tested. NASA must create a strategic plan within 60 days that fits with its existing hypersonics roadmap, and it must coordinate inside NASA and consult with the Defense Department and the FAA on testing and evaluation.

NASA must report within 90 days on the program and its plan, then give yearly updates on progress and the tests done and planned. The bill also blocks NASA from making agreements on these technologies with certain foreign entities or countries of concern, such as China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.

• Who is affected: NASA; aerospace companies and researchers who need testing for high‑speed aircraft; FAA and Defense are consulted.
• What changes: A new testing‑focused program; no funding for tech development; stronger research‑security limits.
• When: Strategic plan due 60 days after enactment; first report due 90 days after enactment; then annual reports.