Sponsors (2)
The bill raises aviation safety and public transparency for DoD ADS‑B Out transponders through quarterly testing and reporting, but it increases costs, administrative burdens, and may reduce aircraft availability for training or missions.
DoD aircrews and the flying public will have improved aviation safety because ADS‑B Out transponders must be tested and certified at least every 90 days.
Congress, taxpayers, and the public gain greater transparency and independent oversight of DoD transponder performance through semiannual reports for two years and required DoD Inspector General audits and recommendations.
Military units and personnel may face reduced aircraft availability for training or missions because more frequent testing could add workload and downtime for aircraft.
DoD will incur ongoing operational and maintenance costs to perform quarterly testing and certifications, increasing defense operating expenses borne by taxpayers.
DoD staff will face additional administrative burdens to collect, review, and report failure data and to support IG audits, increasing workload for federal employees.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires DoD to test and certify ADS‑B Out transponders on its aircraft every 90 days, report to Congress every 180 days for two years, and undergo IG audits at one and two years.
Introduced March 25, 2026 by Tom Barrett · Last progress March 25, 2026
Requires the Department of Defense to set uniform standards to test and certify ADS‑B Out transponder systems on DoD aircraft operating in U.S. airspace at least once every 90 days. It also requires DoD to report testing and any failures to Congress every 180 days for two years and directs the DoD Inspector General to audit compliance with the 90‑day testing rule within one year and again by two years, with the IG reporting results and whether the reporting/audit schedule should continue.