This bill would create a Defense program called “SkyFoundry” to quickly design, test, and mass-produce small unmanned aircraft systems (drones). The program would run through the Army and sit within the Defense Industrial Resilience Consortium, using faster buying methods to speed up prototypes and fielding. It would include a government-run innovation hub for research and testing, and a separate government-run factory to build drones at scale—aiming for up to 1,000,000 units a year once fully set up . The program can bring in private companies, universities, and nonprofits as partners, and place expert contractors on mixed teams with military and civilian staff to move quickly .

The plan prioritizes using existing Army Depot sites, with at least two locations: one for innovation and one for production. The production site must meet specific size and location benchmarks. The Defense Department may renovate or build as needed, keep key intellectual property rights so the government can keep producing and improving systems, and use Defense Production Act tools to boost U.S. manufacturing of drones and related parts. The Department can also fast-track approvals and waive some internal rules to avoid slowdowns .

• Who is affected: Defense Department, Army facilities and workers, U.S. drone makers, universities, and nonprofits partnering on research and production .
• What changes: Creates a two-part, government-run program to rapidly develop and mass-produce small drones, using faster purchase paths, public–private partnerships, and strong government IP rights; targets very high output once established; uses Defense Production Act support .
• When: The Secretary of Defense is directed to set up the program and may expedite internal approvals to move quickly; no fixed start date is specified in the text .