Mike D. Rogers
Representative for Alabama · Republican · United States
“(8) An assessment of NATO's deterrence efforts in Romania, including a description and evaluation of-- (A) United States force posture in Romania, including any new rotations to Romania intended to enhance deterrence following the 2025 decision to end the rotational presence of a United States brigade; (B) consultations with NATO allies r…”
“(8) An assessment of NATO's deterrence efforts in Romania, including a description and evaluation of-- (A) United States force posture in Romania, including any new rotations to Romania intended to enhance deterrence following the 2025 decision to end the rotational presence of a United States brigade; (B) consultations with NATO allies r…”
“(a) Requirement for Risk-based Approach.--Section 3843 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 3843. Contractor business systems: monitoring and surveillance standards ``(a) Requirement for Risk-based Approach.--The Secretary shall implement an agile, streamlined risk-based approach to surveillance of contra…”
“(a) Requirement for Risk-based Approach.--Section 3843 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 3843. Contractor business systems: monitoring and surveillance standards ``(a) Requirement for Risk-based Approach.--The Secretary shall implement an agile, streamlined risk-based approach to surveillance of contra…”
“(b) Modification of Certain Certifications and Assessments.-- (1) Certifications.--Section 1249(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Public Law 119-60) is amended-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``The certification described'' and inserting following: ``(1) In general.--Except as prov…”
“(b) Objectives.--The Commander shall ensure that the Cognitive Performance Enhancement Program-- (1) improves readiness, resilience, and recovery, using evidence-based holistic and proactive high-performance brain training that has a validated ability to scale cost- effectively across the special operations forces enterprise; [[Page H4842…”
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Every one of 4,912 lines we hold for Mike D. Rogers, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 20 of 99.
“``(d) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Education.--The term `education' means any form of formal learning, including a high school diploma or its equivalent, a credential from a qualifying career or technical education program, an associate, baccalaureate, graduate, or professional degree, or industry-recognized certifications and apprenticeships. ``(2) Education requirement.--The term `education requirement' includes a requirement that can be met through-- ``(A) education alone; or ``(B) a combination of education and experience.''. (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: ``1599k. Skills-based hiring for civilian positions.''.”
“``(c) Exceptions.--Subsection (b) shall not apply to a position-- ``(1) for which a minimum education requirement is established by Federal statute; ``(2) in a recognized profession for which a minimum education requirement is necessary for professional licensure, certification, or accreditation by a recognized accrediting body, including positions in the fields of medicine, law, engineering, accounting, and other professions as determined by the Secretary; or ``(3) classified in a scientific or technical occupational series for which the Office of Personnel Management has established a positive education requirement that the Secretary determines is directly and specifically necessary for satisfactory performance of the duties of the position.”
“``(2) Sunset.--The authority to waive or remove a minimum education requirement under paragraph (1) shall expire on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027.”
“``(2) Qualification standards for a position shall be based on a job analysis that identifies the competencies, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education, if applicable, necessary to perform the essential duties of the position. ``(b) Use of Education Requirements.-- ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection (c), and consistent with paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Secretary may waive or remove a minimum education requirement as a mandatory qualification standard for appointment to a position based on a determination that the competencies required for the position may be demonstrated through relevant experience, apprenticeships, certifications, validated assessments, or other alternative qualifications.”
“Skills-based hiring for civilian positions ``(a) Framework for Skills-based Hiring.-- ``(1) The Secretary of Defense shall establish and implement a skills-based hiring framework for appointment to a position in the competitive service or the excepted service that-- ``(A) prioritizes the evaluation of applicants based on demonstrated competencies, skills, and relevant experience and validated assessments; and ``(B) permits applicants to qualify for positions through one or more pathways based on experience, training, apprenticeships, certifications, licenses, education, or other alternative credentials, as appropriate to the duties of the position.”
“Where such expenses are not paid or reimbursed, the amount of compensation or earned income shall be determined by subtracting the actual and necessary expenses incurred by the employee from any payment received for the activity. ``(5) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, the Secretary of Defense, in concurrence with the Office of Government Ethics, shall issue such regulations as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out this subsection.''. SEC. 1102. SKILLS-BASED HIRING FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CIVILIAN POSITIONS. (a) In General.--Chapter 81 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 1599k.”
“``(II) Income attributable to service with the military reserves or national guard. ``(III) Income from pensions and other continuing benefits attributable to previous employment or services. ``(IV) Income from investment activities where the individual's services are not a material factor in the production of income. ``(V) Copyright royalties, fees, and their functional equivalent, from the use or sale of copyright, patent and similar forms of intellectual property rights, when received from established users or purchasers of those rights. ``(VI) Actual and necessary expenses incurred by the employee in connection with an outside activity. Where such expenses are paid or reimbursed by another person, the amount of any such payment shall not be counted as compensation or outside earned income.”
“``(4) In this subsection-- ``(A) the term `covered employee' means-- ``(i) any special Government employee (as that term is defined in section 202 of title 18); ``(ii) an officer or employee who is serving without compensation; and ``(iii) any member of a reserve component of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force; ``(B) the term `designated agency ethics official' has the meaning given that term in section 13101 of title 5; and ``(C) the term `outside earned income'-- ``(i) means wages, salaries, honoraria, commissions, professional fees and any other form of compensation for services other than salary, benefits, and allowances paid by the United States Government; and ``(ii) does not include the following: ``(I) Items that may be accepted under applicable standards of conduct gift regulations if they were offered by a prohibited source.”
“``(2) Any determination under paragraph (1) shall be published on the public website of the Office of Government Ethics not later than 15 days after such determination is made. ``(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a covered employee who receives outside earned income shall file a public financial disclosure report pursuant section 13103(a) of title 5 not later than 30 days after receiving such income.”
“Section 131 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(e)(1) Any covered employee who is employed by, or detailed or otherwise assigned to, the Office of the Secretary of Defense may not receive any outside earned income during the period such individual is so employed, detailed, or assigned unless the individual notifies the relevant designated agency ethics official and such official reviews such income and issues a determination (in writing) that-- ``(A) the outside earned income received is unrelated to the duties the individual has performed or is expected to perform for the United States; and ``(B) the individual-- ``(i) does not have official business in front of the Department of Defense; and ``(ii) the individual is not working on behalf of, or representing, a foreign agent or government.”
“(c) Report.-- (1) Submission.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits the determination required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the implementation of this section. Such report shall include the following: (A) An assessment of the effect of such determination, including with respect to personnel, training, and resourcing. (B) A description of any revisions to materials made pursuant to subsection (b)(2). (2) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in an unclassified form but may contain a classified annex. TITLE XI--CIVILIAN PERSONNEL SEC. 1101. LIMITATION ON OUTSIDE INCOME FOR INDIVIDUALS IN OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.”
“(b) Effect of Positive Determination.--If the Secretary of Defense determines to make the designation specified under subsection (b), the Secretary shall-- (1) revise any applicable guidance, directive, instruction, publication, or doctrine of the Department to reflect such designation, including by directing the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to revise the Joint Concept for Operating in the Information Environment and other relevant joint doctrine and publications, to reflect such designation; (2) ensure that planning, programming, budgeting, and execution processes treat information as a mission-essential consideration in operational planning, rather than solely as a supporting effect; (3) establish or strengthen career fields, professional military education, and training pipelines for personnel assigned to information domain functions, including with respect to-- (A) military information support operations; (B) electronic warfare; (C) public affairs; (D) intelligence support to information operations; and (E) cyber operations functions that contribute to information effects; and (4) improve the integration of cyber operations, electronic warfare, intelligence, and psychological operations capabilities in support of information-domain objectives and reduce redundancy across such operations.”
“(a) Determination Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a determination as to whether to designate information as a domain of warfare of the Department of Defense.”
“(c) Definitions.--In this section: (1) The term ``digital force protection'' means the policies, tools, and practices used to protect military personnel, operations, and critical assets from adversarial exploitation of the commercial digital surveillance economy, associated commercial data, and digital footprints. (2) The term ``ubiquitous technical surveillance'' means persistent, networked, or commercially-enabled technical means used to detect, identify, track, exploit, or monitor personnel, operations, equipment, or digital activities. SEC. 1099. POTENTIAL DESIGNATION OF INFORMATION AS A DOMAIN OF WARFARE.”
“(2) Program of record.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a plan to establish a program of record to meet counter-ubiquitous technical surveillance and digital force protection needs across the Department of Defense. (b) Report.--Not later than December 1, 2027, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes-- (1) the plan and strategy developed pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(B); and (2) the identification of the organization of the Department of Defense that has been designated under subsection (a)(1).”
“SEC. 1098. UBIQUITOUS TECHNICAL SURVEILLANCE AND DIGITAL FORCE PROTECTION. (a) Ubiquitous Technical Surveillance Functions.-- (1) Responsibility.--Not later than April 1, 2027, the Secretary of Defense shall designate the head of an organization of the Department of Defense who shall be responsible for-- (A) coordinating and directing the identification of vulnerabilities with respect to ubiquitous technical surveillance; (B) developing a plan and strategy for research, development, and procurement of secure communications and obfuscation technologies; and [[Page H4848]] (C) developing ubiquitous technical surveillance training and techniques to enhance digital force protection.”
“127d note) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c): ``(c) Oversight and Direction.--If the Secretary establishes an Irregular Warfare Exercise Laboratory under subsection (a)-- ``(1) such laboratory shall operate under the strategic oversight and policy coordination of the Irregular Warfare Center of the Department of Defense; and ``(2) the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, acting through the Director of the Irregular Warfare Center, shall exercise authority, direction, and control over such laboratory to-- ``(A) provide policy guidance and integration direction for all activities of the laboratory; ``(B) ensure the alignment of laboratory initiatives with Department-wide irregular warfare strategy and campaigning objectives; and ``(C) prioritize the development of laboratory capabilities in accordance with the most recent national defense strategy under section 113(g) of title 10, United States Code.''.”
“``(b) Authorized Legal Services.--Such legal services-- ``(1) may be provided only by a judge advocate or a technician attorney who is a member of the bar of a Federal court or of the highest court of a State, and ``(2) must be within the scope of authorized duties as prescribed by the Secretary concerned.''. SEC. 1097. OVERSIGHT AND DIRECTION OF IRREGULAR WARFARE EXERCISE LABORATORY. Section 1094 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Public Law 119-60; 139 Stat. 1066; 10 U.S.C.”
“MODIFICATION TO FUNDING LIMITATION FOR PROCUREMENT OF EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DRUG INTERDICTION AND COUNTER-DRUG ACTIVITIES. Section 112(a)(3) of title 32, United States Code, is amended by striking ``$15,000'' and inserting ``$25,000''. SEC. 1096. NATIONAL GUARD ATTORNEY LICENSE PORTABILITY. Chapter 3 of title 32, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 329 the following new section: ``Sec. 330. Attorney license portability ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any law regarding the licensure of attorneys, a judge advocate or technician attorney performing duties under this title may provide legal services in any jurisdiction in support of National Guard training or operations, subject to such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force, as the case may be.”
“DEFINITION OF COUNTER-SUAS SYSTEM FOR PURPOSES OF JOINT INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE 401. Section 199(h)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``detecting, identifying, monitoring, tracking,'' after ``lawfully and safely''. SEC. 1094. INCREASE IN CAP FOR SUPPORT OF SMALL SCALE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OF FOREIGN PARTNERS IN SUPPORT OF COUNTERDRUG ACTIVITIES AND ACTIVITIES TO COUNTER TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME. (a) Increase in Cap.--Subsection (i)(3) of section 284 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ``$1,000,000'' and inserting ``$2,000,000''. (b) Technical Correction Relating to Congressional Notification Requirements.--Subsection (h)(1)(B) of such section is amended by inserting ``minor military construction or'' after ``any''. SEC. 1095.”
“DEEMING REFERENCES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AS REFERENCES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR AND SECRETARY OF WAR. Chapter 1 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 103. References to the Secretary of Defense and the Department of Defense ``Any reference to the Secretary of Defense or Department of Defense in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be deemed to be a reference to the Secretary of War or Department of War, respectively.''. SEC. 1092. DEFINITION OF SPECIAL OPERATIONS ACTIVITIES. Section 167(k)(6) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ``Military information support operations'' and inserting ``Psychological and cognitive warfare''. SEC. 1093.”
“(a) In General.--Upon the conclusion of the Department of Defense investigation into the attack on Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, that occurred on March 1, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall transmit to the congressional defense committees the following information: (1) All findings of the investigation. (2) Any remedial actions taken as a result of the findings. (3) A detailed description of the conduct of the investigation. (b) Form of Submission; Availability.--The information required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex. The Secretary shall make the unclassified version of the findings publicly available on an appropriate website of the Department. Subtitle F--Other Matters SEC. 1091.”
“(a) Report Required.--Not later than 30 days after the completion of the civilian harm investigation of the Department of Defense with respect to the strike on Minab, Iran, that occurred on February 28, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of such investigation. (b) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex. (c) Public Availability.--The Secretary of Defense shall make publicly available the unclassified portion of the report required under subsection (a). SEC. 1089H. REPORT ON PORT SHUAIBA INVESTIGATION.”
“(4) An assessment of the overall effects that damage to infrastructure during such military operations has had on theater readiness, including any plans to not repair or rebuild United States infrastructure in the region in which such military operations were conducted. (5) All costs related to the unplanned deployments and mobilizations of additional members of the Armed Forces and military assets for such military operations. (c) Form.--The report required under this section shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. The Secretary shall make the unclassified report publicly available on an appropriate website of the Department of Defense. SEC. 1089G. REPORT ON CIVILIAN HARM INVESTIGATION RELATING TO SHAJAREH TAYYEBEH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.”
“(b) Total Financial Cost.--In this section, the total financial cost shall include any funds of the Department of Defense obligated or expended for the operation, including the following: (1) A full inventory and replacement value of all United States military aircraft, naval vessels, drones, and other significant equipment damaged or destroyed during such military operations. (2) The total cost and quantity of all weapons, missiles, and munitions expended during such military operations and replacement costs. (3) A comprehensive assessment of the costs associated with repairing or rebuilding United States military installations, facilities, and infrastructure damaged or destroyed during such military operations.”
“(a) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, and quarterly thereafter until 180 days after the conclusion of Operation Southern Spear (or any successor operation), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes the total financial cost (as described in subsection (b)) of the military operations carried out under Operation Southern Spear. The initial report shall include the period beginning on January 20, 2025, and ending on the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section.”
“(F) All costs related to the unplanned deployments and mobilizations of additional members of a covered Armed Force and military assets for such military operations and the costs associated with the enforcement of the maritime blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. (2) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. The Secretary shall post the unclassified report on a publicly available and appropriate website of the Department of Defense. (b) Covered Armed Force Defined.--The term ``covered Armed Force'' means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force. SEC. 1089F. REPORT ON OPERATION SOUTHERN SPEAR.”
“(B) The total cost and quantity of all weapons, missiles, and munitions expended during such military operations and replacement costs. (C) A comprehensive assessment of the costs associated with repairing or rebuilding United States military bases and facilities damaged or destroyed during such military operations and the extent to which infrastructure was damaged or destroyed during such military operations. (D) For any military base or facility or infrastructure identified under subparagraph (C), the location of the base, facility, or infrastructure. (E) An assessment of the overall effects that damage to infrastructure during such military operations has had on theater readiness, including any plans to not repair or rebuild United States infrastructure in the region.”
“(a) Report Required.-- (1) In general.--Not later than April 1, 2027, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes the total financial cost to the United States of the military operations carried out in Iran during the period beginning on February 28, 2026, and ending on the date that is 30 days before the date of the submission of the report. Such total financial cost shall include the costs associated with damaged or destroyed infrastructure of the United States. The report shall include the following: (A) A full inventory and replacement valuation of all United States military aircraft, naval vessels, drones, and other significant equipment damaged or destroyed during such military operations.”
“(3) Form.--The report required in paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include an classified annex. SEC. 1089D. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF FINDINGS OF INSPECTOR GENERAL INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN TARGETING OPERATIONS. Not later than 90 days after completion of the Evaluation of United States Southern Command Joint Targeting Cycle initiated by the Inspector General of the Department of Defense concerning targeting operations in the area of operations of United States Southern Command, the Secretary of Defense shall make publicly available an unclassified summary of the findings of the evaluation, including findings with respect to-- (1) whether the Joint Targeting Cycle was followed; and (2) recommendations for corrective actions. [[Page H4847]] SEC. 1089E. REPORT ON COST OF UNITED STATES MILITARY OPERATIONS IN IRAN.”
“(2) Contents of report.--The report required in paragraph (1) shall include-- (A) an assessment of the current command authority structure under Department of Defense Directive 3600.01 as it applies to the planning, approval, and execution of tactical information operations, including an assessment of existing operational bottlenecks and their impact on the speed and effectiveness of information operations; (B) an evaluation of the feasibility of delegating authority to approve and execute tactical information operations to commanders at specified rank levels below combatant commander, including the O-6 (colonel or Navy captain) level, or other appropriate levels as determined by the Secretary of Defense; (C) For each delegation option evaluated under subparagraph (B), an assessment of-- (i) the potential benefits, including improvements in operational speed, responsiveness, and effectiveness; (ii) the potential risks, including risks related to escalation, foreign policy implications, legal compliance, consistency with strategic narratives, and unintended consequences; (iii) the mechanisms and safeguards that would be necessary to ensure that tactical information operations executed by lower-level commanders remain consistent with higher-level strategic objectives and narratives established by Combatant Commanders and the Secretary of Defense; (iv) the training, education, and personnel requirements necessary to prepare lower-level commanders to exercise information operations authority effectively and responsibly; (v) the legal authorities and any statutory or regulatory changes that would be required to implement the delegation; (vi) the oversight mechanisms that would be required to maintain the visibility of the combatant commander and Secretary of Defense into tactical information operations conducted pursuant to delegated authority; and (vii) the estimated costs and resource implications of implementing the delegation; (D) an examination of analogous delegation models in other operational domains, including fire support, electronic warfare, and cyber operations, to identify lessons learned and best practices applicable to information operations; (E) an assessment of the experiences of allied and partner nations that have implemented delegation of tactical information operations authority to lower-level commanders, to the extent practicable; (F) an evaluation of whether the current bottleneck in tactical information operations approval could be addressed through means other than formal authority delegation, including-- (i) dedicated information operations staff augmentation at the level of the combatant commander; (ii) predelegated authorities for specific, preapproved categories of tactical information operations activities; (iii) streamlined approval processes and standing execution orders; and (iv) improved interoperability and communication systems to reduce approval timelines; (G) an identification and assessment of any legal, policy, or operational constraints that would prevent or limit the feasibility of delegating tactical information operations authority; and (H) the assessment of Secretary of Defense of whether revision of Department of Defense Directive 3600.01 to delegate tactical information operations authority to lower- level commanders is feasible, advisable, and in the interest of the Department of Defense.”
“(6) Before directing any revision to Department of Defense Directive 3600.01, Congress should have the benefit of a thorough and expert assessment of the feasibility, benefits, risks, and implementation requirements of delegating tactical information operations authority to lower-level commanders. (b) Report Required.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the feasibility of revising Department of Defense Directive 3600.01 to delegate authority to approve and execute tactical information operations to commanders below the level of the combatant commander.”
“(4) In other operational domains, commanders at the O-6 level and below routinely exercise authority to execute tactical actions within strategic frameworks approved by higher-level commanders. A similar model may be feasible and beneficial for tactical information operations. (5) At the same time, information operations carry unique risks, including potential foreign policy, legal, and escalatory implications, that may counsel retaining significant oversight at senior command levels. Any delegation of authority must be carefully calibrated to preserve appropriate oversight while reducing operational bottlenecks.”
“(2) Department of Defense Directive 3600.01, ``Information Operations'', currently designates Combatant Commanders at the four-star and flag officer level as the principal authorities for integrating, synchronizing, employing, and adapting information-related capabilities and for developing, planning, programming, and assessing information operations. (3) The concentration of tactical information operations approval authority at the Combatant Commander level creates operational bottlenecks, as those officers bear responsibility for the full range of joint force activities and may be unable to respond to tactical information operations requirements with the speed demanded by the information environment.”
“(c) Preference for Commercial Products.--In developing the strategy under subsection (a), the Secretary shall leverage commercially available solutions to the maximum extent practicable. (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after the development of the strategy required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the strategy. SEC. 1089C. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON TACTICAL INFORMATION OPERATIONS COMMAND AUTHORITY. (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings: (1) Information operations must be ongoing, iterative, and responsive to rapidly evolving conditions in the information environment. Narratives and messaging that are effective at one point in time can quickly become outdated or counterproductive as the information environment changes.”
“(4) An evaluation of acceptable loss rates, replacement speed, scale of employment, and integration timelines for unmanned aircraft systems. (5) A plan for coordinating among, and drafting requirements for, each of the military departments and combatant commands with respect to the use of low-cost and attritable unmanned aircraft systems for contested logistics, as appropriate. (6) A plan to synchronize research, development, prototyping, and acquisition activities related to such systems. (7) A transition plan for the operational fielding by the joint force of Group 4 and 5 unmanned aircraft systems for contested logistics operations. (8) An evaluation of commercially available innovative solutions that could be used to enhance the effectiveness of the Armed Forces and the response of the Department of Defense to emerging threats.”
“(b) Requirements for Strategy.--The strategy under subsection (a) shall include each of the following: (1) An assessment of current and projected lift capabilities required for contested logistics operations, specifically focusing on identifying-- (A) the limitations of existing platforms; and (B) mission sets for which the use of Group 4 and 5 unmanned aircraft systems would reduce risk. (2) An assessment of the challenges presented by communications degradation in contested logistics operations and how unmanned aircraft systems could be integrated into mission sets identified under paragraph (1)(B) to solve capability gaps. (3) A review of performance specifications, including payload capacity and range, that are required to complete the mission sets identified under paragraph (1)(B).”
“STRATEGY FOR USE OF LOW-COST AND ATTRITABLE GROUP 4 AND 5 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS IN CONTESTED LOGISTICS OPERATIONS. (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, shall develop a strategy for the use of low-cost and attritable Group 4 and 5 unmanned aircraft systems in contested logistics operations.”
“(c) Updates.--On a basis that is not less frequent than once every two years, the Secretary of Defense shall update the strategy under subsection (a). (d) Submission to Congress.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense completes the strategy under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees such strategy. (e) Definitions.--In this section: (1) The term ``covered unmanned aircraft'' means any unmanned aircraft categorized as Group 1, Group 2, or Group 3 pursuant to the Joint Publication 3-30 of the Department of Defense, titled ``Joint Air Operations'' and dated July 25, 2019, or such successor publication. (2) The terms ``unmanned aircraft'' and ``unmanned aircraft system'' have the meanings given such terms in section 130i of title 10, United States Code. SEC. 1089B.”
“[[Page H4846]] (2) A plan to ensure the batteries of fielded covered unmanned aircraft systems are fully functional and charged, including a strategy for charging such batteries in extreme and austere environments. (3) Metrics to assess the readiness of fielded covered unmanned aircraft systems and associated components. (4) An identification of the command level, unit level, or other organizational level responsible for ensuring such readiness. (5) A plan to ensure standardized training for the use of covered unmanned aircraft systems and the sustainment of such systems across the military departments. (6) A strategy for the repair of fielded covered unmanned aircraft systems, including for field-level maintenance, as appropriate.”
“(a) Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall develop a strategy for the sustainment of covered unmanned aircraft systems. Such strategy shall address, and differentiate between, stockpiled covered unmanned aircraft systems and covered unmanned aircraft systems in use on a more frequent basis. (b) Elements.--The strategy under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A plan to ensure continuous software updates for fielded covered unmanned aircraft systems across the military departments, including any such updates relating to-- (A) operating systems; (B) autonomy and other capabilities enabled by artificial intelligence and machine learning; or (C) automatic target recognition.”
“Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group shall develop a military doctrine for the deployment of unmanned autonomous systems and formations composed of such unmanned autonomous systems. Such doctrine shall address the following: (1) Concepts for the operational use of such systems and formations. (2) Tactics, techniques, and procedures for such use. (3) Force structure requirements relating to such systems and formations. (4) Plans for the sustainment and maintenance of such systems and formations. (5) Compliance with safety and legal requirements with respect to the use of such systems and formations. (6) Such other matters as the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group may determine relevant. SEC. 1089A. STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINMENT OF CERTAIN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.”
“(7) An assessment of opportunities to expand mobility capability and capacity through commercial aviation capabilities, including-- (A) the expansion of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet; (B) the establishment of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet tanker capability; (C) the commercial operation of excess, transitioned, or Government-owned strategic airlift and tanker aircraft; (D) the use of service-based acquisition models such as mobility-as-a-service or effects-as-a-service; and (E) the role of nonprime aviation companies in enabling the building of the future mobility enterprise. (c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. SEC. 1089. REQUIRED DOCTRINE ON USE OF UNMANNED AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS AND AUTONOMOUS FORMATIONS.”
“(6) An assessment of command and control architecture required to support mobility operations in contested environments, including-- (A) the use of maneuver battle management using technologies such as artificial intelligence, algorithmic allocation systems, and advanced data architectures to integrate logistics, maneuver, and mobility operations across the Joint Force; and (B) integration of distributed traditional air battle management capabilities within mobility forces.”
“(5) An evaluation of future airlift capabilities across mission scales, including-- (A) autonomous airlift platforms supporting small and tactical missions; (B) the establishment of a distributed maneuver pool composed of autonomous and highly automated mobility platforms capable of supporting maneuvering units and distributed operations, with mobility capabilities owned or controlled by lower-echelon multi-service operational units and integrated into the broader mobility enterprise; (C) improved and automated tactical and operational airlift capabilities supporting maneuver and distributed operations; (D) new and improved strategic airlift capabilities supporting global force flow and theater reinforcement, including the development of a next-generation strategic airlifter to augment or replace the C-17 aircraft and establishing a new standard for military airlift through improved capability, capacity, survivability, connectivity, automation, and operational flexibility; (E) oversized and large-volume airlift systems; (F) vertical takeoff and landing and short-field takeoff and landing airlift platforms supporting multi-service agility and distributed operations; (G) delivery systems, including automated airdrop, glider, towable, and hybrid aircraft logistics platforms; and (H) opportunities to expand airlift capacity through commercial operation of strategic airlift aircraft, Civil Reserve Air Fleet participation, and service-based acquisition models such as effects-as-a-service.”
“(4) An evaluation of future tanker capabilities, including-- (A) collaborative tanker aircraft supporting collaborative, distant, and distributed refueling operation in contested environments; (B) penetrating stealth tanker aircraft capable of operating in highly contested environments; (C) low-signature tanker concepts, including blended-wing body tanker aircraft; (D) tactical tanker aircraft capable of supporting distributed tanker and airlift operations; (E) modernization of legacy tanker aircraft through connectivity and full automation; (F) tanker aircraft designed with open architecture and multi-role capability, enabling complementary missions including electronic warfare, battle management, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities; (G) opportunities to expand tanker capacity through commercial tanker constructs including Government owned, contractor operated; and (H) the establishment of a Civil Reserve Air Fleet tanker capability that would enable the commercial operation of tanker aircraft to provide immediate and dependable augmentation of United States tanker capacity.”
“(3) An identification of the attributes required of future mobility forces, including-- (A) secure beyond line-of-sight connectivity with-- (i) service and joint data links; (ii) service and joint battle management networks; and (iii) service and joint command and control network; (B) automation and autonomous aviation capabilities; (C) the ability to operate across the full spectrum of threat environments; (D) flexibility across the full scale of mobility missions, including small and distributed missions, tactical, operational, and strategic missions, and oversized and large- volume movements; (E) the ability to operate from runway-agnostic and degraded operating locations; (F) fuel-resilient aviation concepts, including aircraft capable of operating on traditional fuels and emerging propulsion systems, such as electric, hybrid-electric, and hydrogen; (G) consideration of aircraft designed with open architecture enabling rapid integration of mission systems including palletized effects, electronic warfare, battle management, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities; and (H) signature management capabilities that enable mobility aircraft to operate globally while maintaining operational security, including the ability to comply with international aviation safety requirements while limiting exposure of aircraft identity, position, and mission information through publicly accessible tracking systems or other unclassified means.”
“(2) An assessment of current mobility force, including-- (A) the ability of Air Mobility Command to support the requirements of all of the Armed Forces in competition, crisis, and conflict; (B) the ability of Air Mobility Command to support agility concepts for all of the Armed Forces simultaneously in conflict, including agile combat employment, multi-domain task force operations, expeditionary advanced base operations, and distributed maritime operations; (C) the vulnerability of mobility forces, mobility infrastructure, and global logistics networks in contested environments; and (D) the degree to which existing mobility capability and capacity meet homeland defense priorities, nuclear mission obligations, and simultaneous global operational demands.”
“(b) Elements.--The plan required by subsection (a) shall include each of the following: (1) An operational environment assessment of-- (A) contested operations across all domains over great distances; (B) contested lines of communication extending from the United States to operational theaters; (C) adversary capabilities designed to target United States mobility forces, mobility infrastructure, and logistics networks; and (D) the requirement for mobility forces to operate in degraded, contested, and highly contested environments including austere locations, battle-damaged airfields, degraded runways, ramps, taxiways, and other runway agnostic operating environments.”
“(a) In General.--Not later than January 1, 2027, the Secretary of the Air Force, in coordination with the Commander of the United States Transportation Command and in consultation with the commanders of each of the geographic combatant commands, shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes a comprehensive and detailed strategic plan for the development, acquisition, modernization, and integration of mobility capabilities of the Department of Defense through fiscal year 2047.”