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TITLE V--AERONAUTICS
SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Advanced air mobility; aam.--The terms ``advanced air
mobility'' and ``AAM'' mean a transportation system that is
comprised of urban air mobility and regional air mobility using
manned or unmanned aircraft.
(2) Regional air mobility.--The term ``regional air
mobility'' means the movement of passengers or property by air
between 2 points using an airworthy aircraft that--
(A) has advanced technologies, such as distributed
propulsion, vertical takeoff and landing, powered lift,
nontraditional power systems, or autonomous
technologies;
(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of greater than
1,320 pounds; and
(C) is not urban air mobility.
(3) Unmanned aircraft.--The term ``unmanned aircraft''
means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of
direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.
(4) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``unmanned aircraft
system'' means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements
(including communication links and the components that control
the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to
operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.
(5) Urban air mobility.--The term ``urban air mobility''
means the movement of passengers or property by air between 2
points in different cities or 2 points within the same city
using an airworthy aircraft that--
(A) has advanced technologies, such as distributed
propulsion, vertical takeoff and landing, powered lift,
nontraditional power systems, or autonomous
technologies; and
(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of greater than
1,320 pounds.
(6) UTM.--The term ``UTM'' means an unmanned aircraft
system traffic management system or service.
SEC. 502. EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS.
(a) Study.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with industry and
academia, shall conduct a study of NASA's administration of past and
ongoing NASA experimental aircraft demonstrator projects.
(b) Future Demonstrations.--The study under subsection (a) shall
include an identification of flight research activities, systems,
capabilities, and technologies that could be viable candidates for
experimental aircraft demonstrator projects. Such activities, systems,
capabilities, and technologies may include technological advancements
related to structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, controls, and
autonomous capabilities. The study shall include a description of
criteria and performance metrics used to determine the readiness of an
activity, system, capability, or technology for incorporation into an
experimental aircraft demonstrator project.
(c) Lessons Learned.--The study under subsection (a) also shall
include an assessment of lessons learned from NASA's administration of
past and ongoing experimental aircraft demonstration projects over the
last decade, including the projects set forth under section 10831 of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of
2022 (Public Law 117-167). Such assessment shall include--
(1) a quantitative assessment of each experimental aircraft
demonstration project's ability to meet cost, schedule and
performance goals, as defined at the time of project
confirmation;
(2) the extent to which each project's objectives or
performance goals were changed or descoped, and the rationale
for such change or descoping;
(3) the extent to which the system, capability, or
technology that was the subject of each project was matured as
a result of its demonstration on an experimental aircraft
demonstrator; and
(4) the extent to which each project has contributed, or is
likely to contribute in the future, to advancing the
capabilities of and innovation in the United States aircraft
and aviation industries.
SEC. 503. HYPERSONICS RESEARCH.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) basic and applied hypersonics research--
(A) is critical for enabling the development of
advanced high-speed aeronautical and space systems; and
(B) can improve understanding of technical
challenges related to high-speed and reusable vehicle
technologies, including those related to propulsion,
noise, advanced materials, and entry, descent, and
landing operations;
(2) investments in hypersonics research are critical to
sustaining United States global leadership in space and
aeronautics; and
(3) NASA efforts to study hypersonics research should
complement research supported by the Department of Defense and,
when appropriate, be conducted in partnership with universities
and industry.
(b) Hypersonics Research.--The Administrator, in coordination with
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the
Secretary of the Department of Defense, and in consultation with
industry and academia, shall continue to carry out basic and applied
hypersonics research.
(c) Hypersonics Research Roadmap.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration and the Secretary of the Department of Defense, and with
industry and academic institutions, shall update the hypersonics
research roadmap required under section 603 of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public
Law 115-10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note). In updating the research roadmap,
the Administrator may consider advancements in--
(1) system level design, analysis, and validation of
hypersonics aircraft technologies;
(2) propulsion capabilities and technologies;
(3) vehicle technologies, including vehicle flow physics
and vehicle thermal management associated with aerodynamic
heating;
(4) advanced materials, including materials capable of
withstanding high temperatures and demonstrating durable
materials, and efforts to create models and simulate use of
such materials; and
(5) other areas of hypersonics research as determined
appropriate by the Administrator.
(d) Report and Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--
(1) transmit the updated research roadmap under subsection
(c) to the appropriate committees of Congress; and
(2) provide a briefing on the research conducted under
subsection (b), including how such research aligns with the
updated research roadmap under subsection (c).
SEC. 504. ADVANCED MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act
and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the status of NASA
activities pursuant to subsections (e) and (f) of section 10831 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022
(Public Law 117-167; 51 U.S.C. 40102 note; relating to the advanced
materials and manufacturing technology program and research
partnerships, respectively), as well as other NASA activities.
SEC. 505. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AND ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY.
(a) Finding.--Congress finds that research and development related
to autonomous aviation is vital to ensure United States competitiveness
as the National Airspace System evolves from trajectory-based
operations to collaborative and highly automated operations.
(b) Collaboration.--The Administrator shall, in collaboration with
the Administrator of Federal Aviation Administration, the heads of
other relevant Federal agencies, and appropriate representatives of
academia and industry, continue its research on unmanned aircraft
systems and advanced air mobility, including research related to UTM
and autonomous capabilities, as practicable.
(c) Brief.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on the progress of the research under subsection
(b).
SEC. 506. ADVANCED CAPABILITIES FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE OPERATIONS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall leverage NASA-developed
tools and technologies to conduct research and development activities
under the Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations
(ACERO) project, or appropriate successor project or projects, to
improve aerial responses to wildfires.
(b) Goals.--The research and development activities conducted under
subsection (a) may include the following:
(1) Advanced aircraft technologies and airspace management
efforts to assist in the management, deconfliction, and
coordination of aerial assets during wildfire response efforts.
(2) Information sharing and real-time data exchange for
wildfire response teams.
(3) Development of an interoperable platform to provide
situational awareness of aerial assets during wildfire
response.
(4) Establishment of a multi-agency concept of operations,
which may involve Federal, State, and local government
agencies, to enable coordination of aerial activities for
wildfire response.
(c) Collaboration.--In carrying out this section, the
Administrator--
(1) may coordinate and collaborate with other Federal,
State, and local government agencies, regional organizations,
and commercial partners and academic institutions involved in
wildfire management; and
(2) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, consult with
the heads of other Federal departments and agencies to avoid
duplication of activities.
(d) Prohibition.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in this subsection, the
Administrator may not procure an unmanned aircraft system to
conduct activities described in this section if such unmanned
aircraft system is manufactured or assembled by a covered
foreign entity.
(2) Exemption.--The Administrator may waive the prohibition
under paragraph (1) on a case-by-case basis if the
Administrator--
(A) determines that the procurement of an unmanned
aircraft system is--
(i) in the national interest of the United
States; and
(ii) necessary for the sole purpose of
improving aerial responses to wildfires; and
(B) notifies the appropriate committees of Congress
not later than 30 days after a determination in the
affirmative under subparagraph (A).
(e) Annual Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter until December 31, 2031,
the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report describing the activities, including results, carried
out pursuant to this section. Each such report, at minimum, shall
contain the following:
(1) A description of any research and development
activities.
(2) A description of the Administrator's activities
pursuant to subsection (c).
(3) An identification of any topics related to improvement
of aerial responses to wildfires that could benefit from
further research.
(4) A description of any continuing efforts under this
section.
(5) Any other information determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
(f) Definition.--In this section, the term ``covered foreign
entity'' has the meaning given such term in section 1832 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law
118-31).
SEC. 507. HYDROGEN AVIATION.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations for
such purpose, and taking into consideration the strategy developed
under and research conducted pursuant to section 1019 of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-63), the Administrator may
carry out research on emerging technologies related to hydrogen
aviation.
(b) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on NASA research activities
under subsection (a) and any associated findings.
SEC. 508. HIGH-PERFORMANCE CHASE AIRCRAFT.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) NASA programs benefit from and rely upon high-
performance chase aircraft for providing research and mission
support; and
(2) NASA currently faces maintenance challenges related to
its aging high-performance aircraft fleet, which is resulting
in increased program costs.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act and biannually thereafter, the Administrator
shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on
the strategy of NASA relating to the following:
(1) Collaboration with the Department of Defense on efforts
for research and flight asset sharing to support NASA's
research mission support and pilot training requirements.
(2) Efforts to seek aircraft parts and engines to keep
NASA's current fleet of chase aircraft operational, including
potential use of 3D additive manufactured parts.
(3) Strategies for acquiring or using through loan,
sharing, or other agreements, as appropriate, Department of
Defense aircraft to support NASA's research and mission support
activities, as required.
SEC. 509. COLLABORATION WITH ACADEMIA.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) colleges and universities are hubs of research and
innovation, with expertise in various fields of science and
aeronautics;
(2) collaborating with academia allows NASA to access
cutting-edge research and expertise that can further enable
advancements in aeronautics research and technology and address
complex aeronautical challenges;
(3) a cutting-edge civil aeronautics research and
development program can inspire the next generation to pursue
education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics, including aeronautics; and
(4) opportunities for students to participate in NASA-
supported academic research and development projects, such as
the University Leadership Initiative, the University Students
Research Challenge, and related aeronautic projects and
competitions, contributes to training the next generation and
developing the aeronautics workforce to support continued
United States leadership and economic growth in civil
aeronautics and aviation.
SEC. 510. DECADAL SURVEY FOR NATIONAL AERONAUTICS RESEARCH.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) engaging the science and engineering communities, along
with industry, through the development of a National Academies
of Science, Engineering, and Medicine decadal survey in
aeronautics research and development can provide a science and
engineering community consensus on key research and development
priorities in national civil aeronautics programs;
(2) a decadal survey--
(A) entails a comprehensive review of and strategy
and priorities for civil national aeronautics research
and development; and
(B) prioritizes such research and development for
the next decade; and
(3) a decadal survey for civil aeronautics research and
development can serve as a guiding framework for NASA's and
other relevant Federal agencies' strategic planning and
resource allocation in the field of civil aeronautics research
and development for the coming decade.
(b) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) in title 51, United States Code, sections addressing
NASA's decadal surveys for aeronautics research include
sections 20305 and 40703; and
(2) the most recent National Academies' Decadal Survey of
Civil Aeronautics was published in 2006.
(c) Study.--In accordance with section 20305 of title 51, United
States Code, the Administrator, in consultation with the heads of other
relevant Federal Government agencies, as appropriate, shall enter into
an arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
and Medicine to conduct a decadal survey of civil aeronautics research
for the 2026 through 2036 decade. The survey shall recommend research
and programmatic priorities to sustain United States leadership in
civil aeronautics research and development and support a safe and
sustainable future for aviation. The survey may also include
recommendations for the following:
(1) Enabling innovation.
(2) Ensuring a world-class workforce for aeronautics
research and development and related United States commercial
industries and activities.
(3) The dissemination and transition of such research and
development to the United States commercial aviation and
aircraft industries.
(d) Transmittal.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress the results of such survey,
including any recommendations.
SEC. 511. MAKING ADVANCEMENTS IN COMMERCIAL HYPERSONICS.
(a) In General.--In conducting the hypersonics research in
accordance with section 40112(d) of title 51, United States Code, the
Administrator may establish the Making Advancements in Commercial
Hypersonics Program (in this section referred to as the ``Program''),
which shall facilitate opportunities for testing of high-speed aircraft
and other technologies that advance scientific research and technology
development related to hypersonic aircraft.
(b) Limitation.--The Program under subsection (a) shall not fund
the development of technologies that are supported by such testing
opportunities.
(c) Plan.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Administrator, acting through the Aeronautics Research
Mission Directorate, shall develop a strategic plan for activities
under subsection (a) that aligns with the research roadmap under
section 503 of this Act.
(d) Coordination, Consultation and Collaboration.--
(1) The Administrator shall ensure coordination between the
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and other Mission
Directorates, as appropriate, to identify technologies eligible
for testing opportunities under the Program.
(2) The Administrator shall consult and seek to collaborate
with, as appropriate, with the Secretary of Defense and the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration on
activities related to the Program, including development,
testing, and evaluation of high-speed aircraft and related
technologies.
(e) Report.--The Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress, and the Committee on Armed Services of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Armed Services of the
Senate--
(1) not later than 80 days after the date of the enactment
of this section, a report that--
(A) describes activities of the program established
under subsection (a); and
(B) includes the strategic plan produced under
subsection (c); and
(2) not later than one year after the date of the enactment
of this Act and annually thereafter, a report describing
progress in carrying out the program, including the number and
type of testing opportunities executed in the previous fiscal
year and planned for the upcoming fiscal year.
(f) Research Security.--Nothing under this section authorizes the
Administrator to develop, implement, or execute an agreement related to
technologies under this section with any entity of concern, a foreign
business entity, or a foreign country of concern.
(g) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) Entity of concern.--The term ``entity of concern'' has
the meaning given such term in section 10114 of the Research
and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Public Law
117-167; 42 U.S.C. 18912).
(2) Foreign business entity.--The term ``foreign business
entity'' means an entity that is majority-owned or majority-
controlled (as such term is defined in section 800.208 of title
31, Code of Federal Regulations, or a successor regulation), or
minority owned greater than 25 percent by--
(A) any governmental organization of a foreign
country of concern; or
(B) any other entity that is--
(i) known to be owned or controlled by any
governmental organization of a foreign country
of concern; or
(ii) organized under, or otherwise subject
to, the laws of a foreign country of concern.
(3) Foreign country of concern.--The term ``foreign country
of concern'' has the meaning given such term in section 9901 of
title XCIX of division H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15
U.S.C. 4651).
(4) High-speed aircraft.--The term ``high-speed aircraft''
means an aircraft operating at speeds in excess of Mach 1,
including supersonic and hypersonic aircraft.
(5) Hypersonic.--The term ``hypersonic'' means flights
operating at speeds that exceed Mach 5.
(6) Supersonic.--The term ``supersonic'' means flights
operating at speeds in excess of Mach 1 but less than Mach 5.