FY2023 NDAA, Section 162 ("Assessment and strategy for fielding capabilities to counter threats posed by unmanned aerial system swarms")
Directs the Secretary of Defense to assess threats posed by unmanned aerial system swarms to installations and deployed Armed Forces, the use of these swarms by adversaries and their national security implications such as autonomous intelligence and machine learning, current capabilities of the Defense Department and their effectiveness in countering these threats, and efforts by the Defense Department to develop and field technology that can counter swarms. Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a strategy to field capabilities to counter threats from unmanned aerial system swarms. The strategy should define "unmanned aerial system swarm," outline plans for developing, testing, fielding, and acquiring capabilities to counter swarms, estimate resources needed by each Armed Force to implement the strategy, and determine the legislative action necessary for the Defense Department to counter swarm threats. Directs the Secretary of Defense to consider incorporating the strategy into a comprehensive strategy to defend against unmanned aerial systems and to report the assessment findings and strategy to the congressional defense committees within 270 days.
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FY2023 NDAA, Section 162 ("Assessment and strategy for fielding capabilities to counter threats posed by unmanned aerial system swarms")
ETO AGORA · U.S. federal laws · 2022
Summary
Directs the Secretary of Defense to assess threats posed by unmanned aerial system swarms to installations and deployed Armed Forces, the use of these swarms by adversaries and their national security implications such as autonomous intelligence and machine learning, current capabilities of the Defense Department and their effectiveness in countering these threats, and efforts by the Defense Department to develop and field technology that can counter swarms.
Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a strategy to field capabilities to counter threats from unmanned aerial system swarms. The strategy should define "unmanned aerial system swarm," outline plans for developing, testing, fielding, and acquiring capabilities to counter swarms, estimate resources needed by each Armed Force to implement the strategy, and determine the legislative action necessary for the Defense Department to counter swarm threats.
Directs the Secretary of Defense to consider incorporating the strategy into a comprehensive strategy to defend against unmanned aerial systems and to report the assessment findings and strategy to the congressional defense committees within 270 days.
Requires the Secretary of Defense to assess and strategize against threats from unmanned aerial system swarms.
SEC. 162. ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGY FOR FIELDING CAPABILITIES TO COUNTER THREATS POSED BY UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM SWARMS.
(a) Assessment, Analysis, and Review.--The Secretary of Defense shall conduct-- (1) an assessment of the threats posed by unmanned aerial system swarms and unmanned aerial systems with swarm capabilities to installations and deployed Armed Forces; (2) an analysis of the use or potential use of unmanned aerial system swarms by adversaries, including the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and non-state actors; (3) an analysis of the national security implications of swarming technologies such as autonomous intelligence and machine learning; (4) a review of the capabilities used by the Department of Defense to counter threats posed by unmanned aerial systems and an assessment of the effectiveness of such capabilities at countering the threat of unmanned aerial system swarms; and (5) an overview of the efforts of the Department of Defense to develop and field test technologies that offer scalable, modular, and rapidly deployable capabilities with the ability to counter unmanned aerial system swarms.
Mandates the Secretary of Defense develop and implement a strategy to counter unmanned aerial system swarms.
(b) Strategy Development and Implementation Required.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement a strategy to field capabilities to counter threats posed by unmanned aerial system swarms. (2) Elements.--The strategy required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The development of a comprehensive definition of ``unmanned aerial system swarm''. (B) A plan to establish and incorporate requirements for the development, testing, and fielding of technologies and capabilities to counter unmanned aerial system swarms. (C) A plan to acquire and field adequate capabilities to counter unmanned aerial system swarms in defense of the Armed Forces, infrastructure, and other assets of the United States across land, air, and maritime domains. (D) An estimate of the resources needed by each Armed Force to implement the strategy. (E) An analysis, determination, and prioritization of legislative action required to ensure the Department of Defense has the ability to counter the threats posed by unmanned aerial system swarms. (F) Such other matters as the Secretary determines to be relevant to the strategy. (3) Incorporation into existing strategy.--The Secretary of Defense may incorporate the strategy required by paragraph (1) into a comprehensive strategy of the Department of Defense to counter the threat of unmanned aerial systems.
Requires the Secretary of Defense to report findings and strategy to congressional defense committees within 270 days.
(c) Information to Congress.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on-- (1) the findings of the Secretary under subsection (a); and (2) the strategy developed and implemented by the Secretary under subsection (b).