HR 7273 NASA Reauthorization Act 2026 (Title V—Aeronautics)

Summary

Regulates the research and development of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility, highlighting the importance of collaborations with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other stakeholders.

Defines advanced air mobility, urban and regional air mobility, and unmanned aircraft and systems.

Requires NASA to conduct research on UTM (unmanned aircraft system traffic management) and autonomous capabilities.

Mandates collaboration with relevant federal agencies, academia, and industry on autonomous aviation to ensure U.S. competitiveness.

Prohibits NASA from procuring UAS from covered foreign entities unless a waiver is issued for national interests and specific purposes.

Establishes the importance of leveraging research for enhancing emergency response operations and promoting information sharing and interoperability in aerial responses to disasters like wildfires.

Encourages hypersonics research coordination between NASA, the FAA, and the Department of Defense to sustain U.S. leadership in high-speed aeronautical advancements.

Defines "advanced air mobility" and "regional air mobility" including autonomous technologies for aircraft transport systems.

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.

Defines "unmanned aircraft" and "unmanned aircraft system" including aircraft, communication links, and control components.

(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.

Defines urban air mobility as air transport using advanced technology aircraft, possibly with autonomous technologies.

(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.

Requires NASA Administrator to study past and current aircraft projects, identifying viable future autonomous capabilities.

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.

Assesses NASA's lessons learned from past and ongoing experimental aircraft demonstration projects over a decade.

(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.

Requires NASA Administrator to continue basic and applied hypersonics research with federal, industry, and academic collaboration.

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.

Requires the Administrator to update the hypersonics research roadmap in consultation with relevant officials and entities.

(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.

Requires the Administrator to transmit an updated research roadmap and provide a corresponding briefing to Congress.

(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).

Requires the Administrator to report annually to Congress on NASA's advanced materials and manufacturing technology activities.

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.

Requires the Administrator to continue research on unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility collaboratively.

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).

Requires NASA Administrator to use technologies for improving aerial wildfire responses, focusing on aircraft and data systems.

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.

Allows and encourages collaboration to avoid duplication in AI-related wildfire management with various stakeholders.

(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.

Prohibits procuring foreign unmanned aircraft systems unless needed for wildfires and in national interest.

(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).

Requires the Administrator to report annually to Congress on activities and research related to this section.

(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).

Authorizes the Administrator to research hydrogen aviation technologies, contingent upon funding availability.

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.

States that NASA faces maintenance challenges with its aging high-performance chase aircraft fleet.

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.

Requires the Administrator to brief Congress on NASA strategy for DOD collaboration and aircraft asset management.

(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.

Encourages NASA to collaborate with academia for advancements in aeronautics research and technology.

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;

Describes NASA programs providing student opportunities in aeronautics to bolster STEM careers and U.S. leadership.

(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.

Encourages development of a decadal survey to guide NASA's aeronautics research priorities for the next decade.

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.

Requires the Administrator to arrange a decadal survey on civil aeronautics research with the National Academies.

(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.

Allows the Administrator to establish a program for testing hypersonic aircraft technologies, excluding technology development funding.

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.

Requires the Administrator to develop a strategic plan and coordinate with defense and aviation officials.

(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.

Requires the Administrator to submit reports to Congress on program activities and strategic plans.

(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.

Defines "foreign business entity" and "entity of concern" for regulatory purposes related to AI governance.

(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.

Defines terms including "foreign country of concern," "high-speed aircraft," "hypersonic," and "supersonic."

(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.