To direct the Secretary of Defense to test and certify each automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast out transponder system on a Department of Defense aircraft that is operated in United States airspace, and for other purposes.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would require the Department of Defense (the military) to test and officially certify a specific type of tracking technology — called an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder — on all military aircraft that fly in U.S. airspace. ADS-B transponders are electronic devices that broadcast an aircraft's location, speed, and altitude to air traffic controllers and other aircraft. They are a key part of how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) monitors and manages air traffic to keep flights safe.

Currently, commercial and civilian aircraft are required to have functioning, certified ADS-B systems, but military aircraft have historically operated under different rules. This bill would direct the Secretary of Defense to ensure that military planes flying in shared U.S. airspace meet a testing and certification standard for this technology, helping confirm that their location signals are accurate and reliable.

This legislation primarily affects the U.S. military and its aircraft operations, as well as air traffic controllers and civilian pilots who share the same airspace. By requiring verified, certified transponder systems on military aircraft, the bill aims to improve overall airspace safety and awareness — making it easier for everyone flying in U.S. skies to know where military planes are located.

The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the House Armed Services Committee, which is the typical first step in the legislative process. No further action has been taken yet.