Bill > HR9909

This bill, titled the "Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operational Test, Evaluation, and Training Corridor Act," directs the Secretary of Defense to establish or designate and operate at least one specialized area within the national airspace system for testing and training with small unmanned aircraft systems (often called drones) and related technologies. These corridors will be used for research, development, testing, and evaluation of various drone capabilities, including their software, weapons, sensors, and communication systems, as well as counter-drone technologies like high-powered microwaves and lasers. The bill also mandates the assessment of existing facilities, identification of necessary resources, and consideration of how to simulate realistic operational environments, including those with disrupted communications or GPS. Furthermore, the Secretary must identify and address any legal or regulatory obstacles to conducting these activities, consult with other government agencies to ensure safety, and consider diverse geographic locations across the United States, ultimately notifying Congress about the corridor's location, resource needs, and any necessary interagency agreements.