Bill > S240

This bill directs the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct a comprehensive study on the current state and future needs of the Air Force's major air test and training range infrastructure, which includes critical airspace like military operating areas and special use airspace. The study will assess the infrastructure's ability to support all types of Air Force operations and will be used to create a master plan, known as the 2025 Air Test and Training Range Enhancement Plan, outlining necessary investments and requirements to meet training and testing needs through 2025. This plan will consider various factors, including potential threats to the infrastructure such as electromagnetic spectrum encroachment, the need for land transfers to the Department of Defense, coordination with other government agencies and local entities, and the impact of economic development. The Secretary will also consult with other military departments to explore joint use opportunities and will continue ongoing infrastructure improvements while the study is underway. The bill requires the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to the congressional defense committees detailing the study's findings and the proposed master plan, which will include recommendations for modernizing facilities, acquiring land or easements to protect operations, and addressing emerging training requirements for new weapon systems and virtual training.