Safety in Shared Skies Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill requires the Department of Defense to create a standard process for testing and certifying tracking systems on military planes. These systems, known as ADS-B transponders, broadcast a plane's location to air traffic controllers and other aircraft to prevent collisions.
• Military aircraft flying in United States airspace would be required to have their tracking equipment tested and certified every 90 days. This ensures that military planes are visible to civilian pilots and flight controllers in shared skies.
• The Department of Defense would be required to send a report to Congress every six months for two years. These reports must describe the testing results and list any times the tracking equipment failed to work properly.
• The Department of Defense Inspector General would conduct two official audits to make sure the military is following these new rules. These audits will also help Congress decide if the testing and reporting requirements should be extended in the future.

Impact Analysis

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