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S4930119th Congress

Unmanned System Command and Control Integration Assessment Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator McCormick, David [R-PA]

Introduced

Summary

Requires a DoD-wide assessment to see if an open-architecture command-and-control framework can modernize how unmanned systems are run. The bill would set technical, cyber, and supply-chain rules and push near-term pilots to test whether such frameworks are feasible and cost-effective.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Cybersecurity rules for recommended UAS systems

If the final study recommends a framework, this bill would require that any system built from that recommendation use modular open systems architecture and supply chain risk management. Systems would have to follow the current NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 and related guidance. They would need a formal vulnerability disclosure and patching process and must undergo NSA-certified red-team penetration testing at least every two years. The Secretary would coordinate with NSA, CISA, and the DoD CIO to update these standards at least every 18 months.

DoD study and advisory panel on UAS C2

This bill would require the Secretary of Defense to start a full study of open-architecture unmanned command-and-control systems within 180 days. An interim report would be sent to Congress 180 days after enactment and a final report one year after enactment. Unclassified parts would be published within 30 days and the Department would give annual updates for five years in budget materials. The Secretary would also set up an independent 10–15 member advisory panel within 60 days to review draft findings; non-federal members would be paid at the daily equivalent of Executive Schedule level IV and the panel would end 90 days after the final report is sent.

Ban on covered-entity components in UAS systems

This bill would bar using any software, hardware, or service from entities on the FCC Covered List or the DoD Covered Foreign Entity list in systems developed, procured, or fielded under the Act. The restriction would apply to components and services from entities on either list. This would limit supplier choices and could raise costs or slow procurement timelines for affected defense programs.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

McCormick, David [R-PA]

PA • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 6/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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