Safety in Shared Skies Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]
- Committees
- Armed Services Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Mar 25, 2026
Bottom line
This bill aims to enhance aviation safety in shared airspace by ensuring DoD aircraft ADS-B Out systems are regularly tested and certified to uniform standards, with congressional oversight and independent audits.
What it actually does
This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to establish uniform standards for testing and certifying Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out (ADS-B Out) transponder systems on all Department of Defense aircraft operating in United States airspace, with tests required at least every 90 days. It also mandates the Secretary of Defense to submit regular reports to Congress on testing and any system failures, and requires the Department of Defense Inspector General to conduct audits of compliance and recommend whether these oversight requirements should be extended.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue this bill is crucial for enhancing aviation safety by ensuring that military aircraft, which share airspace with civilian planes, have fully functional and regularly certified ADS-B Out systems. This improves situational awareness for air traffic control and other aircraft, reducing the risk of mid-air collisions and improving overall air traffic management efficiency. They would emphasize the importance of military compliance with modern aviation safety standards for the safety of all airspace users.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that this bill imposes unnecessary administrative burdens and costs on the Department of Defense, which already has its own rigorous maintenance and safety protocols. They might contend that existing DoD procedures are sufficient, or that the specific 90-day testing frequency and detailed reporting requirements are overly prescriptive and could divert resources from other critical defense priorities without a demonstrable increase in safety beyond current practices.
The bill is very concise and can be read and understood quickly, making it accessible for immediate evaluation.
Section 2(a)
Uniform Standards for ADS-B Out Testing and Certification
This provision directs the Secretary of Defense to create consistent standards for regularly testing and certifying the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out (ADS-B Out) transponder systems on all Department of Defense aircraft that fly in U.S. airspace. These tests must occur at least once every 90 days to ensure the systems are functioning correctly and broadcasting accurate positional data, thereby enhancing air traffic safety.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that establishing uniform, frequent testing ensures military aircraft meet the same high safety standards as civilian aircraft regarding ADS-B Out functionality, which is critical for preventing mid-air incidents in increasingly crowded airspace and ensuring seamless integration with modern air traffic management.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that DoD already has robust internal safety and maintenance protocols, and this mandate could be redundant or overly prescriptive, potentially diverting resources from other essential operational readiness or maintenance activities without a proportional increase in safety.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the desire for enhanced aviation safety and interoperability with civilian air traffic control against potential increases in operational costs, administrative overhead, and potential impacts on military readiness for the Department of Defense.
Section 2(b)
Congressional Reporting on Testing and Failures
This section requires the Secretary of Defense to submit reports to Congress every 180 days for a period of two years following the bill's enactment. These reports must provide a detailed description of the testing and certification activities conducted under the new standards, specifically including any failures of the automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast out transponder systems.
Section 2(c)
DoD Inspector General Audits
This provision mandates the Inspector General of the Department of Defense to conduct two audits: one year and two years after the bill's enactment. These audits will verify the Secretary of Defense's compliance with the new testing and certification requirements. The IG must also report the audit results to Congress and provide a recommendation on whether the reporting and audit requirements should be extended beyond the initial two-year period.