A bill to require a report on the advisability and feasibility of establishing a Drone Center of Excellence within the Army National Guard.
- Sponsor
- Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]
- Committees
- Armed Services Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Aug 6, 2026
Bottom line
The bill requires a study on creating a Drone Center of Excellence for the Army National Guard to enhance drone capabilities and integration.
What it actually does
This bill mandates that the Secretary of the Army submit a report to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees within 180 days of enactment. The report must assess the advisability and feasibility of establishing a Drone Center of Excellence within the Army National Guard at an existing training site. It specifies that the report should consider the center's potential functions, including operator certification, doctrine development, AI integration experimentation, and force-on-force drone exercises.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this report is a critical first step in modernizing the Army National Guard's capabilities in unmanned aerial systems (UAS). They contend that a dedicated center could streamline training, accelerate doctrine development, and foster innovation in AI integration and advanced drone warfare tactics, ensuring the Guard remains prepared for evolving threats.
Opponents contend
Critics might suggest that requiring a report adds to bureaucratic overhead without guaranteeing concrete action, potentially duplicating existing efforts within the Department of Defense to assess drone capabilities. They could argue that resources might be better spent directly on implementing known best practices or integrating drone training into existing military structures rather than commissioning a new study.
The bill is exceptionally short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core intent and provisions quickly.
Section 1(a)
Requirement for Report on Drone Center of Excellence
This provision directs the Secretary of the Army to prepare and submit a report to the relevant Congressional committees within 180 days of the bill becoming law. The report's primary purpose is to evaluate whether it would be a good idea (advisability) and practical (feasibility) to create a specialized center for drone operations within the Army National Guard, located at an existing National Guard training facility.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that this report is essential for strategically planning the future of the Army National Guard's drone capabilities. It allows for a comprehensive assessment of needs, resources, and potential benefits before committing to a large-scale project, ensuring any future investment is well-informed and effective.
Critics contend
Opponents might contend that simply commissioning a report delays action and consumes resources that could otherwise be directed towards immediate improvements in drone training or equipment. They may argue that the need for such a center is already evident, or that existing structures could be adapted without a new, dedicated study.
Tradeoffs
The primary tradeoff is between the immediate administrative cost and delay of producing a report versus the potential long-term benefits of a thoroughly planned and justified Drone Center of Excellence. It balances the desire for rapid capability enhancement against the need for strategic foresight and resource optimization.
Section 1(b)
Elements to be Considered in the Report
This section specifies the key areas the required report must cover when evaluating the proposed Drone Center of Excellence. These include how the center would certify drone operators during annual training, develop new tactics and procedures for drone use, experiment with integrating artificial intelligence for target recognition and real-time awareness, and conduct large-scale 'drone wars' exercises involving various military formations.