H.R. 3848: Collision-Limiting Operational Upgrade for DOD Aircraft Act

This bill, titled the Collision-Limiting Operational Upgrade for DOD Aircraft Act, proposes to direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study regarding the feasibility and cost of equipping all fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft belonging to the Department of Defense (DOD) with advanced collision detection systems. The aircraft in question specifically operate in busy domestic airspaces, which are near commercial airports.

Feasibility Study

The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is required to conduct a study that will assess:

• The practicality of installing air-to-air collision detection systems on military aircraft.
• The associated costs for such installations.

Types of Collision Detection Systems

The bill defines two main types of collision detection systems:

• Air-to-Air Collision Detection System: A system that detects potential mid-air collisions with other aircraft. It issues warnings to pilots, helping them make evasive maneuvers to avoid accidents. This system needs to be compatible with commercial aircraft systems, particularly the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS).
• Air-to-Ground Collision Detection System: A system that utilizes radar, digital terrain maps, and various sensors to alert pilots of potential collisions with the ground. If a collision is imminent, it can trigger alarms or take control of the aircraft to prevent the accident.

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of Defense must submit a report to Congress within 180 days of the enactment of this bill. This report should include:

• The findings from the feasibility study.
• Recommendations based on those findings.
• A timeline for implementing any recommended actions.

Relevant Committees

The bill outlines that the report should be directed to the following congressional committees:

• Committee on Armed Services
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Definitions within the Bill

Several terms in the bill are clearly defined to ensure understanding:

• Appropriate Committees of Congress: Refers to the specific committees that will receive the study report.
• Commercial Service Airport: Has a specific legal definition based on U.S. law.
• Operate in Highly Trafficked Domestic Airspaces: Refers to military aircraft that are stationed near and routinely fly in busy air traffic areas around commercial airports.

Next Steps After the Study

After the feasibility study and report, depending on the recommendations, the DOD may need to plan and allocate resources for acquiring and implementing these collision detection systems on their aircraft.

Relevant Companies

None found