(a) Limitation
The Secretary of the Navy may not accept or take delivery of an unmanned surface vessel before the date on which the Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees certification in writing that the Chief of Naval Operations or the Commandant of the Marine Corps has developed both concepts of operation and concepts of employment for at least one of the following combat functions:
Anti-submarine warfare.
Maritime strike.
Logistics.
Electronic warfare.
Command and control.
Intelligence.
Surveillance.
Reconnaissance.
Targeting.
Systems designed to counter any of the functions described in paragraphs (1) through (9).
Any other combat function designated by the Chief of Naval Operations or the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
(b) Strategy required
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall develop and implement a strategy for the integration of unmanned surface vessels into naval force design and joint maritime operations. Such strategy shall include each of the following:
A description of the role of unmanned surface vessels in the future force design for the Department of the Navy.
The process and timelines associated with the integration of unmanned surface vessels into joint maritime operations.
An identification of the operational authorities currently governing the use of unmanned surface vessels.
An acquisition strategy for unmanned surface vessels.
An identification of the manpower, training, and infrastructure requirements for the integration of unmanned surface vessels into naval force design and joint maritime operations.
A description of different ownership or operating models for unmanned surface vessels, including ownership and operation by the Government and by contractors, and how each such model would affect—
manpower and infrastructure requirements;
sustainment planning; and
competition and industrial base concerns.
An identification of access and basing requirements for unmanned surface vessels.
(c) Report
Not later than 210 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the strategy required under subsection (b).
(d) Annual briefing
Not later than 90 days after the date of the submission of the report required under subsection (c), and biannually thereafter, the Portfolio Acquisition Executive established under section 1732 of title 10, United States Code, shall provide a briefing to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each such briefing shall include each of the following:
A description of any changes or refinements made to the strategy required under subsection (b) during the period by the briefing.
A description of any planning, scenarios, or simulations carried out by the Navy during the period by the briefing that model the use of unmanned surface vessels in defined environments for specific missions and tasks.
A description of any operational gaps identified during the period by the briefing that unmanned surface vessel capabilities could address.
A description of any validated and emerging requirements of the combatant commands identified during the period by the briefing for unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vessels, and the criteria used to validate such requirements.
Any gaps in operational authority or required changes with respect to unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vessels identified during the period by the briefing.