(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, shall develop a strategy for the use of low-cost and attritable Group 4 and 5 unmanned aircraft systems in contested logistics operations.
(b) Requirements for strategy
The strategy under subsection (a) shall include each of the following:
An assessment of current and projected lift capabilities required for contested logistics operations, specifically focusing on identifying—
the limitations of existing platforms; and
mission sets for which the use of Group 4 and 5 unmanned aircraft systems would reduce risk.
An assessment of the challenges presented by communications degradation in contested logistics operations and how unmanned aircraft systems could be integrated into mission sets identified under paragraph (1)(B) to solve capability gaps.
A review of performance specifications, including payload capacity and range, that are required to complete the mission sets identified under paragraph (1)(B).
An evaluation of acceptable loss rates, replacement speed, scale of employment, and integration timelines for unmanned aircraft systems.
A plan for coordinating among, and drafting requirements for, each of the military departments and combatant commands with respect to the use of low-cost and attritable unmanned aircraft systems for contested logistics, as appropriate.
A plan to synchronize research, development, prototyping, and acquisition activities related to such systems.
A transition plan for the operational fielding by the joint force of Group 4 and 5 unmanned aircraft systems for contested logistics operations.
An evaluation of commercially available innovative solutions that could be used to enhance the effectiveness of the Armed Forces and the response of the Department of Defense to emerging threats.
(c) Preference for commercial products
In developing the strategy under subsection (a), the Secretary shall leverage commercially available solutions to the maximum extent practicable.
(d) Report to Congress
Not later than 90 days after the development of the strategy required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the strategy.