Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operational Test, Evaluation, and Training Corridor Act
Latest action (23 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 9909 would direct the Secretary of Defense to establish or designate one or more "test and training corridors" within the national airspace system dedicated to small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and counter-drone technologies. These corridors would support research, testing, evaluation, and military training on drone systems, counter-drone weapons (including microwave, laser, and electronic-warfare capabilities), drone-versus-drone tactics, and standardized payload interfaces. The Secretary may build new facilities or use existing ones and must work with the Test Resource Management Center and military service secretaries to select sites, assess existing infrastructure, estimate costs, identify needed technology, and flag legal or regulatory obstacles—such as those involving electronic warfare, GPS jamming, or spectrum use—to safe operation in shared airspace.
The bill primarily affects the Department of Defense, the military services, and federal agencies overseeing airspace and spectrum regulation, since the corridors would need coordination to operate safely alongside civilian air traffic. It could also affect government and private facilities used for testing, as well as communities near selected corridor sites.
The bill was introduced on July 23, 2026, by Rep. Ronny Jackson and referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. It has not yet been voted on. If enacted, the Secretary of Defense would be required to notify Congress within 90 days of establishing any corridor, detailing its location, resource needs, and any interagency agreements.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 23, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9909 do?
- H.R. 9909 would direct the Secretary of Defense to establish or designate one or more "test and training corridors" within the national airspace system dedicated to small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and counter-drone technologies. These corridors would support research, testing, evaluation, and military training on drone systems, counter-drone weapons (including microwave, laser, and electronic-warfare capabilities), drone-versus-drone tactics, and standardized payload interfaces. The Secretary may build new facilities or use existing ones and must work with the Test Resource Management Center and military service secretaries to select sites, assess existing infrastructure, estimate costs, identify needed technology, and flag legal or regulatory obstacles—such as those involving electronic warfare, GPS jamming, or spectrum use—to safe operation in shared airspace. The bill primarily affects the Department of Defense, the military services, and federal agencies overseeing airspace and spectrum regulation, since the corridors would need coordination to operate safely alongside civilian air traffic. It could also affect government and private facilities used for testing, as well as communities near selected corridor sites. The bill was introduced on July 23, 2026, by Rep. Ronny Jackson and referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. It has not yet been voted on. If enacted, the Secretary of Defense would be required to notify Congress within 90 days of establishing any corridor, detailing its location, resource needs, and any interagency agreements.
- Has H.R. 9909 become law?
- Not yet. As of 23 Jul 2026, H.R. 9909 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9909?
- H.R. 9909 was sponsored by Rep. Ronny Jackson [R-TX13] (Republican-TX), with 8 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9909?
- Introduced (23 Jul 2026).
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