PENNSYLVANIA SENATORS MCCORMICK AND FETTERMAN INTRODUCE BILL TO ACCELERATEU.S. MILITARY DRONE AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS STRATEGY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and John Fetterman today introduced the Unmanned Autonomous Systems Strategy Act, legislation requiring the U.S. Department of War to develop a comprehensive, all-domain strategy for the rapid deployment, integration, and scaling of unmanned and autonomous systems (UAS) across the Indo-Pacific and the Western Hemisphere.

The bill will help the Department of War accelerate the fielding of large numbers of capable, low-cost, AI-enabled drones. These systems have already transformed warfare in the air, on the surface, and undersea. Getting this strategy right is essential to maintaining the military superiority and deterrence the U.S. has long relied on.

"Unmanned and autonomous systems represent the most disruptive shift in military technology since precision-guided munitions and stealth," said Senator McCormick. "We've seen their impact in Ukraine and across the Middle East. The nation that can field affordable, scalable autonomous systems fastest will have a decisive military advantage. America cannot afford to fall behind."

"Unmanned and autonomous systems are part of our lives right now with no strategy for deploying them where they matter most," said Senator Fetterman. "Pennsylvania's defense industry builds some of the best of these systems and we should be putting them to work to keep Americans safe-and this bill does that."

Specifically, core requirements of the comprehensive strategy under the Unmanned Autonomous Systems Strategy Act would include:

• Capability Gap Assessment - Evaluates where U.S. unmanned capabilities fall short across surveillance, strike, anti-submarine warfare, logistics, electronic warfare, and counter-drone operations.
• Force Design Review - Identifies the air, surface, and undersea autonomous systems needed to support operations in the Indo-Pacific and Western Hemisphere.
• Forward Deployment Strategy - Examines basing and deployment options across INDOPACOM, NORTHCOM, and SOUTHCOM areas of responsibility.
• Technology and Integration Plan - Assesses emerging technologies, including AI and hybrid-electric propulsion, and outlines integration with existing military platforms and command systems.
• Allied Cooperation - Establishes a framework for joint development and interoperability with key allies and partners including Australia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, and Ukraine.
• Industrial Base and Procurement Strategy - Identifies supply chain vulnerabilities, scalable manufacturing opportunities, and commercially available systems compliant with the American Security Drone Act.

In the Indo-Pacific, China has already built the world's largest navy and is rapidly expanding its drone capabilities while investing heavily in anti-access and area denial systems designed to keep U.S. forces out of the region. The United States must rapidly field affordable, expendable autonomous systems capable of persistent surveillance, undersea operations, and long-range strike missions.

Closer to home, drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations increasingly exploit maritime and air corridors across the Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, and U.S. coastal waters. Unmanned aerial systems can provide persistent surveillance at a fraction of the cost of manned aircraft and ships, easing pressure on U.S. military and Coast Guard resources.

The full bill text may be found here.

###