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RepublicanAmendment · S.Amdt. 3612· Senate(119-SAMDT-3612)

S.Amdt. 3612

Rep. Rounds
Age: 72 years
South Dakota
Introduced
8/1/2025
Sponsored by
Mike Rounds
Cosponsors
None
Changes bill
119-S-2296 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. Pending Consideration

What this amendment would do

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Rounds, aims to add a section to bill S. 2296 focused on accelerating the research, development, testing, and evaluation of high-altitude balloon (HAB) and high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) aircraft systems.

The purpose of the amendment is to change the bill by adding the following requirements:

  • Management and Oversight: It requires the Air Force Chief of Staff to designate a capability coordinator by December 1, 2026, and tasks the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics with assigning a program office to manage acquisitions.

  • Operational Goals: The program office must develop data-sharing architectures, implement measures to counter cyber and electronic threats, and ensure these systems are used in live operational exercises by fiscal year 2027.

  • Acquisition and Partnerships: It allows the Secretary of the Air Force to use rapid acquisition authority to speed up procurement and encourages partnerships with academic institutions, industry, and other Federal agencies through grants and cooperative agreements.

  • Strategic Alignment: The Secretary of Defense must ensure these systems align with the National Defense Strategy and coordinate with combatant commands, such as United States Special Operations Command and United States Indo-Pacific Command.

  • Accountability: The Secretary of the Air Force must submit an annual report to the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services detailing progress, cost savings, and recommendations for future investments.