S.Amdt. 6590

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Kim and Mr. Booker, aims to add a pilot program to bill S. 4784. The program would allow the Secretary of the Army to test, evaluate, and demonstrate how approved munition payloads integrate with approved unmanned aircraft systems, including counter-unmanned aircraft system platforms and one-way unmanned aircraft systems.

Purpose of the Program

The program is intended to:

• Accelerate the integration of modular payloads onto multiple drone platforms.
• Reduce the time it takes to field lethal and non-lethal drone-enabled munitions capabilities.
• Standardize payload-to-platform interfaces.
• Support the rapid prototyping, validation, and transition of drone-enabled munitions into programs of record.

Program Details

The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology will determine the location of the program, considering infrastructure for prototyping and live-fire testing, proximity to range space, and available expertise.

The program may include:

• Transition and integration of common Electronic Safe and Arming Device designs.
• Use of the Small Universal Payload Interface and the Picatinny Common Lethality Integration Kit.
• Development of standardized drone interface documentation and practices for payload-to-drone connectivity.
• Prototyping and technology transfer of munition systems integrated with unmanned aircraft systems.

The Secretary is required to coordinate this effort with other Department of Defense components, including relevant program executive offices, DEVCOM, and the Joint Capability Program Executive for Ammunition and Energetics.