H.R. 8072: Safety in Shared Skies Act of 2026

The bill titled the Safety in Shared Skies Act of 2026 aims to enhance the safety of air travel in U.S. airspace, particularly regarding military aircraft. The key components of the bill include:

Testing and Certification

The Secretary of Defense is required to establish uniform standards for testing and certifying automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast out (ADS-B Out) transponder systems on Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft that operate in U.S. airspace. The testing and certification must take place at least once every 90 days to ensure the systems are functioning correctly.

Reporting Requirements

After the bill is enacted, the Secretary of Defense must submit a report to Congress within 180 days, detailing the results of the testing and certification. This reporting must continue every 180 days for a total period of two years. The report must include any instances of failure regarding the ADS-B Out systems.

Inspector General Audits

The bill also mandates that the Inspector General of the Department of Defense conduct audits to review compliance with the testing and certification requirements set by the Secretary of Defense. These audits must occur:

• Within one year of the bill’s enactment
• Again, within two years of enactment

The results of the audits must be reported back to Congress, including recommendations on whether the reporting and audit requirements should continue beyond the initial two years.

Objective

The primary goal of the bill is to enhance the safety and reliability of military aircraft operating in shared airspace, thereby helping to prevent accidents and ensure safer air travel for both military and civilian aircraft.

Relevant Companies

None found