S. 4677: Sustainment of Unmanned Systems, Total Force Aircraft Inventory, and National Guard Protection Act

This bill, titled the Sustainment of Unmanned Systems, Total Force Aircraft Inventory, and National Guard Protection Act (SUSTAIN Act), establishes protections for the MQ–9 aircraft units operated by the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard. Below is a summary of its main provisions:

Prohibition on Reductions to MQ–9 Aircraft Units

The bill prohibits the Secretary of the Air Force from taking certain actions that would reduce the capacity or effectiveness of MQ–9 aircraft units during a specified period, which lasts until September 30, 2032. Specifically, the Secretary cannot:

• Divest, deactivate, redesignate, consolidate, transfer, or retire any MQ–9 aircraft or aircraft unit.
• Reduce the total number of MQ–9 aircraft assigned to any unit in the Air National Guard below the levels that existed when the bill is enacted.
• Modify the operational capabilities of any MQ–9 aircraft unit to a lower level.
• Reduce personnel assigned to MQ–9 units below current levels if it would affect operational capabilities.

Exceptions to Prohibition

There are exceptions to these prohibitions. The Secretary of the Air Force may still take certain actions regarding individual MQ–9 aircraft if:

• The aircraft is determined to be unsafe, too costly to repair, or no longer capable of performing its mission.

Additionally, if a unit is undergoing a mission conversion, the prohibition does not apply if the Secretary, with approval from state governors, assigns a new primary mission that maintains or enhances the unit's capabilities.

Consultation Requirement

Before making decisions regarding MQ–9 aircraft or units in the Air National Guard, the Secretary must consult with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the Director of the Air National Guard.

Report on Recapitalization Plan

Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of the Air Force must submit a report to congressional defense committees on the plan for recapitalizing the MQ–9 aircraft fleet. The report must include:

• An assessment of the aircraft's operational status and mission requirements.
• Details on planned modernization and upgrades for the MQ–9 fleet through fiscal year 2035.
• Options for upgrading or replacing MQ–9 aircraft.
• The role of the Air National Guard in the future force structure.
• A projected timeline and estimated budget for the recapitalization efforts.
• Identification of any legislative authorities needed to implement the plan.

Definitions

The bill includes several definitions to clarify terms such as "congressional defense committees" and "covered period," which defines the timeframe for the bill's provisions, starting on the enactment date and ending on September 30, 2032.

Relevant Companies

• RTX (Raytheon Technologies) - Raytheon is involved in the production and support of unmanned aerial vehicles, which may be influenced by the provisions of the bill protecting MQ–9 aircraft units.
• GOOGL (Alphabet Inc.) - Alphabet, through its subsidiary Google, has involvement in drone technology and AI applications that could be relevant if the bill affects defense spending and capabilities in unmanned systems.