HR390-119

What This Bill Does

The ACERO Act directs the NASA Administrator to leverage NASA-developed tools and technologies under the Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations project, or successor projects, to improve aerial wildfire response. The research and development may cover advanced aircraft technologies, airspace management, deconfliction and coordination of aerial assets, real-time data exchange for wildfire response teams, interoperable platforms for situational awareness, and a multi-agency concept of operations involving Federal, State, and local agencies. NASA may coordinate with regional organizations, commercial partners, academic institutions, and other Federal departments while avoiding duplication. The bill also bars NASA from procuring unmanned aircraft systems made or assembled by covered foreign entities for ACERO activities unless the Administrator grants a case-by-case waiver after required determinations.

Who Benefits and How

Wildfire response teams benefit from research into better aerial asset coordination, deconfliction, and real-time data exchange. State wildfire agencies benefit from a multi-agency concept of operations that can improve shared airspace management. NASA aviation researchers benefit from statutory direction to apply ACERO technology to emergency response. U.S. unmanned aircraft manufacturers benefit from a procurement preference against covered foreign systems. Aerospace data-platform vendors benefit from demand for interoperable situational-awareness tools.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The NASA Administrator must conduct or coordinate research and development, consult other agencies, avoid duplication, and manage any waiver decisions. Federal wildfire aviation offices must coordinate with NASA on airspace and concept-of-operations work. Covered foreign drone manufacturers lose procurement opportunities unless waivers are granted. Commercial partners and academic institutions may need to meet NASA coordination and data-sharing expectations. Procurement officers must screen unmanned aircraft systems for covered foreign entity restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Requires NASA to use ACERO tools and technologies to improve aerial wildfire response.
• Supports research on aircraft technology, airspace management, deconfliction, real-time data exchange, and situational awareness.
• Establishes a multi-agency concept of operations for wildfire aerial response.
• Allows coordination with government agencies, regional organizations, commercial partners, and academic institutions.
• Prohibits procurement of covered foreign unmanned aircraft systems unless the NASA Administrator grants a case-specific waiver.