This Act directs the Administrator of NASA to use NASA-developed tools and technologies in a project called Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO). The project will support research and development to improve aerial responses to wildfires. Specific goals include advanced aircraft technologies and airspace management to help coordinate aerial assets, information sharing and real-time data exchange for wildfire teams, an interoperable platform for situational awareness of aerial assets, and a multi-agency concept of operations for coordinating aerial activities. The Administrator may work with Federal, State, and local agencies, regional organizations, commercial partners, and academic institutions, and must consult with other Federal departments and agencies to avoid duplication. The Act generally bars NASA from buying unmanned aircraft systems made or assembled by covered foreign entities, but allows a case-by-case waiver if the Administrator finds the purchase is in the national interest and needed only to improve aerial wildfire response and notifies specified congressional committees. NASA must report annually on activities under ACERO until December 31, 2030. The Act authorizes $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out the section.
If you follow wildfire response or technologies used in that response, this Act means NASA will do targeted research to help improve aerial coordination, data sharing, and situational awareness during wildfires. NASA may build or test tools and a platform to track and coordinate aircraft and drones used in firefighting. The work may involve partnerships with state and local agencies, industry, and universities. NASA must report each year on what it did and whether those activities helped prevent injuries, protect property, or reduce economic damage. The Act also limits buying certain foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems unless a waiver is granted and reported to Congress.
The Act authorizes $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out the ACERO activities. No other funding totals or long-term cost estimates are specified in the text. Annual reporting to Congress is required through 2030.
According to the text, supporters aim to improve management, deconfliction, and coordination of aerial assets during wildfire response; increase information sharing and real-time data exchange; provide interoperable situational awareness tools; and create multi-agency coordination approaches. The required reports must assess effects on preventing injuries and loss of life, protecting property, and reducing economic damage.
No publicly available information.