CLOUD Aircraft Act

This legislative proposal mandates the Secretary of Defense , in collaboration with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, to undertake a comprehensive study. The study's primary objective is to assess the feasibility and associated costs of outfitting all Department of Defense fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft with advanced collision detection systems. This requirement specifically applies to aircraft that regularly operate within highly trafficked domestic airspaces , defined as those near commercial service airports. The bill specifies two types of systems for consideration: air-to-air collision detection systems , designed to warn pilots of other transponder-equipped aircraft, and air-to-ground collision detection systems , which use sensors to prevent ground collisions. Following the study's completion, the Secretary is required to submit a detailed report to the appropriate congressional committees within 180 days of the Act's enactment. This report must include the study's results, the Secretary's recommendations, and a proposed timeline for implementing any suggested upgrades to enhance aviation safety.