Safety in Shared Skies Act of 2026

This bill mandates that the Secretary of Defense establish uniform standards for the testing and certification of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast out (ADS-B Out) transponder systems on all Department of Defense aircraft operating within United States airspace. These critical systems, which enhance air traffic control and collision avoidance, must be tested and certified at least every 90 days to ensure their proper functioning. The Secretary is also required to submit detailed reports to Congress every 180 days for two years, outlining the testing and certification activities and any identified system failures. Furthermore, the Inspector General of the Department of Defense must conduct audits within one and two years of enactment to verify compliance with these testing and certification requirements. The Inspector General's reports to Congress will include audit results and recommendations on whether to extend the reporting and audit mandates.