This bill mandates the Secretary of Defense to conduct a comprehensive assessment of open-architecture, unmanned system command and control frameworks for potential integration into Department of Defense operations. Commencing within 180 days, this assessment will specifically analyze allied systems like Ukraine's Delta battlefield management system and Israel's Multiple Drone Operating System . It will examine their technical architecture, operational effectiveness in contested environments, interoperability lessons, and cybersecurity resilience. The assessment must cover several key elements, including architectural analysis, compatibility across all unmanned system tiers, interoperability with existing Department systems, and robust cybersecurity measures. It emphasizes future-proofing, tactical adaptability, and considerations for classification and technology transfer. A detailed implementation roadmap, including resource estimates and pilot programs, is also required. To ensure independent oversight, the bill establishes an independent advisory panel comprising experts in unmanned systems, cybersecurity, and open-architecture software. This panel will provide technical guidance and review the assessment's findings. The Secretary must submit an interim report within 180 days and a final report to Congress within one year, detailing the assessment's conclusions, including the feasibility and operational necessity of an open-architecture framework. Any recommended framework must adhere to stringent cybersecurity standards, including a modular open systems architecture , compliance with NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 , supply chain risk management, and regular penetration testing by an NSA-certified red team. The bill also mandates coordination with existing DoD command and control modernization programs and the domestic small unmanned aircraft systems industrial base. Finally, an unclassified summary of the findings will be shared with the Federal Aviation Administration to inform civil unmanned aircraft systems airspace integration efforts.