S 4397 Introduced – Counter-Drone Support

Last week, Sen Lankford (R,OK) introduced S 4397, the Strengthening Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations (C-UAS) Partnerships Act. The bill would authorized DOD to provide C-UAS support under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. No new spending is authorized by this bill.

The bill would amend 10 USC 333(a) adding “Counter-unmanned aircraft systems operations.” To the list of operations for which DOD could provide training and equipment to foreign national security forces.

Moving Forward

Lankford is not a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there is probably not sufficient influence to see this bill considered in Committee. I see nothing in this bill that would draw organized opposition to the bill. I suspect that the bill would receive bipartisan support in Committee.

This bill could be added to either the National Defense Authorization Act or the FY 2023 DOD spending bill as an amendment from the floor.

Commentary

I do not see this bill, even if passed, having any significant impact on developing or providing C-UAS support for critical infrastructure in the United States. This will almost certainly be the last mention of this bill in this blog.