Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9550
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-30: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T13:38:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation establishes a United States-Ukraine Strategic Defense Innovation Working Group to promote cooperation on unmanned defense systems. It focuses on sharing lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield experience to speed up development, production, and use of low-cost, expendable unmanned systems by both countries.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: A “covered system” includes unmanned aerial, underwater, or surface vehicles; counter-unmanned systems (such as jammers and interceptors); related software and hardware; and command-and-control tools. These systems are designed for limited missions, are expendable in high-threat areas, and have low per-unit costs.
- Working Group Establishment: Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary of Defense, working with the Secretary of State, must create the group with Ukraine to explore co-development, co-production, acquisition, and transfer of these systems, plus mutual technology transfer agreements.
- Leadership and Participants: The group is co-chaired by five senior U.S. defense officials. It seeks participation from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, its military forces, the Brave1 Defense Tech Cluster, and a NATO-Ukraine center.
- Duties: The group must analyze Ukraine’s methods for rapid innovation, identify effective Ukraine-designed systems for U.S. use, recommend their inclusion in existing U.S. programs, develop defense trade agreements (including data-sharing protocols and intellectual property rules), and assess testing U.S. systems in Ukraine combat conditions.
- Prioritization and Acceleration: The group must prioritize promising Ukraine-designed systems, review supply chains to avoid reliance on certain foreign countries, identify ways to speed up joint ventures or procurement, and explore alternative pathways if systems do not meet standard U.S. requirements.
- Reporting: An initial strategy briefing is due to congressional defense committees within 120 days, followed by semiannual progress reports detailing system status, fast-track authorities, supply chain analysis, and barriers to cooperation.
- Termination: The group ends after five years, with a possible one-year extension if the Secretary of Defense certifies it is vital to national security.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill creates a new formal working group and process for U.S.-Ukraine defense collaboration on unmanned systems. It directs the use of existing authorities to accelerate joint ventures, cooperative production, and procurement, while requiring new frameworks for technology transfer, data exchange, and intellectual property protection. No broad amendments to current statutes are made, but the bill emphasizes alternative pathways (such as specific marketplaces) for systems that do not meet standard fielding rules.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Increases coordination among Defense Department offices, the Defense Innovation Unit, and special operations commands; may require additional resources for meetings, analysis, and reporting.
- On citizens: Could indirectly affect U.S. defense spending and supply chains by expanding domestic production of Ukraine-designed systems.
- On international relations: Strengthens defense ties with Ukraine, supports NATO-related efforts, and creates structured technology-sharing mechanisms.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Department of Defense components and the Secretary of Defense.
- Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, military forces, and the Brave1 Defense Tech Cluster.
- Congressional defense committees (for oversight and reporting).
- Defense industry participants involved in co-production or supply chains.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill raises issues around export controls, intellectual property ownership in joint projects, and reciprocal defense procurement agreements. It requires secure data-sharing protocols and supply chain reviews to limit dependence on certain nations. The five-year term and possible extension provide a structured but time-limited framework for ongoing cooperation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-30: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-30: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-30: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4357-4358)
- 2026-06-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act — issued 2026-06-30 — PDF (11 pages)