A U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on 21 October 2025 voted to advance an aviation safety bill that would require Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology on all civilian aircraft and mandate ADS-B use by military helicopters operating near civilian traffic by the end of 2031, Reuters reports. The move follows the January mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk that killed 67 people and intensified calls for better airborne tracking.
Senate Commerce Committee chair Ted Cruz said the bill “closes a dangerous loophole” that allowed some military aircraft to fly without transmitting their position. The measure also calls for safety reviews at busy airports and directed an Army Inspector General audit of military flight coordination near commercial service airports. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy publicly supported the effort, saying improved surveillance could reduce collision risk.
What the bill would require
- ADS-B for all civilian aircraft by 2031: The legislation sets a hard deadline for equipping aircraft with ADS-B Out, the system that broadcasts precise GPS-based position data to other aircraft and ground systems.
- Military helicopter ADS-B use near civilian aircraft: The bill would require the Army to use ADS-B on helicopters operating near civilian traffic and orders an audit of military coordination and procedures.
- Airport safety reviews: It directs safety reviews at Reagan National and other major airports to assess mixed jet-helicopter traffic and airspace procedures.
Why lawmakers acted now
The bill responds directly to the January 2025 Potomac collision, which exposed gaps in surveillance and coordination between military and commercial operations. NTSB disclosures cited by lawmakers showed thousands of close-call events near Reagan National in recent years, strengthening the case for a statutory fix. Lawmakers from both parties, airline groups and safety officials argued the measure will improve situational awareness and reduce the likelihood of similar tragedies.
Industry reaction & practical implications
- Airlines: Major carriers welcomed the committee action. American Airlines said it strongly supports the bipartisan bill; United said it will work with lawmakers to ensure the measure succeeds without unintended consequences. Industry backing may ease the legislative path but technical and cost issues remain for some small operators.
- Military operations: Requiring ADS-B for military helicopters raises operational and security questions. The bill includes audits and coordination mandates, but legal exemptions and operational security carve-outs for certain missions will be a contentious part of later debates. The Army has previously cited mission security and electronic emissions control as reasons for limited ADS-B use.
- Cost and compliance: Equipping older aircraft and certain helicopters with ADS-B can be costly. The bill does not itself include full funding details; implementation will likely involve FAA rulemaking and potential grant or incentive programs to assist modified installations, particularly for small operators and general aviation.
Quick timeline
- Jan 29, 2025: Mid-air collision near Reagan National kills 67. Investigations and NTSB hearings follow.
- Oct 16, 2025: Senators announce a deal on aviation safety legislation.
- Oct 21, 2025: Senate Commerce Committee advances the bill requiring ADS-B by 2031.
What’s next? Industry outlook
- Congressional floor action: The committee vote advances the bill to the full Senate for debate; amendments will likely shape exemptions, funding and timelines. Watch for markup that addresses military security concerns and small-operator support.
- FAA rulemaking: If the law passes, the FAA will translate statutory requirements into technical rules and compliance programs, including certification pathways for older aircraft and guidance on ADS-B carriage. Expect a multi-year rollout with phased compliance dates and likely grant/incentive discussions.
- Operational safety: Requiring ubiquitous ADS-B use near civilian airports should improve positional awareness and automated alerting. However, the safety benefits will depend on effective integration of military operations into civilian surveillance frameworks and robust human-in-the-loop procedures at busy airports.
Key sources
- Reuters, David Shepardson, US lawmakers advance bill to require key aviation tracking technology, 21 Oct 2025.
- Reuters, related reporting on Senate negotiations, Oct 16, 2025.
- Associated Press – NTSB coverage of the January 2025 Potomac collision.
