Overview
- Sens. Ted Cruz, Maria Cantwell, Jerry Moran, and Tammy Duckworth warn the FY2026 NDAA leaves military aircraft operating in D.C. airspace under different rules with outdated transmission standards.
- The senators urge Congress to remove the current language and adopt the bipartisan ROTOR Act to require position broadcasting and close the exemption for non‑reporting flights.
- Families of Flight 5342 argue Section 373 covers only training missions, focuses on TCAS alerts rather than true visibility, and keeps broad national‑security waivers.
- Tim and Sheri Lilley call for a clear ADS‑B Out mandate in law and say waiver practices in the National Capital Region have been abused.
- Lawmakers cite Pentagon data showing increased military aircraft accidents since 2020 as they press for enforceable visibility and broadcast standards.