US Senate Advances Aviation Safety Bill Mandating ADS-B Tracking by 2031

Following a deadly January collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter that killed 67 people, the U.S. Senate has advanced bipartisan legislation requiring all civilian aircraft and military helicopters operating near civilian planes to be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology by 2031. The ROTOR Act aims to close a critical safety gap by mandating military aircraft to broadcast their location in real-time, a practice previously exempted, as the Black Hawk involved had not used ADS-B for over two years before the crash. The bill also calls for enhanced oversight of mixed jet and helicopter operations, safety reviews at major airports including Reagan National, and improved coordination between the FAA and the Department of Defense. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz emphasized the legislation closes a dangerous loophole by ensuring military aircraft communicate their position like commercial planes, while Senator Maria Cantwell highlighted the bill's potential to increase situational awareness and save lives. The FAA has taken interim steps such as requiring ADS-B near Reagan National and restricting Army helicopter flights near the Pentagon after recent close calls, but lawmakers and safety advocates have criticized the agency's prior inaction. The legislation directs the Army Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive safety coordination audit to prevent future tragedies.