Bill Summary
The "Future Long Range Assault Aircraft Medical Evacuation and Special Operations Procurement Act of 2025" authorizes the Secretary of the Army to expedite the development and procurement of specialized configurations of the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). This legislation focuses on two specific variants: one for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), designed to enhance patient care with advanced capabilities, and another for special operations, tailored to meet the unique needs of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) with advanced sensors and weapon systems.
Key provisions include requirements for the Secretary to coordinate with relevant stakeholders, ensure rapid prototyping and user evaluation, and pursue commonality in components to reduce costs. Importantly, the act does not authorize additional funds; the development efforts must rely on existing appropriations. A report detailing the status and funding needs for these aircraft variants is also required to be submitted to Congress within 180 days of enactment.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Future Long Range Assault Aircraft Medical Evacuation and Special Operations Procurement Act of 2025" could affect people:
1. **Enhanced Medical Care for Military Personnel**: The development of a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) configuration with advanced patient care capabilities, including telemedicine integration, could significantly improve the survival rates and health outcomes for injured soldiers. This would allow for real-time medical consultations and better management of trauma cases during evacuation, ultimately benefiting service members and their families by providing more effective care in critical situations.
2. **Increased Operational Efficiency for Special Operations Forces**: The special operations configuration tailored to the needs of USSOCOM would enhance the effectiveness of special operations missions. By integrating advanced sensors and weapon systems, operators would have improved situational awareness and capability to respond to threats. This could lead to improved mission success rates, which is crucial for national security and the safety of operatives involved in high-risk operations.
3. **Economic Impact on Defense Contractors and Local Communities**: The accelerated development and procurement of the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft could lead to increased contracts for defense contractors involved in manufacturing and testing the aircraft. This could create jobs and stimulate economic growth in local communities that host defense facilities or contractors. However, the limitation on additional appropriations means that the economic benefits will depend on the existing budget allocations, potentially affecting the scale and speed of job creation in the defense sector.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2075 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2075
To authorize the Secretary of the Army to accelerate development and
procurement of aeromedical evacuation and special operations
configurations of the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 12, 2025
Mr. Cruz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of the Army to accelerate development and
procurement of aeromedical evacuation and special operations
configurations of the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Future Long Range Assault Aircraft
Medical Evacuation and Special Operations Procurement Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PROCUREMENT OF AEROMEDICAL
EVACUATION AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS CONFIGURATIONS OF THE
FUTURE LONG RANGE ASSAULT AIRCRAFT.
(a) Authority To Develop and Procure.--The Secretary of the Army
may accelerate the research, development, test, evaluation, and initial
procurement of variant configurations of the Future Long Range Assault
Aircraft (FLRAA), specifically--
(1) a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) configuration designed
to enhance patient care capabilities and survivability,
including advanced telemedicine integration, expanded patient
capacity, and increased operational reach; and
(2) a special operations configuration tailored to the
needs of the United States Special Operations Command
(USSOCOM), including integration of advanced sensors, weapons
systems, launched effects, and plug-and-play mission modules.
(b) Program Objectives.--In exercising authority under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall ensure that--
(1) the medical evacuation and the special operations
variants are developed under subsection (a) in coordination
with relevant stakeholders, including the Army Medical
Department and United States Special Operations Command;
(2) the development timeline to carry out subsection (a) is
aligned to enable rapid prototyping, user evaluation, and risk
reduction prior to full-rate production; and
(3) commonality in components and systems is pursued across
configurations of the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft to the
maximum extent practicable to reduce long-term acquisition and
sustainment costs.
(c) Limitation on Use of Funds.--No additional appropriations are
authorized under this section. Development and procurement authorized
under this section shall be subject to the availability of
appropriations provided in advance in appropriations Acts.
(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to
the congressional defense committees a report detailing--
(1) the status of development and testing of the medical
evacuation and special operations variants of the Future Long
Range Assault Aircraft;
(2) estimated timelines for milestone decisions,
operational testing, and fielding for research, development,
test, evaluation, and initial procurement under subsection (a);
and
(3) anticipated funding needs in future fiscal years for
full development and procurement of the variants described in
paragraph (1).
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