CLOUD Aircraft Act

HR 3848, the CLOUD Aircraft Act, requires the Department of Defense to study equipping all military fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft operating in highly trafficked domestic airspaces (near commercial airports) with collision detection systems. The study must assess the feasibility and cost of adding both air-to-air systems (to prevent mid-air collisions with other aircraft) and air-to-ground systems (to avoid terrain collisions). The Secretary of Defense must submit a report with findings and recommendations to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment. This bill directly affects military aircraft operating in controlled airspace around major airports but does not mandate any equipment installation.