Senate Committee Set to Vote on ROTOR Act

Bill requires civilian and military aircraft to use ADS-B navigation technology.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 04:49 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter [Courtesy: U.S. Army]

Key Takeaways:

The Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act is advancing out of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee following a bipartisan agreement.
The legislation mandates that all civilian and military aircraft operate with ADS-B Out broadcasting and be equipped with ADS-B In, closing a loophole that allowed some military aircraft to fly without it.
The ROTOR Act was introduced in response to a January mid-air collision near Washington D.C., involving an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that was not broadcasting its ADS-B signal, resulting in 67 fatalities.
The bill also aims to strengthen oversight of mixed air traffic, improve flight routes near commercial airports, and enhance flight safety, particularly at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA).

See a mistake? Contact us.

A measure that would close the loophole allowing some military aircraft to fly without using ADS-B navigation technology is one step closer to advancing out of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee.

Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) announced a deal Thursday that allows the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act to proceed out of committee in a vote next Tuesday. The proposed legislation requires all civilian and military aircraft to operate with ADS-B Out broadcasting, and to be equipped with ADS-B In.