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

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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 in the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, aiming to close a loophole allowing some military aircraft to fly without ADS-B technology.
The proposed legislation mandates that all civilian and military aircraft operate with ADS-B Out broadcasting and be equipped with ADS-B In, while also strengthening oversight and requiring compliance reports.
The bill was introduced in response to a January midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., which killed 67 people, to prevent future tragedies.
The ROTOR Act also includes provisions to enhance flight safety, specifically at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA), and has public backing from victims' families.

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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.