Defense Department Cites Budget Burdens And Operational Security Risks

The Pentagon has withdrawn its support for the ROTOR Act, a bipartisan aviation safety bill drafted after a fatal midair collision in January 2025. The bill, which passed the Senate unanimously in December 2025, aims to improve aviation safety by requiring safety reviews and limiting the circumstances under which military aircraft can disable location broadcasting systems. However, the Defense Department has cited budget burdens and operational security risks as reasons for its reversal, introducing uncertainty ahead of the House vote. The legislation has drawn support from labor groups and the NTSB chair, but opponents in the House have promoted an alternative measure known as the ALERT Act. This development was first reported by AeroTime.