High-performance chase aircraft

(a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) NASA programs benefit from and rely upon high-performance chase aircraft for providing research and mission support; and (2) NASA currently faces maintenance challenges related to its aging high-performance aircraft fleet, which is resulting in increased program costs. (b) Briefing Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and biannually thereafter, the Administrator shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on the strategy of NASA relating to the following: (1) Collaboration with the Department of Defense on efforts for research and flight asset sharing to support NASA’s research mission support and pilot training requirements. (2) Efforts to seek aircraft parts and engines to keep NASA’s current fleet of chase aircraft operational, including potential use of 3D additive manufactured parts. (3) Strategies for acquiring or using through loan, sharing, or other agreements, as appropriate, Department of Defense aircraft to support NASA’s research and mission support activities, as required.