Improving uncrewed activities

(a) Research and development Section 102(b)(3) of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8512(b)(3)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking aerial and inserting crewed and uncrewed aerial and surface; and (2) in subparagraph (G), by striking, including commercial observing systems and inserting, including stationary and mobile commercial observing systems, such as uncrewed aircraft and marine systems, to provide observations of the atmosphere and ocean, and other observations, in cooperation with the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. (b) Use of uncrewed aerial systems Section 102 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8512) is further amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: (c) Use of uncrewed aerial systems (1) In general In carrying out the program under this section, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, whenever practical, shall use uncrewed aerial systems to assess damage and assist recovery after an extreme weather or water event. (2) Authority In carrying out the program under this section, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations may acquire uncrewed aerial systems and training resources for the regional offices and partners of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the use and deployment of those systems in storm assessments and response..