Definitions

In this Act: (1) Command and control framework The term command and control framework means the software architecture, communications protocols, data standards, interface specifications, and associated hardware that together enable an operator or commander to task, direct, monitor, and receive data from one or more unmanned aircraft systems. (2) Congressional defense committees The term congressional defense committees has the meaning given that term in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code. (3) Department The term Department means the Department of Defense. (4) Modular open systems architecture The term modular open systems architecture has the meaning given to that term in section 4401(c) of title 10, United States Code, and means a design approach in which key interfaces are defined by widely supported and consensus-based standards, enabling components to be added, modified, replaced, or removed with minimal impact to the remainder of the system. (5) Open architecture The term open architecture means a system design based on published, consensus-developed interface standards that permit systems from multiple vendors to interoperate, and that permits components to be updated, replaced, or added without redesign of the system as a whole. (6) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Defense, unless otherwise specified.