51 U.S.C. § 40113: Airspace systems research

The Airspace Systems Research program shall pursue research and development to enable revolutionary improvements to and modernization of the National Airspace System, as well as to enable the introduction of new systems for vehicles that can take advantage of an improved, modern air transportation system. Not later than 1 year after December 30, 2005 , the Administrator shall align the projects of the Airspace Systems Research program so that they directly support the objectives of the Joint Planning and Development Office’s Next Generation Air Transportation System Integrated Plan. research and test capabilities and concepts, including unmanned aircraft systems communications, for integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system; leverage the partnership NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration] has with industry focused on the advancement of technologies for future air traffic management systems for unmanned aircraft systems; and continue to leverage the research and testing portfolio of NASA to inform the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system, consistent with public safety and national security objectives. to coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration on research on air traffic management systems for unmanned aircraft systems; and to assist the Federal Aviation Administration in the integration of air traffic management systems for unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system; and air traffic management systems for unmanned aircraft systems; and the integration of such systems into the national airspace system.”