Collins Amendment to Ensure America Defeats China in the Race for Hypersonic Technology Passes T&I Committee
Washington - During today's House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup of H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, Representative Mike Collins' (R-Ga.) offered an amendment to require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study and lay the policy foundation for the incorporation of hypersonic aircraft into the national airspace system. The amendment passed 36-28 with bipartisan support.
"Hypersonic technology is the future, and America must lead and not fall behind China and Russia in this new arena of aviation," said Collins. "My amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill achieves that goal by requiring the FAA to provide a clear framework so that hypersonic manufacturers can design and test aircraft that will one day fly passengers across the globe. I thank my colleagues for their support and look forward to continuing to champion the development of hypersonic technology."
Background
The United States is in a tight race to lead in the new field of hypersonic aviation. Hypersonic aircraft travel at Mach 5 or greater and at high altitude. We are not just falling behind China and Russia, but against our friends in Europe and New Zealand.
The challenge facing hypersonic manufacturers is that the FAA has yet to implement a policy framework for the incorporation of hypersonic aircraft into the national airspace system, and the concern is that the agency will not be prepared to certify and regulate hypersonic aircraft when the technology is ready to be deployed.
Rep. Collins amendment mandates the FAA study and create that framework, as well as coordinate with NASA to determine at what altitude that sonic booms caused by hypersonic aircraft are inaudible on the ground and authorize flights at or above that level.
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