September 22, 2026 | Endorsements
S. 4711 / H.R. 9550, the Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act
September 22, 2026 Endorsements
S. 4711 / H.R. 9550, the Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act
Bottom Line Up Front
S. 4711 / H.R. 9550, the Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act, would give the U.S. military a lasting edge in drone warfare. Unmanned systems now decide modern battles, and after four years fighting Russia, Ukraine leads the world in battle-tested drones and counter-drone systems. The bill creates a U.S.-Ukraine working group to co-develop, co-produce, and field these systems in U.S. forces, and to cut reliance on adversary supply chains.
Bill Information
Read the full legislative text and view the list of cosponsors for the Senate and House versions.
FDD Action Expert Analysis
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown that drone warfare now defines the modern battlefield, and Ukraine has become the world’s leader in drone and counter-drone technology due to its battle-hardened experience. The United States cannot afford to fall behind in this innovative space and should leverage our ally’s advances to our benefit. The Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act gives Washington a solid legal framework to co-develop, co-produce, and rapidly field these systems alongside our Ukrainian partners, while reducing dependence on adversary supply chains. FDD Action urges Congress to support this legislation to strengthen American military readiness and our defense industrial base.”
Associate Director for Government Relations, FDD Action
Why It Matters
- Ukraine leads the drone war: Unmanned systems now decide modern battles. After four years fighting Russia, Ukraine has become the world’s leading developer of battlefield-tested drones and counter-drone systems. These systems cost a fraction of the targets they destroy. Cooperation with Ukraine would let the United States apply those combat lessons to sharpen military readiness and strengthen America’s defense industrial base.
- Co-production is the engine: The Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act establishes a joint U.S.-Ukraine working group to co-develop, co-produce, and rapidly acquire Ukrainian-designed systems. The group finds systems proven in combat and speeds them into U.S. forces, including Blue UAS and fast-track acquisition.
- Adversaries lose leverage: The Strategic Defense Innovation Working Group would build the frameworks the partnership needs for technology transfer, shared intellectual property, and joint procurement. It also requires supply chains that reduce U.S. and Ukrainian dependence on Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.
Congressional Press Releases
Read statements from members of Congress who are supporting this legislation:
- → Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, Quigley, McCaul, Costa, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act
- → McCaul, Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, Quigley, Costa, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act
- → Ukraine Caucus Introduces Bipartisan Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act
- → Rosen, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Security Cooperation Between United States and Ukraine
See more national security bills backed by FDD Action.
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FDD Action is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization that works directly with policymakers to advocate for a robust U.S. foreign policy — one that strengthens U.S. national security, does damage to America’s adversaries, and supports allies and partners. FDD Action serves as a trusted resource for congressional offices and executive branch policymakers navigating complex national security challenges, leveraging a team with decades of experience on Capitol Hill and in the policy arena.