What does Preamble of Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to establish requirements for human judgment in the use of force by autonomous weapon systems. The bill's scope is limited to autonomous weapon systems used by the Department of Defense. The bill includes provisions for 'other purposes' beyond the core requirement of human judgment.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act of 2026

What does DEFINITIONS. of Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act of 2026 do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. An 'autonomous weapon system' is defined as a weapon system that can select and engage targets without further human intervention after activation. The term 'congressional defense committees' refers to the definition provided in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code. “Ultimate human responsibility” requires a human commander or operator to understand the weapon system's context, supervise its use, and ensure legal compliance. “Use of force” is defined as the application of kinetic lethal or non-lethal military force against a target.

What does REQUIREMENT FOR HUMAN JUDGMENT IN AUTONOMOUS WEAPON SYSTEMS. of Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Secretary of Defense to ensure autonomous weapon systems and artificial intelligence capabilities developed by the Department of Defense enable ultimate human responsibility over the use of force. The Secretary of Defense must also develop guidelines for the ethical and legal use of artificial intelligence in these systems. The section mandates design requirements for autonomous weapon systems, including human supervision, intervention mechanisms, fail-safe controls, and sufficient information for operator oversight. These systems must operate consistently with U.S. and international law, rules of engagement, and Department of Defense policy. The Secretary of Defense is required to establish training procedures for commanders and operators to supervise autonomous weapon systems, including proficiency assessments. A reporting mechanism must be included to allow operators to report concerns about weapon system reliability or human-machine interfaces without fear of reprisal.

What does REVIEW AND CERTIFICATION. of Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a review and certification process for autonomous weapon systems (AWS) before they can be deployed. The Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) is responsible for conducting these reviews and certifying compliance with the Act's requirements. Reviews must include an independent adversarial testing assessment, or 'red-team,' to evaluate vulnerabilities under realistic conditions. AWS cannot be fielded by the Department of Defense without DOT&E certification that the system allows for ultimate human responsibility in the use of force. Certification also requires verification of secure, safe, and reliable operations meeting Department standards, including retesting after significant updates. Within 18 months of the Act's enactment, DOT&E must publish testing standards for AI components in AWS on a public website. These standards should be published in unclassified form to the maximum extent possible.

What does ANNUAL REPORTING TO CONGRESS. of Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act of 2026 do?

This section mandates annual reporting to the congressional defense committees by the Secretary of Defense. The initial report is due within one year of the Act's enactment, followed by semiannual reports for six years. Reports must include a summary of autonomous weapon systems in development or fielded by the Department of Defense. The Secretary must detail steps taken to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Act. The Secretary may also include recommendations for legislative or administrative action regarding human judgment in autonomous weapon systems.

What does AUTONOMOUS WEAPON SYSTEM INCIDENT REPOSITORY. of Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes an Autonomous Weapon System Incident Repository within the Department of Defense. The repository will document operational incidents, failures, and near-miss events involving autonomous weapon systems and artificial intelligence capabilities. The purpose of the repository is to identify systemic risks, software errors, and vulnerabilities, and to promote institutional learning. The Secretary of Defense is required to establish reporting procedures for specific incident types, including malfunctions, anomalous behavior, and failures in human-machine interaction. The Secretary will model the repository's reporting practices on aviation safety reporting systems. Information collected will be analyzed to identify trends and lessons learned, and disseminated throughout the Department of Defense. Sensitive information within the repository will be handled according to classification and security requirements. The Secretary shall provide semiannual classified briefings to the congressional defense committees on trends, risks, and corrective actions.

What does TRAINING PIPELINES. of Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act of 2026 do?

This section directs the Secretary of Defense to develop formal training pipelines for autonomous systems within the Department of Defense. These pipelines must include specialized training tracks for operators, commanders, and system supervisors. Certification in human-machine teaming is required, beyond just system operation. Mandatory training will cover operations in denied and contested environments, including scenarios like GPS loss and electronic warfare. Autonomous systems are to be integrated into Combat Training Center rotations. Continuous retraining is mandated to align with software updates and system changes.

What does CIVILIAN HARM MITIGATION AND RESPONSE OFFICE. of Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act of 2026 do?

The Secretary of Defense is required to establish the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Office within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The Office's purpose is to develop, oversee, and coordinate Department-wide policies, practices, and capabilities to prevent, mitigate, and respond to civilian harm resulting from military operations. The Office will develop and implement policies and guidance related to civilian harm mitigation and response. The Office will oversee the integration of civilian harm mitigation practices into military planning, targeting, and operational processes. The Office will coordinate assessments, investigations, and responses to incidents involving civilian harm. The Office will support training and doctrine development across the Department. The Office will provide regular reports to Congress on civilian harm mitigation efforts and outcomes. The Office will be headed by a senior official designated by the Secretary of Defense.

What does RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. of Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a rule of construction for the Act. The Act does not prohibit the development or use of autonomous weapon systems. Autonomous weapon systems are permitted if they are designed to intercept incoming threats and maintain human supervision as part of their operational design.

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Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act of 2026

Last updated: 6/4/2026 · Introduced: 6/4/2026

Author: Mark Kelly (D-AZ)

TL;DR (AI)

This Act mandates that the Department of Defense ensure human judgment and oversight are maintained over the use of force by autonomous weapon systems.
Before deployment, autonomous weapon systems must undergo rigorous review and certification by the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), including adversarial testing, to verify human responsibility.
The Secretary of Defense must establish formal training pipelines for operators, commanders, and supervisors, emphasizing human-machine teaming and operations in challenging environments.
A new Autonomous Weapon System Incident Repository will be created to document incidents, failures, and near-misses, facilitating learning and identifying systemic risks.
The Act establishes a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Office to develop and oversee policies and practices aimed at preventing and responding to civilian harm resulting from military operations.

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