U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced new legislation this week, the Helicopter Operational Versatility and Enhanced Readiness (HOVER) Act, aimed at bolstering U.S. military readiness and improving aviation safety through the adoption of Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) technology.
The bill proposes to invest in the conversion of Army helicopters, specifically Black Hawks, into OPVs. This technology allows aircraft to be flown by a pilot, remotely, or autonomously, potentially reducing pilot workload, mitigating human error, and enhancing survivability in dangerous and complex operational environments.
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“Peace through strength requires ensuring that our military has access to and is leveraging the best cutting-edge technology,” Senator Cruz stated. “The HOVER Act allows the U.S. Army to modernize its fleet with such technology, boosting military readiness and American national security. I urge my colleagues to swiftly pass this bill to ensure our military remains the strongest and most effective in the world.”
Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Texas-6), a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot.
“As a former helicopter pilot, I understand firsthand the demands and risks associated with complex missions in challenging environments,” said Rep. Ellzey. “The HOVER Act is a step forward in aviation safety and mission effectiveness. By integrating Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) technology into Black Hawks, we will not only reduce pilot workload but also enhance situational awareness and increase survivability in high-risk conditions. This legislation is about giving our pilots the tools they need to be successful.”
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The HOVER Act of 2025, as it is formally titled, outlines several key actions:
- It would authorize funds for the conversion of at least three Army Black Hawk helicopters into OPVs.
- It directs the Secretary of the Army to establish and conduct a two-year operational experimentation program within 180 days of enactment. This program is designed to evaluate the military utility of OPV rotary-wing aircraft in contested environments, assess their integration with crewed aircraft in multi-domain operations, analyze cost and maintenance benefits of autonomous flight, and develop future tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for Army aviation.
- The program will also complement and inform ongoing Army science and technology efforts related to autonomy, such as the Autonomy for Combat Environment Sustainment (ACES), Mission Adaptive Autonomy (MAA), and the ALIAS transition agreement with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
- The Secretary of the Army would be required to submit a report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees within 12 months detailing the progress, initial findings on operational efficiency and cost savings, and recommendations for potential future procurement of OPV platforms.
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The bill emphasizes that testing and evaluation will be conducted in special use airspace and allows the Secretary of the Army to collaborate with defense industry stakeholders, universities, and research institutions to advance the technology.
The legislation also provides implementation flexibility to ensure alignment with existing service priorities and long-term modernization objectives.
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