Defense Department would restrict buying and using certain robotic equipment

The defense secretary would stop signing or renewing contracts to buy covered systems or equipment and services containing them. Coverage includes specified ground robots produced by companies incorporated in China, certain laser sensors, and other systems or parts the secretary identifies under supplier or security-risk rules. The secretary could grant renewable waivers lasting up to 180 days each. Each waiver would require no available, technically acceptable alternative, an essential ongoing mission, excessive replacement costs, and security safeguards. The system must also be unable to exchange data with covered foreign entities and pose no cybersecurity risk to national security. The contract restriction would begin no later than one year after enactment.

Defense Department units would stop operating covered robotic systems in sensitive operational settings. Coverage includes specified ground robots produced by companies incorporated in China, certain laser sensors, and other systems or parts identified under supplier or security-risk rules. The secretary could grant renewable waivers lasting up to 180 days each. Each waiver would require no available, technically acceptable alternative, an essential ongoing mission, excessive replacement costs, and security safeguards. The system must also be unable to exchange data with covered foreign entities and pose no cybersecurity risk to national security. The operating restriction would begin no later than two years after enactment.

The Defense Department could not commit or spend its money to lease or operate covered robotic systems. Coverage includes specified ground robots produced by companies incorporated in China, certain laser sensors, and other systems or parts identified under supplier or security-risk rules. The waiver authority for purchasing and sensitive operations would not apply to this funding ban. The funding ban would take effect one year after enactment for new leases and three years after enactment for continued operation of systems already in service.