ACERO Act

The Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations Act (ACERO Act) would task NASA with leveraging its Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project to improve aerial wildfire response. The bill directs NASA to conduct research and development aimed at enhancing aerial coordination, information sharing, and real-time situational awareness during wildfire events. It envisions a multi-agency, interoperable framework for coordinating aerial assets across federal, state, and local partners, with the goal of reducing injuries, protecting property, and lowering economic damages from wildfires. The Act includes protections to limit reliance on foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) unless a case-by-case waiver is granted for national-interest purposes, requires annual congressional reports through 2030 on progress and results, and authorizes $15 million for Fiscal Year 2026 to support ACERO activities. It also defines key terms and sets up collaboration with federal, state, local governments, industry, academia, and other partners to avoid duplication of efforts.