Military Helicopter Training Safety Act of 2025: Congress Checks If Anti-Collision Systems Are Feasible

The Military Helicopter Training Safety Act of 2025 is all about checking whether it makes sense to put more advanced anti-collision tech in military helicopters. Basically, Congress is asking the Department of Defense to study two specific systems and report back.

Eyes in the Sky?

This bill focuses on two main safety systems. The first is a "traffic alert and collision avoidance system"—basically the same kind of tech that keeps commercial airliners from bumping into each other (as defined in section 121.356 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations). The second is something called "automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast IN" (ADS-B IN) capability. Think of it as a high-tech way for aircraft to see and be seen, even if they aren't talking directly to air traffic control.

Within 90 days of this Act becoming law, the Secretary of Defense has to deliver two reports to Congress. (SEC. 2 & SEC. 3)

The Real-World Check

These reports aren't just about whether the tech can be installed, but about whether it should be. Here's what the reports have to cover:

• Money Matters: How much will it cost to install these systems in each type of military helicopter? (SEC. 2 & SEC. 3)
• Civilian Safety: Will putting these systems in military helicopters make the skies safer for everyone, including civilian planes and pilots? (SEC. 2 & SEC. 3)
• Cockpit Changes: Will these systems require major overhauls of helicopter cockpits? (SEC. 2 & SEC. 3)
• Mission Impact: Could installing these systems mess with combat readiness, training exercises, or domestic security operations? (SEC. 2 & SEC. 3)
• Plan B: If installing either system isn't feasible, the Secretary of Defense has to recommend other options that could achieve the same safety goals. (SEC. 2 & SEC. 3)

What It Means

Imagine a military helicopter pilot flying a training mission over a populated area. With better collision avoidance tech, the risk of a mid-air accident goes down. That's good for the pilots, and it's good for anyone on the ground. Now, imagine a search and rescue chopper operating in crowded airspace after a natural disaster. ADS-B IN could help them navigate safely and efficiently, getting help where it's needed faster.

But what if the cost of installing these systems is astronomical? Or what if they interfere with a helicopter's ability to perform its primary mission? That's what these reports are designed to figure out.

This bill is essentially Congress saying, "Safety is important, but let's make sure we're doing it in a way that makes sense."