HR 4753
LEAD Act of 2025
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Bill overview
The LEAD Act of 2025 amends the Arms Export Control Act to treat certain unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) as if they were manned aircraft systems for export control purposes. Specifically, it expands the definition of ‘covered unmanned aircraft systems and items’ to include reusable UAS controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Missile Technology Control Regime. The legislation also directs the President to update regulations within the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect these changes and clarify the treatment of UAS within the Missile Technology Control Regime.
Key provisions
- Expands the definition of ‘covered unmanned aircraft systems and items’ to include reusable UAS.
- Treats covered UAS as ‘manned aircraft systems’ for export control purposes.
- Directs the President to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to align with the new definition.
- Directs the President to amend the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) regulations to treat UAS separately.
- Sets deadlines for the President to implement these changes in the Code of Federal Regulations.
Who is affected
- U.S. exporters of defense articles and services
- Allies and partners involved in co-production and co-development agreements
- The Department of Defense
- The Department of State
- The Missile Technology Control Regime
Notable changes
- Changes the way the U.S. treats unmanned aircraft systems in export control regulations.
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 4753
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend the Arms Export Control Act to address arms export controls for certain unmanned aircraft systems and items, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Leading Exports of Aerial Drones Act of 2025 LEAD Act of 2025
or the
.
shall not be considered launch vehicles, missile technology, or missile equipment subject to controls or export restrictions for purposes of adherence by the United States to the Missile Technology Control Regime.
Chapter 7 of such Act (22 U.S.C. 2797 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 73B the following:
It is the policy of the United States to treat covered unmanned aircraft systems and items (as defined in section 38(m)(2)(B)) as manned aircraft systems and items for purposes of implementing the Missile Technology Control Regime.
are subject to the same export control provisions as manned aircraft systems and items and that, for purposes of part 121 of such title, shall be reviewed under the same criteria and guidelines as manned aircraft systems and items; and
are distinct from launch vehicles, missile technology, and missile equipment and are subject to separate export control provisions and that, for purposes of part 121 of such title, shall be reviewed under criteria specific to their technological and operational characteristics.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall amend section 120.23 of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, to provide that, for purposes of implementing the Missile Technology Control Regime, the United States shall treat covered unmanned aircraft systems and items—
separately from missile technology, including for purposes of co-production and co-development agreements with allies and partners; and
as manned aircraft systems and items that shall not be subject to controls, missile technology reviews, or export restrictions for purposes of adherence by the United States to the Missile Technology Control Regime.
In this section:
The term covered unmanned aircraft systems and items has the meaning given that term in subsection (m)(2) of section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778), as added by subsection (a).