RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

SEC. 107. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.Section 316(d) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 U.S.C. App. 1351(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: “(3) Program to accelerate research.— “(A) In general.—The Administrator shall establish and carry out a program to accelerate and expand the research, development, and implementation of technologies and procedures to counteract terrorist acts against civil aviation. “(B) Review of threats.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator shall complete an intensive review of threats to civil aviation, with particular focus on— “(i) the explosive materials which present the most significant threat to civil aircraft; “(ii) the minimum amounts, configurations, and types of explosive material which would reasonably be expected to cause catastrophic damage to commercial aircraft in service and expected to be in service in the 10-year period beginning on such date; “(iii) the minimum amounts, configurations, and types of explosive material which can cause catastrophic damage to commercial aircraft in service and expected to be in service in the 10-year period beginning on such date; “(iv) the amounts, configurations, and types of explosive material which can reliably be detected by existing, or reasonably anticipated, near-term explosive detection technologies; “(v) the feasibility of employing various methods to minimize damage caused by explosive materials which cannot be reliably detected by existing, or reasonably anticipated, near-term explosive detection technologies; “(vi) the ability to screen such different entities as passengers, carry-on baggage, checked baggage, mail, and cargo; and “(vii) the technologies which might be used in the future to attempt to destroy or otherwise threaten commercial aircraft and the methods by which such technologies can be effectively countered. “(C) Use of results.—The results of such review shall be used by the Administrator in developing the focus and priorities of the program established under this paragraph. “(D) Design and implementation.— In designing and implementing the program established under this paragraph, the Administrator snail— “(i) consult and coordinate with other Federal agencies conducting similar research; “(ii) identify Federal agencies which would benefit from such research; and “(iii) seek cost-sharing agreements with such Federal agencies. 104 STAT. 3077 “(4) Purpose.—It shall be the purpose of the program established under paragraph (3) to develop and have in place not later than 36 months after the date of the enactment of this paragraph such new equipment and procedures as are needed to meet the technological challenges presented by terrorism. “(5) Human factors.—The program established under paragraph (3) shall include research and development of both technological improvements and ways to enhance human performance. “(6) Grants and cooperative agreements.—Amounts appropriated for each fiscal year under paragraph (9) shall be made available by the Administrator, by way of grants, to colleges, universities, and other appropriate research institutions and facilities with demonstrated ability to conduct research described in paragraph (3). Such grants shall be in such amounts, and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Administrator may prescribe. The Administrator may also enter into such cooperative agreements with such governmental entities as the Administrator considers appropriate. “(7) Review.—In administration of the program established under paragraph (3), the Administrator shall review and consider the annual reports of the Secretary of Transportation submitted to Congress on transportation security and intelligence. “(8) Scientific advisory panel.— The Administrator shall establish a scientific advisory panel, as a subcommittee of the Research, Engineering and Development Advisory Committee, for the purpose of reviewing, commenting on, and advising the Administrator on the progress of, and any necessary modifications to, the programs established under paragraph (3), including the need for long-range research programs to detect and prevent catastrophic damage to commercial aircraft by the next generation of terrorist weapons. The panel shall consist of individuals with scientific and technical expertise in— “(A) the development and testing of effective explosive-detection systems; “(B) aircraft structure and experimentation to determine the type and minimum weights of explosives which an effective technology must be capable of detecting; “(C) technologies involved in the minimization of air-frame damage to aircraft from explosives; and “(D) such other scientific and technical areas as are considered appropriate by the Administrator. “(9) Authorization of appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, after completion of the review required by paragraph (3)(B), such sums as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the grant program established by paragraph (6).”.