Key Points:
- Addressing threat from malicious drones by enhancing airspace control, more enforcement, improving detection capabilities, and creating a new federal task force.
- Safe integration and commercialization of drones in the U.S., promoting domestic manufacturing, securing supply chains, and prioritizing U.S.-made drones for defense.
- Key actions include the FAA repealing supersonic overland flight restrictions
- The FAA is also tasked with expediting rulemaking for routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations and using AI to speed up waiver reviews.
- Initiatives are launched to develop a National Training Center for Counter-UAS and an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program.
Brief Summary:
This is a delayed review of several Executive Orders issued by the White House on June 6th that address a range of aerospace issues. Removing the restrictions against supersonic overland flights is notable. Two executive orders focus both on the expansion of BVLOS drone operations, something that investors in eVTOL and AAM ventures have long lobbied for, to include the use of “AI” in speeding up the waiver review process. It is unknown who the vendor of the AI review software.
Of note are several threats the White House is attempting to address. US drone industry supply chains, and the threat of malicious drones themselves. Due to supply chain and production scale issues, the US is likely to remain reliant on imported drone components. Initiatives to develop drone training centers on eVTOL and counter-UAS tech will be watched closely.
Malicious drones lack effective counters at a national scale, as demonstrated by the recent Spiderweb attacks in Russia. The impact of increasing drone restrictions will be felt by small business operators and hobbyists with no effect on any real threat. Mostly these executive orders thread a story about the interests of investors and bureaucrats being advanced, as the government of the US like others struggles to adapt to changes brought on by drone technology.
Leading The World in Supersonic Flight
President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order to reestablish the United States as the leader in high-speed aviation. The order states that outdated regulations from over 50 years ago have hindered supersonic flight over land, stifling American innovation and competitiveness. Advances in technology now make safe, sustainable, and commercially viable supersonic flight possible. The FAA Administrator is directed to repeal the prohibition on overland supersonic flight (14 CFR 91.817) within 180 days and establish an interim noise standard. Additional regulatory barriers (14 CFR 91.819 and 91.821) will also be immediately repealed.
Within 18 months, the FAA must propose a rule to establish a standard for supersonic aircraft noise certification under 14 CFR Part 36, defining acceptable noise thresholds based on testing and data. The order also mandates the coordination of supersonic research and development through the National Science and Technology Council to inform regulatory development and international engagement.
Source: Leading the World in Supersonic Flight
Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty
This Executive Order addresses the increasing threats posed by the weaponization of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) by criminals, terrorists, and hostile foreign actors. It highlights threats like drug cartels using drones for smuggling fentanyl and contraband, surveilling law enforcement, and endangering the public. Unauthorized flights at mass gatherings and critical infrastructure, including military bases, are also cited as frequent issues. The policy establishes that the United States will ensure control over its national airspace and protect the public and critical infrastructure from careless or unlawful UAS use. A Federal Task Force to Restore American Airspace Sovereignty, chaired by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, is created to review frameworks and propose solutions to UAS threats.
The FAA Administrator is directed to promptly submit a proposed rule for restricting drone flights over fixed sites [12(a)(i)] and coordinate national security assessments [13(b)]. The order emphasizes full enforcement of civil and criminal laws against drone operators who endanger the public or violate restrictions [14(a)]. Executive departments and agencies are encouraged to use existing authorities and equipment to detect, track, and identify drones and their signals [16(a)]. The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General are tasked with recommending whether areas like borders, large airports, and critical infrastructure should be designated as covered facilities under relevant statutes.
Furthermore, the order directs steps to implement recommendations for the National Training Center for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems, focusing initial training on securing major sporting events [18(b)].
Source: Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty
Unleashing American Drone Dominance
This Executive Order focuses on accelerating the safe commercialization and integration of drone technologies into the National Airspace System. Drones are recognized for enhancing productivity, creating jobs, and transforming industries like logistics, inspection, and public safety. Emerging technologies like electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft are highlighted for their potential in cargo and passenger transport. The policy aims to maintain U.S. leadership in UAS development, commercialization, and export by accelerating integration through timely, risk-based rulemaking [30(a)]. It seeks to advance domestic commercialization at scale by supporting innovation, reducing regulatory uncertainty, and streamlining processes [31(b)].
Strengthening the domestic drone industrial base and promoting the export of trusted, American-manufactured UAS is also a key goal [31(c)]. The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the FAA, must issue a proposed rule enabling routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations within 30 days and a final rule within 240 days [32(a)]. The FAA is also directed to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist and expedite the review of UAS waiver applications [33(c)].
The order establishes the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) to accelerate safe eVTOL deployment, selecting at least five pilot projects within 180 days of requesting proposals [36(a)]. Agencies are required to prioritize integrating U.S.-manufactured UAS over foreign ones [40(a)]. The order also mandates actions to secure the U.S. drone supply chain against foreign control or exploitation and promote exports of American-made civil UAS [41(c), 41(a)]. The Department of Defense is directed to prioritize the procurement of low-cost, high-performing U.S.-manufactured drones and streamline training approvals [43(a), 45(a)(iv), 46(a)].
