Unleashing American Drone Dominance
This Executive Order directs federal agencies to accelerate the safe commercialization, integration, and export of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, or drones) and related advanced aviation (notably eVTOL — electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft). It sets specific deadlines for regulatory actions, launches a multi-site pilot program for eVTOL operations, requires use of AI to speed FAA waiver reviews, prioritizes U.S.-made drone components, and pushes agencies to expand exports and defense use of trusted American drones. The stated goals are to scale domestic production, strengthen supply-chain and national-security protections, create jobs, and maintain U.S. leadership in drone technology. If implemented, the order could speed routine commercial drone operations (including flights beyond visual line of sight), increase investment and testing of advanced air mobility, expand U.S. drone exports and financing tools for foreign customers, and push the Department of Defense to adopt more U.S.-made drones. It also raises issues for safety, privacy, spectrum use, and international regulatory alignment, and is subject to applicable law and available funding.
Key Points
- 1Regulatory acceleration for BVLOS: The Department of Transportation (DOT) via FAA must propose a rule within 30 days to enable routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS operations for commercial and public safety uses and publish a final rule within 240 days as appropriate. The FAA must also set performance and safety metrics within 30 days and report regulatory barriers within 180 days.
- 2Use of AI to speed approvals: Within 120 days the FAA must deploy AI tools to help review Part 107 waiver applications. AI will support risk-based evaluation, identify similar precedents and mitigations, spot operation categories that could be standardized, and follow federal AI guidance (OMB M-25-21).
- 3eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP): DOT/FAA, with OSTP, will extend the BEYOND program to create an eVTOL pilot program. Timeline highlights: public request for proposals to state/local/tribal/territorial governments within 90 days; proposals due within 90 days; at least five pilots selected within 180 days of the request; pilots expected to start operations quickly; program runs for 3 years from first operational pilot unless extended. DOT/FAA must report initial, annual, and final program outcomes.
- 4Strengthening and securing domestic supply chain: All agencies should prioritize U.S.-made UAS where legally permitted. The Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) must publish a Covered Foreign Entity List within 30 days identifying companies that pose supply chain risks. The Commerce Department must take action within 90 days (including proposing rules and investigations) to secure the drone supply chain from foreign control or exploitation.
- 5Export and defense priorities: Commerce, coordinating with State, Defense, and Energy, will review and (as appropriate) amend export control rules within 90 days to speed export of U.S.-made civil UAS to qualified partners while preventing diversion to disallowed programs. Export promotion and finance agencies (DoD, Export-Import Bank, DFC, TDA) are directed to prioritize support for U.S. civil UAS exports using available financial and technical tools. The Department of Defense must prioritize procurement of U.S.-made drones compliant with section 848 of the FY2020 NDAA (DIU Blue UAS List), expand and update the list quickly, streamline training airspace and spectrum access, and identify military programs that could be replaced or improved by UAS.