The purpose of this executive order is to strengthen the domestic drone industrial base, promote the export of American manufactured drones, expand commercial unmanned aircraft operations in the United States and to continue to procure, integrate and train low-cost, high-performing drones for the military. The order directs the secretary of Transportation to: (a) issue a proposed rule enabling the use of drones beyond visual line of sight operations (BVLOS) and the development of metrics for assessing the performance and safety metrics for BVLOS; (b) use AI to expedite approval of drone waiver applications; (c) explore options to ensure that drone flights beginning and ending in the United States airspace can operate without being subject to the manned aircraft rules in international navigation; (d) ensure that all FAA drone test ranges are fully utilized to support the development, testing and scaling of American drone technologies; and (e) establish an electric vertical takeoff and landing pilot program for drones. The order also directs the secretary of commerce to promote the export of American-made drones as long as they are not sold to adversaries. Finally, it directs the Department of War to increase the access to drones for members of the military and to prioritize the procurement of drones from American manufacturers.
News | June 6, 2025