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Exploring the Contents of Trump's Two Drone-Related Executive Orders

U.S. drone industry receives boost with Trump's fresh executive orders, pushing forward beyond visual line of sight rules, and bolstering airspace safety – uncover the specifics here.

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U.S. President Trump issues executive orders to reinforce domestic drone sector, expedite Beyond...
U.S. President Trump issues executive orders to reinforce domestic drone sector, expedite Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) regulations, and strengthen drone airspace security - discover more insights here.

Let's dive into the lowdown on the two new executive orders whipped up by President Trump recently, all focused on the drone biz.

First things first, clear the air: neither of these Orders will see Chinese drone makers DJI getting the boot. With all the chatter about a potential ban prior to the release of the Orders, it's a no-go.

Instead, these Orders aim to encourage the drone industry's development in the US.

The first one, nicknamed "Unleashing American Drone Dominance," concentrates on expediting Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and supporting US-based drone companies. Essentially, the federal government is hopping to prioritize US drones over imports, especially those coming from the East.

The other Order named "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty" focuses on beefing up security, making sure our skies stay clear and safe by enhancing Counter UAS (CUAS) equipment and training our troops.

Here's a quick rundown of the main takeaways from both Orders:

  • BVLOSoperation acceleration: FAA is urged to get moving on rules enabling routine BVLOS drone flights.
  • Support for US drone companies: Federal agencies must favor domestic drone makers over foreign made ones.
  • CUAS: A new federal Task Force will pioneer ways to detect, monitor and quash rogue drones. State and local law enforcement will receive grants and novel tech to spot unauthorized flights, while a fresh training center will be established for CUAS equipment.

Now, let's dig a bit deeper into each Order.

"Unleashing American Drone Dominance"

This Order is a grand directive designed to level the playing field and catapult the US drone industry to the forefront of global innovation.

Key areas of focus:

  • Accelerated BVLOS rulemaking: Within 30 days, FAA must propose new rules, and within 240 days, it needs to publish a final rule. Pressure's on to expedite rulemaking after years of delay.
  • Supporting US drone makers: Federal agencies are requested to prioritize US-manufactured drones over foreign competition, particularly Chinese offerings, to strengthen the domestic supply chain, boost US jobs, and lessen reliance on foreign technology.
  • AI-powered waiver process: AI becomes your new BFF, streamlining the drone waiver process, making it simpler for operators to secure permission to fly their drones.
  • Updated airspace integration roadmap: FAA needs to revise its roadmap for integrating drones into national airspace, considering novel technologies and use cases.
  • Advanced Air Mobility: A pilot program for at least five projects focused on cargo transportation, medical emergency solutions, and other vertical mobility applications using electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is established.

What's the deal with Part 108?

Part 108, the new rule that's been in the works by the FAA for years, had some set deadlines that were missed, leaving many in the drone world agitated and concerned about potential delays for the final rule, which could have pushed it out to 2027.

However, the "Unleashing American Drone Dominance" Order directly addresses this regulatory logjam, setting stricter deadlines. The FAA is now under pressure to propose a BVLOS rule within 30 days and finalize it within 240 days of the Order's signing. While the upcoming rule will likely be in line with what's been anticipated as Part 108, the Order ensures it will be delivered much faster than anticipated.

"Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty"

While the former Order leans on advancing the US drone industry, the "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty" Order puts security center-stage.

This Order sets out to tackle the growing issue of unauthorized and potentially hazardous drones, aiming to protect critical infrastructure, public events, and sensitive government sites.

Crucial initiatives of the Airspace Sovereignty Order:

  • Creation of a federal task force: A Task Force will be fashioned to govern Counter-UAS strategies, ensuring alignment across federal, state and local agencies.
  • Critical infrastructure protection: The FAA must implement clear processes for restricting drone operations near crucial infrastructure and public facilities, with this information provided for geofencing and navigation systems.
  • Detection and Counter-UAS measures: Federal agencies receive the green light to detect, track, and identify rogue drones. Local law enforcement is tipped with grants and innovative technology to boost their ability to monitor for unauthorized drone flights.
  • National training center: A new National Training Center for Counter-UAS is established, centered on building expertise and readiness, especially for securing major events like the World Cup and Olympics.
  • Integration with terrorism task forces: Counter-UAS responses are integrated into Joint Terrorism Task Forces to enhance security at high-profile events and sensitive locations.

What's Next?

Taken as a whole, these two Orders represent a significant step forward for the US drone industry.

By fast-tracking BVLOS operations, supporting domestic manufacturers, and fortifying airspace security, the administration aims to position American companies and operators at the forefront of global innovation, while also ensuring safety in the skies.

Whether you're a commercial drone jockey, drone maker or a law enforcement agency, these changes point to a concerted effort to make things easier for the US drone industry.

We'll be following closely to see the impact these Orders have on US drone companies. Will there be a surge in drone sales, and will they have the capacity to meet higher demand?

We'll also eagerly await the draft BVLOS rule. If the FAA holds to the deadline, we should see it in our hands in about a month.

  • The first executive order, dubbed "Unleashing American Drone Dominance," prioritizes US drones over imports in the federal government's purchases, aiming to boost US jobs and lessen reliance on foreign technology.
  • The FAA is urged to accelerate rulemaking for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flights in the "Unleashing American Drone Dominance" Order, with a target of proposing new rules within 30 days and publishing a final rule within 240 days.
  • The "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty" Order focuses on enhancing Counter UAS (CUAS) equipment and training, intending to protect critical infrastructure, public events, and sensitive government sites from rogue drones.
  • In the "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty" Order, a federal task force is created to govern Counter-UAS strategies, ensuring cooperation across federal, state, and local agencies for security purposes.
  • The "Unleashing American Drone Dominance" Order also includes an AI-powered waiver process, intended to simplify the drone waiver process for operators seeking permission to fly their drones.
  • The navigation of drones near crucial infrastructure and public facilities will be regulated more effectively in line with the "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty" Order, with the FAA providing necessary information for geofencing and navigation systems.

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