On June 6, 2025, the White House released two signed executive orders aimed at strengthening the United States’ leadership in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and securing American airspace against emerging threats.

Advancing American Drone Capabilities

The first executive order, titled “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” focuses on expanding the operational scope and technological advancement of U.S.-manufactured drones. Key initiatives include:

• Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Operations: Directing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enable routine BVLOS drone operations for commercial and public safety missions, facilitating broader applications such as infrastructure inspection and emergency response.
• Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration: Establishing a pilot program to accelerate the deployment of eVTOL aircraft, selecting at least five projects to advance applications like cargo transport and medical response.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Utilization: Instructing the FAA to deploy AI tools to streamline and expedite UAS waiver reviews, enhancing efficiency in regulatory processes.
• Domestic Industrial Strengthening: Prioritizing U.S.-manufactured UAS in federal procurement, promoting their export, and securing technology from undue foreign influence.
• Global Competitiveness: Streamlining regulations and expanding market access to bolster the U.S. position in the global drone industry.

These measures aim to enhance U.S. productivity, create high-skilled jobs, and reshape the future of aviation through innovations in logistics, agriculture, and public safety.

Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty

The second executive order, titled “Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty,” addresses the growing threats posed by unauthorized and potentially hostile drone activities. Key components include:

• Federal Task Force Establishment: Creating the Federal Task Force to Restore American Airspace Sovereignty to review and propose solutions to UAS threats.
• Critical Infrastructure Protection: Directing the FAA to establish processes to restrict drone flights over critical infrastructure and public facilities, and to make relevant airspace information freely available for geofencing purposes.
• Enhanced Enforcement: Mandating increased enforcement of laws against drone operators who endanger public safety or violate airspace restrictions.
• Detection and Counter-UAS Measures: Authorizing federal agencies to detect, track, and identify drones and their signals, and enabling local law enforcement to access grant programs for similar equipment.
• National Training Center: Establishing a National Training Center for Counter-UAS to build capacity for securing major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics.

These actions are in response to the increasing misuse of drones, including drug smuggling and surveillance of law enforcement activities.

For the unmanned systems industry, these executive orders signal a significant federal commitment to advancing drone technology and ensuring the security of American airspace. Stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the new regulatory frameworks and contribute to the evolving landscape of UAS operations in the United States.