Trump signs orders to bolster US drone defences, boost supersonic flight
Mr Trump sought to enable routine use of drones beyond the visual sight of operators and reduce US reliance on Chinese drone companies. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on June 6 signed executive orders to bolster US defences against threatening drones and to boost electric air taxis and supersonic commercial aircraft, the White House said.
In the three executive orders, Mr Trump sought to enable routine use of drones beyond the visual sight of operators - a key step to enabling commercial drone deliveries - and reduce US reliance on Chinese drone companies as well as advance testing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
The order should boost eVTOL firms including Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation.
Mr Trump is establishing a federal task force to ensure US control over American skies, expand restrictions over sensitive sites, expand federal use of technology to detect drones in real time and provide assistance to state and local law enforcement.
Mr Trump also aims to address the 'growing threat of criminal terrorists and foreign misuse of drones in US airspace,' said Mr Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
'We are securing our borders from national security threats, including in the air, with large-scale public events such as the Olympics and the World Cup on the horizon.'
The National Football League praised the executive order, saying it was critical to protecting fans.
'Over the past several years, an increasing number of drones have flown into restricted airspace during our games. This executive order is the most significant step taken to address the issue,' the NFL said, adding Congress should also take action.
Mr Sebastian Gorka, senior director of counterterrorism at the National Security Council, cited the use of drones in Russia's war in Ukraine and threats to major US sporting events.
'We will be increasing counter-drone capabilities and capacities,' Mr Gorka said. 'We will increase the enforcement of current laws to deter two types of individuals: evildoers and idiots.'
The issue of suspicious drones also gained significant attention in 2024 after a flurry of drone sightings in New Jersey.
The Federal Aviation Administration receives more than 100 drone-sighting reports near airports each month.
Drone sightings have at times disrupted flights and sporting events.
Mr Trump also directed the FAA to lift a ban imposed in 1973 on supersonic air transport over land.
Supersonic aircraft have been criticised by environmentalists for burning more fuel per passenger than comparable subsonic planes.
'The reality is that Americans should be able to fly from New York to LA in under four hours,' Mr Kratsios said. 'Advances in aerospace engineering, material science and noise reduction now make overland supersonic flight not just possible, but safe, sustainable and commercially viable.'
The order directs FAA to repeal the supersonic speed limit as long as aircraft do not produce an audible sonic boom on the ground.
Airplane manufacturer Boom Supersonic welcomed the move. Its CEO, Mr Blake Scholl, said: 'The supersonic race is on and a new era of commercial flight can begin.'
The era of regular commercial supersonic flights ended in 2003 when Concorde, flown by Air France and British Airways, was retired after 27 years of service.
The Trump orders do not ban any Chinese drone company, officials said.
In 2024, former President Joe Biden signed legislation that could ban China-based DJI and Autel Robotics from selling new drone models in the US.
DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer, sells more than half of all US commercial drones. REUTERS
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