Latest news with #OfficeofScienceandTechnologyPolicy
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Herald Scotland
Trump takes big step to make flying cars a reality
"This year, flying cars are not just for the Jetsons. They are also for the American people in the near term," Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, told reporters. Trump in an executive order directed the Federal Aviation Administration to expedite approval for routine commercial drone operations that retailers such as Amazon have said are crucial to expanding airborne deliveries. Orders that Trump signed will also allow manufacturers to begin testing flying cars and removed regulatory barriers his administration says are preventing supersonic over land passenger flights from being introduced in the United States. The changes will also allow drones to be used to be used in emergency response situations, including responding to wildfires, and long-distance cargo and medical delivery, the administration says. Trump's order establishes a pilot program for electrical vertical take-off and landing aircraft, known as eVTOLs, a type of flying car, that his administration hopes will lead to public private partnerships across the country. It is based on a 2017 program from the first Trump administration and will apply to emergency medical services, air taxis and cargo deliveries among other areas. The administration says the program will allow companies that are already conducting this type of testing, such as Joby's air taxi service, to partner with state, local and tribal governments. The California-based company plans to begin flight testing in Dubai within months and aims to launch passenger services on the aircraft in late 2025 or early 2026. Flying cars are coming! Here's how they could change the way you travel. Another order instructs the FAA to establish a standard for noise certification and lift a ban on overland supersonic flight. Kratsios said that advances in aerospace engineering and noise reduction have made over land supersonic flight safe, sustainable and commercially viable but federal regulations have grounded the speedy passenger flights and weakened U.S. companies' competitiveness. "The reality is that Americans should be able to fly from New York to LA in under four hours," Kratsios said. Trump separately established a federal task force to review and propose solutions to threats to America's airspace from personal unmanned aircraft and directed his administration to step up enforcement of civil and criminal laws against drone operators who endanger the public or violate airspace restrictions. The directives were issued with the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics on the horizon.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Trump signs order to boost drone security ahead of World Cup, Olympics
Officials say the aim of the orders is to boost US manufacturing and innovation while reducing dependence on foreign rivals like China, which leads the global commercial drone market Bloomberg By Allyson Versprille and Hadriana Lowenkron President Donald Trump signed executive orders Friday to bolster US drone capabilities, including strengthening counter-drone tools ahead of major sporting events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics that will be hosted in the country. 'Taking action on airspace security has never been timelier,' Michael Kratsios, the director of White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy, told reporters Friday, citing the upcoming events that are expected to draw millions of fans to the US. 'The administration is cracking down on unlawful drone use, ordering a federal task force to ensure US control over American skies and prioritizing the detection and identification of drones in real time.' The intention of the three orders, according to officials, is to boost US manufacturing and innovation while decreasing reliance on foreign adversaries, such as China, which dominates the commercial drone market. One executive order to improve counter-drone capabilities establishes the task force, which would review and propose solutions to threats, according to a White House fact sheet. The order also calls for the creation of a national training center to prepare authorities for the World Cup and Olympics and instructs the Federal Aviation Administration to expedite a rule for restricting drone flights near certain facilities, including critical infrastructure, oil refineries, chemical plants and amusement parks. The proposed regulation is already being reviewed by the White House's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. 'Drones are a disruptive technology,' said Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the president. 'They have an amazing potential for both good and ill.' A second executive order is intended to promote the US market for new technologies, including drones and air taxis. It directs the FAA to speed up another rule under White House review that would allow companies to fly drones beyond a remote pilot's direct line of sight without having to obtain individual waivers and exemptions. Companies, such as those using drones to deliver packages, have said the rules will make it easier for them to scale up their businesses and expand to more locations. The order also directs federal agencies to give priority to US-manufactured drones, according to a fact sheet. Senior White House officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity before the orders were signed Friday, said the directive was meant to reduce reliance on technology from other countries. While it doesn't ban any specific companies, such as China's Da Jiang Innovations — the world leader in commercial drone sales — it does direct the Commerce Department to begin investigations and regulatory reviews to safeguard the US drone supply chain. That could result in a company being placed on a list that would bar new drones from being able to access US networks, one of the officials said. The National Defense Authorization Act enacted at the end of 2024 mandated reviews of both DJI and Autel Robotics, another Chinese firm, to determine if they pose a national security risk. The Trump administration has expanded restrictions on the transfer of advanced technology to China, including artificial intelligence and jet engine parts — moves that are a key point in trade discussions between the world's two largest economies. According to the Atlantic Council, China controls 90% of the commercial drone market in the US and 80% globally. American companies have struggled to compete, which the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International has said is partly because Beijing subsidizes its domestic companies, allowing them to offer products at prices significantly lower than US counterparts. The third executive order is meant to promote supersonic technology in the US, in part by repealing regulations officials cast as impeding development. That includes directing the FAA to repeal a ban on supersonic flights over land, according to a White House fact sheet. Michael Robbins, the chief executive officer of AUVSI, hailed the orders, saying they 'showcase that drones are critical to American economic strength, national security, and global leadership.'
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
FIFA World Cup 2026: Donald Trump signs executive order to boost drone security
(Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump signed executive orders Friday to bolster US drone capabilities, including strengthening counter-drone tools ahead of major sporting events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics that will be hosted in the country. 'Taking action on airspace security has never been timelier,' Michael Kratsios, the director of White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy, told reporters Friday, citing the upcoming events that are expected to draw millions of fans to the US. 'The administration is cracking down on unlawful drone use, ordering a federal task force to ensure US control over American skies and prioritizing the detection and identification of drones in real time.' The intention of the three orders, according to officials, is to boost US manufacturing and innovation while decreasing reliance on foreign adversaries, such as China, which dominates the commercial drone market. The administration is also seeking to combat malicious acts, particularly following a public outcry last year over increased drone sightings in New Jersey. Ukraine's recent use of drones in its war to repel Russia's invasion, in particular a daring attack on airfields as far away as Siberia, has also drawn attention to the advancements — and threats — the technology poses. One executive order to improve counter-drone capabilities establishes the task force, which would review and propose solutions to threats, according to a White House fact sheet. The order also calls for the creation of a national training center to prepare authorities for the World Cup and Olympics and instructs the Federal Aviation Administration to expedite a rule for restricting drone flights near certain facilities, including critical infrastructure, oil refineries, chemical plants and amusement parks. The proposed regulation is already being reviewed by the White House's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. 'Drones are a disruptive technology,' said Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the president. 'They have an amazing potential for both good and ill.' A second executive order is intended to promote the US market for new technologies, including drones and air taxis. It directs the FAA to speed up another rule under White House review that would allow companies to fly drones beyond a remote pilot's direct line of sight without having to obtain individual waivers and exemptions. Companies, such as those using drones to deliver packages, have said the rules will make it easier for them to scale up their businesses and expand to more locations. The order also directs federal agencies to give priority to US-manufactured drones, according to a fact sheet. Senior White House officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity before the orders were signed Friday, said the directive was meant to reduce reliance on technology from other countries. While it doesn't ban any specific companies, such as China's Da Jiang Innovations — the world leader in commercial drone sales — it does direct the Commerce Department to begin investigations and regulatory reviews to safeguard the US drone supply chain. That could result in a company being placed on a list that would bar new drones from being able to access US networks, one of the officials said. The National Defense Authorization Act enacted at the end of 2024 mandated reviews of both DJI and Autel Robotics, another Chinese firm, to determine if they pose a national security risk. The Trump administration has expanded restrictions on the transfer of advanced technology to China, including artificial intelligence and jet engine parts — moves that are a key point in trade discussions between the world's two largest economies. According to the Atlantic Council, China controls 90% of the commercial drone market in the US and 80% globally. American companies have struggled to compete, which the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International has said is partly because Beijing subsidizes its domestic companies, allowing them to offer products at prices significantly lower than US counterparts. The third executive order is meant to promote supersonic technology in the US, in part by repealing regulations officials cast as impeding development. That includes directing the FAA to repeal a ban on supersonic flights over land, according to a White House fact sheet. Michael Robbins, the chief executive officer of AUVSI, hailed the orders, saying they 'showcase that drones are critical to American economic strength, national security, and global leadership.' (Updates with additional details from White House fact sheets, industry reaction starting in fifth paragraph.) More stories like this are available on
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump signs orders to enhance drone defenses, support supersonic travel
-- President Donald Trump signed three executive orders on Friday to strengthen U.S. defenses against drone threats, support the development of electric air taxis, and promote supersonic commercial aircraft, according to a White House announcement. The executive orders aim to enable routine use of drones beyond the visual range of operators, a crucial move for commercial drone deliveries. The orders also include steps to lessen U.S. dependence on Chinese drone firms and initiate testing of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. A federal task force is set to be established by Trump to ensure U.S. control over American airspace, broaden restrictions around sensitive locations, increase federal use of technology for real-time drone detection, and offer assistance to state and local law enforcement. The orders also address concerns over the misuse of drones in U.S. airspace by criminal terrorists and foreign entities, according to Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. This move is particularly relevant with large-scale public events such as the Olympics and the World Cup approaching. In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration has been directed by Trump to remove a ban, in place since 1973, on supersonic air transport over land. This change is supported by recent advancements in aerospace engineering, material science, and noise reduction, which make overland supersonic flight not only possible, but also safe, sustainable, and commercially viable, stated Kratsios. The aim is to enable Americans to travel from New York to L.A. in less than four hours. Related articles Trump signs orders to enhance drone defenses, support supersonic travel Major US airlines urge FAA to delay new cockpit security measures Legal startup Harvey AI reportedly raising $250M at $5B valuation
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Trump signs orders to bolster US drone defenses, boost supersonic flight
President Donald Trump on Friday signed executive orders to bolster US defenses against threatening drones and to boost electric air taxis and supersonic commercial aircraft and supersonic commercial aircraft, the White House said. In the three executive orders, Trump sought to enable routine use of drones beyond the visual sight of operators – a key step to enabling commercial drone deliveries – and take steps to reduce the U.S. reliance on Chinese drone companies and begin testing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. 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. Trump also aims to address the 'growing threat of criminal terrorists and foreign misuse of drones in US airspace,' said 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.' 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 U.S. sporting events. 'We will be increasing counter-drone capabilities and capacities,' 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 last year after a flurry of drone sightings in New Jersey. The FAA receives more than 100 drone-sighting reports near airports each month. Drone sightings have at times disrupted flights and sporting events. Trump also directed the Federal Aviation Administration to lift a ban imposed in 1973 on supersonic air transport over land. 'The reality is that Americans should be able to fly from New York to L.A. in under four hours,' 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 Trump orders do not ban any Chinese drone company, officials said. Last year, 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.
