President Donald Trump signed three executive orders on June 6, aimed at strengthening drone defences in the United States.
This was done to promote the development of supersonic flight and remove barriers to the future use of flying cars.
The orders encouraged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fast-track rules that allowed companies to operate drones beyond the operator’s line of sight. They also include restrictions intended to counter terrorism, espionage, and threats to public safety.
Trump signs the new executive orders
“President Donald Trump on Friday signed executive orders to bolster U.S. defenses against threatening drones and to boost electric air taxis and supersonic commercial aircraft,” the White House confirmed.
Drones are already being used in various sectors, including search and rescue, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and package delivery.
However, officials raised concerns about how drones could be used maliciously, especially following their role in the war in Ukraine and espionage activities.
Michael Kratsios, the assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said the government has a responsibility to protect and restore America’s airspace sovereignty.
“These orders also address the growing threat of criminal, terrorist and foreign misuse of drones in U.S. airspace.”
“We have a responsibility to protect and restore airspace sovereignty,” said Michael Kratsios, assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Why the US empasizes on the defence boost
With events like the World Cup and Olympics approaching in the U.S., Trump and the administration emphasised the need to protect the airspace above large gatherings.
“Drones are a disruptive technology. They have an amazing potential for both good and ill,” said Sebastian Gorka, senior director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council.
“We will increase the enforcement of current laws to deter two types of individuals: evildoers and idiots the clueless and the careless,” he added.
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The FAA has been testing drone detection systems and exploring methods such as using radio signals, high-power microwaves, and laser beams to neutralise threats.
The new orders also allowed state and local authorities to be trained to respond to unauthorised drones and expand law enforcement drone usage.
Another order sought to remove outdated restrictions on supersonic flights and aimed at replacing the ban on overland flights with a noise-based standard.
US future defense plans
“The reality is that Americans should be able to fly from New York to LA in under four hours,” said Kratsios.
“Advances in aerospace engineering, material science and noise reduction now make overland supersonic flight not just possible, but safe, sustainable and commercially viable,” he further stated.
The administration is also pushing to reduce reliance on foreign-made drones, particularly those from China.
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It plans to prioritise U.S.-made drones in federal procurement and tighten rules on wireless data transmission.
“This executive order marks a long-overdue investment in drone deterrence,” said Craig Singleton, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
“Drone warfare isn’t a future threat, it’s already here,” he added.
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