Donald Trump signs executive order to make drones for supersonic defense

U.S. president Donald Trump has signed an executive order giving the go ahead for production of drones for supersonic defense.

The executive order signed on 11 June also comes with two others directing a pilot program for testing of vehicles for civilian mobility and defense logistics.

Taking the lead

The executive orders are coming as Trump seeks to put America ahead in technology, especially supersonic technology. 

In the past administration, regulatory red tape made it impossible to produce drones and other flying vehicles for defense. 

Commenting, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios said:

“Decades of regulatory gridlock have grounded advancements in drones, flying cars, and supersonic flight in the U.S. With today’s EOs, the Trump Administration is giving America’s innovators greater ability to test, develop, and commercialize these cutting-edge aircrafts that will reshape aviation. President Trump’s actions will unleash a new era of American aviation dominance, fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and protecting our national security.

With the newly signed executive orders, domestic drone innovation, secure supply chains will be accelerated to reduce reliance on adversarial nations.

The orders will also repeal regulations that stalled supersonic flight, and assert U.S. leadership in emerging aviation sectors. 

Testing flying vehicles

As part of the provisions of the orders, a pilot program for testing of flying cars, also known as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, for EMS, air taxis, cargo, and defense logistics has been initiated. 

President Trump had in 2017 successfully initiated a drone pilot program, and the eVTOL pilot program is building on the successes so far.

Through the program, the U.S. government hopes to properly tackle the growing threats from criminal, terrorist, and foreign misuse of drones inside U.S. airspace by securing its borders against aerial threats by cracking down on unlawful drone activity.