13. June 2025
Trump Administration Unveils Plans To Revolutionize Us Drone Industry With New Export Push
The Trump administration has issued two executive orders aimed at promoting the export of American-made drones and scaling up domestic production. The first order, “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” seeks to accelerate testing and enable routine drone operations, expand the export of trusted drone technologies to global markets, and reform the current regulatory framework for drone exports.
Under the current system, drones are classified as dual-use items, meaning they can be used for both military and civilian/commercial purposes. This classification leads to two regulatory umbrellas: the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) administered by the U.S. State Department or the Commerce Department’s Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The Trump administration wants to promote the export of U.S.-made civilian drones, which are designed for use in various applications such as agriculture, surveying, and package delivery.
The executive order marks a new beginning for American drone producers, according to Brendan Stewart, vice president of regulatory affairs at UAS manufacturer Red Cat Holdings. “It’s what we’ve seen over the past 10-15 years in terms of visionary solutions,” he said. However, Stewart notes that export regulators face significant challenges when deciding which technologies to allow for export.
For instance, ITAR prevents certain exports to certain countries based on the capabilities of the drone. For example, Red Cat faces restrictions if it attempts to sell a drone with advanced thermal capabilities to an overseas customer. Similarly, another friend has barriers to exporting agricultural spray drones due to concerns that they could be used for chemical warfare.
Dr. Jamey Jacob, executive director of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education, notes that determining which technologies are benign and which should be restricted is a difficult puzzle for government officials. “It’s really about releasing some of those restrictions for components that are widely used in consumer and recreational drone applications,” he said. However, Jacob cautions that “the same components that go into a drone could go into a cruise missile.”
Many American drone manufacturers rely on Chinese components to power their drones, which can make it difficult for the U.S. government to restrict exports of certain technologies. The executive order aims to reform the way drones are classified under ITAR and provide financial incentives to domestic manufacturers through the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
While the orders mark a good first step in promoting American drone exports, Jacob notes that much work remains to be done to complete the process. “This is an executive order, and it doesn’t mean much until directives are flowed down to the proper authorities, and you find appropriations to support those efforts,” he said.
The Trump administration’s executive orders aim to promote American drone exports by reforming the regulatory framework and providing financial incentives to domestic manufacturers. However, significant challenges remain in determining which technologies are safe for export and addressing the complex supply chain issues that affect many drone manufacturers.
To overcome these challenges, the U.S. government must carefully consider the security implications of drone exports while also supporting American innovation and competitiveness. By reforming the regulatory framework and providing incentives for domestic production, the Trump administration’s executive orders take a step towards promoting American drone exports and advancing the country’s position in the global market.
The success of these efforts will depend on the government’s ability to strike a balance between security concerns and economic interests. This requires careful consideration of the complex issues involved in regulating drone exports and the development of effective policies that support American innovation while protecting national security.
In conclusion, the Trump administration’s executive orders on drones represent an important step forward for promoting American drone exports and scaling up domestic production. However, much work remains to be done to complete the process and ensure that American drone manufacturers can compete effectively in the global market.