The Trump administration has recently issued an executive order titled “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” which aims to enhance the use of unmanned aircraft within civilian sectors while potentially impacting military operations as well.
President Donald Trump emphasized the necessity for the Department of Defense (DOD) to procure, integrate, and train with low-cost, high-performing drones produced in the United States.
This directive arrives amid increasing recognition of autonomous systems’ transformative impact on modern warfare.
Despite considerable investment in this area, the U.S. military faces significant hurdles in adopting and deploying affordable drones across various branches.
DefenseScoop engaged former defense officials and national security analysts to gain insights into the implications of the executive order.
Lauren Kahn, a senior research analyst at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, noted that the executive order is directionally beneficial, promoting accelerated adoption of commercial unmanned aerial systems and reducing barriers for testing and training.
David Rothzeid, a venture investor at Shield Capital, noted that he views the order as a supportive measure for national security and the U.S. innovation ecosystem.
He highlighted that this executive order sends a strong demand signal to American entrepreneurs, potentially accelerating market development in drone technology.
However, Rothzeid cautioned that the order’s ultimate effectiveness will rely on its execution.
As a former procurement official, Rothzeid stressed the importance of avoiding previous mistakes that allowed adversaries to gain technological advantages due to slow adoption and over-classification within the Pentagon.
He cited the example of Chinese-made DJI drones, which have significantly penetrated both consumer and defense sectors, illustrating the importance of nurturing domestic alternatives before losing market share to foreign entities.
Moreover, the order includes a key directive for military leadership to identify existing programs that could be more cost-effective or lethal if replaced by drone systems.
This report is due to the President within 90 days of the executive order’s issuance.
Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, mentioned that this directive was somewhat redundant, as the DOD has been assessing such programs during its budget and strategy reviews.
He pointed to significant changes, noting the Army’s decision to terminate its Apache attack helicopter replacement program, which was likely influenced by a transition to drone usage.
Cancian also highlighted increased funding for the Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft initiative, designed to develop drones that accompany manned aircraft, along with the endorsement of the Replicator program, aimed at advancing drone swarms.
Kahn expressed concern that the provision requesting recommendations on potential drone replacements could become a mere checkbox exercise if military services nominate programs they had already intended to phase out.
However, she noted that if used effectively, this could stimulate efforts to adopt more affordable and attritable drones, enhancing a military force that has been over-investing in costly and vulnerable legacy systems.
Recent military operations in Ukraine and Israel have demonstrated the effectiveness of low-cost unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in imposing asymmetric costs and achieving rapid scaling compared to traditional platforms.
Kahn argued for a balanced approach, suggesting that attritable drones should complement advanced capabilities but not entirely replace them.
Despite the title “Delivering Drones to Our Warfighters,” Kahn mentioned that Section 9 of the order focuses more on airspace issues and training rather than addressing deeper challenges the DOD faces in acquiring and sustaining UAS and other emergent technologies.
She also pointed out that unmanned surface vehicles and underwater systems were not mentioned, indicating a gap in the order.
One positive element of the order is the initiative allowing all systems listed under the Blue UAS program to operate on military installations without needing policy exceptions.
Managed by the DOD’s Defense Innovation Unit, the Blue UAS initiative helps expedite the identification and approval of secure commercial drones for government use.
Kahn emphasized that this aspect could have significant operational benefits by facilitating quicker experimentation and deployment.
However, she also noted that the order predominantly addresses known secondary challenges while neglecting more profound structural barriers impeding large-scale UAS adoption.
Tom Adams, Director of Public Safety at DroneShield, remarked that while the executive order represents a positive step, gaps regarding authorities for public safety and critical infrastructure need addressing through formal legislation.
He expressed anticipation for Congress to tackle these crucial issues affecting national security.
Rothzeid reiterated the importance of the Blue UAS provision, urging for its expansion and prompt updates as new industry capabilities emerge.
He argued that while security and compliance are vital, greater flexibility in allowing new vendors could accelerate innovation and improve the efficiency of DOD procurement.
Beyond the executive order, Rothzeid proposed additional measures to enhance the military’s ability to field combat-ready drone systems swiftly.
These include improving access to testing ranges for companies developing drones that can withstand electromagnetic interference, which is crucial given the recent failures of several U.S. systems sent to Ukraine due to inadequate battlefield resilience.
Lastly, Rothzeid emphasized the need for budget allocations that align with the demands established by the executive order to ensure effective implementation.
He warned that without official procurement pathways and proper funding, the directive would fall short in achieving its objectives.
In summary, while the executive order sets a framework for bolstering American drone capabilities, its success will depend on effective execution, funding, and a proactive approach to integrating new technologies within the DOD.
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