White House targets rogue drones, backs flying cars in new aviation push

President Donald Trump has unveiled a set of executive orders aimed at both enhancing the nation’s ability to combat drone-related security threats and accelerating the development of next-generation aviation technologies, including flying cars and supersonic travel.

The three orders, issued on June 6, direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fast-track regulations that would allow companies to operate drones beyond visual line of sight. At the same time, they impose new restrictions designed to guard against terrorism, espionage, and threats to public safety, Caliber.Az reports, citing US media.

The White House emphasised that while drones already serve numerous beneficial functions — from aiding search and rescue operations to fertilising crops, inspecting infrastructure, and delivering packages — their misuse presents growing concerns.

The war in Ukraine has spotlighted the potential for drones to be used in military operations or terrorist attacks. Officials also noted that drones have been employed in espionage operations to surveil sensitive locations, used by smugglers to transport drugs across the border, and pose risks of mid-air collisions near airports.

“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.

With the U.S. preparing to host high-profile global events such as the World Cup and the Olympics, the administration is taking preemptive steps to safeguard crowded public spaces from aerial threats. Sebastian Gorka, Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council, stressed the importance of protecting airspace above such events.

“Drones are a disruptive technology. They have an amazing potential for both good and ill,” Gorka said. “We will increase the enforcement of current laws to deter two types of individuals: evildoers and idiots — the clueless and the careless.”

As part of the new policy package, the FAA is instructed to accelerate the release of a rule banning drone flights over sensitive sites. The agency will also coordinate with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to improve enforcement of existing laws related to unauthorised drone use.

To address security risks, the FAA has been testing drone detection and countermeasure systems, which the administration wants to scale up. Techniques under review include jamming drone signals, forcing them to land, and disabling them using high-powered microwaves or laser systems.

The executive orders also authorise the training of state and local authorities to detect and respond to unauthorised drone activity. The NFL welcomed this provision, pointing out that only local and state law enforcement, not federal agents, are responsible for safeguarding airspace at most games, and that drone incursions during events are on the rise.

Additionally, law enforcement agencies may receive further training on how to deploy drones effectively themselves, particularly to enhance security around large-scale public gatherings.

While much of the focus is on strengthening defence and enforcement, the executive orders also signal the administration’s intent to foster innovation in aviation. In particular, the Trump administration hopes to remove regulatory barriers that could help usher in a new era of supersonic aircraft and flying cars, promoting both technological advancement and American leadership in aerospace.

By Tamilla Hasanova