President of the United States Donald J. Trump has signed four new executive orders that lay the groundwork for major developments in aviation and cybersecurity. The relaunch of supersonic flights, new drone regulations aimed at boosting competition with China, and steps to strengthen the country’s cyber defence capacity were announced at a ceremony held at the White House.
The orders signed by Trump include lifting certain restrictions on supersonic flights that have been in place since 1973 and accelerating the testing processes of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be required to expedite exemption reviews powered by artificial intelligence, enabling operators to use drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) for public safety and commercial purposes.
These measures also grant broader intervention powers against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) posing threats to local law enforcement, aiming to gain a technological edge over China.
Two separate executive orders in the field of cybersecurity update some of the policies implemented under previous administrations (Obama and Biden), with the goal of establishing a more effective and comprehensive digital defence mechanism against foreign-origin threats.
Another executive order, aimed at reinforcing U.S. airspace sovereignty, paves the way for the effective use of drones in the fight against drug cartels. This is expected to significantly enhance efforts to combat illegal crossings and surveillance activities targeting the United States.
