The Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) has urged the US government to adopt vital reforms needed to bolster the drone industry.
“Recent Administration actions send a clear signal about the importance of securing the domestic drone ecosystem, which has the potential for major benefits for all Americans, from safer and more efficient bridge and power station inspections, early wildfire detection and crop health monitoring, to last-mile delivery for medicine and retail goods,” the CDA said. “The next critical step is to ensure the industry has the resources and certainty required to scale in this new regulatory environment. Achieving a fully domestic ecosystem that ensures American innovation and manufacturing dominance will require sustained engagement, investment and coordination across the federal government and industry over the next decade.”
In a new white paper, the CDA highlighted six policy priorities: Enhancing whole of government accountability, strengthening the domestic drone demand signal, providing financing options for domestic production, improving business and investment certainty, reducing regulatory barriers for domestic manufacturers, and ensuring physical infrastructure, technology development and workforce needs keep pace.
Among other capital expenditure measures, the CDA is calling for a percentage of existing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) grant programmes for public safety to be allocated to supporting drone use. In addition, the alliance recommends that a new Drone as First Responder (DFR) grant programme is established for state and local public safety agencies.
“While recent policy actions have reinforced the importance of a domestic drone ecosystem, operators and manufacturers continue to face real constraints and risk quickly losing ground to foreign competitors,” said Liz Forro, Policy Director, CDA. “Operators are navigating a complex and evolving regulatory environment, while manufacturers face ongoing supply chain challenges.”
“This is a pivotal moment. With the right policy framework, the Administration’s recent action banning all foreign drones and components can serve as a powerful catalyst for U.S. commercial drone dominance,” said Lisa Ellman, CEO of the CDA. “Now is the time to invest in a strong, resilient domestic drone industry that will shape our nation’s technological future. The CDA stands ready to work with Congress, the White House, and the broader executive branch to make U.S. drone dominance a reality.”
For more information
CDA policy recommendations white paper
Image: US Federal Aviation Administration