Regaining control over national airspace jurisdiction in the United States
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The United States has taken a significant step towards safeguarding its airspace with the issuance of the "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty" Executive Order (EO 14305) on June 6, 2025. This order establishes a Federal Task Force to address the growing threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
The Federal Task Force, chaired by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, is tasked with reviewing and recommending improvements for UAS threats. The path forward requires federal leadership and a commitment to empowering partners at every level of government and accelerating the adoption of safe, effective, non-disruptive counter-UAS solutions.
One of the key challenges identified is the lack of a flexible regulatory framework. The U.S. is missing a list of "safe" tested and evaluated equipment, as well as FAA performance standards. To address this, the FAA is instructed to expedite new rules restricting drone flights over critical infrastructure.
The EO marks a critical step towards a more secure and resilient national airspace for federal agencies. Federal employees will play a vital role in developing, implementing, and enforcing new standards and policies. Agencies are also directed to fully leverage their existing authorities to detect, track, and identify drones in sensitive airspace.
The EO emphasizes coordination between federal, state, and local agencies to enhance airspace situational awareness and counter-UAS capabilities. This includes protection of mass gathering events and critical infrastructure. The Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security are tasked with assessing how counter-UAS operations can be integrated into joint terrorism task forces.
The EO's success depends on effective collaboration, innovation, and the rapid adoption of advanced, non-disruptive technologies. Brett Feddersen, the vice president of strategy and government affairs at D-Fend Solutions, a counter-drone manufacturer in RF-cyber solutions, underscores this point.
Legislative efforts are underway to codify this EO into law. The "Protecting America’s Airspace from Unauthorized Drone Activity Act," introduced by Rep. Brad Finstad, mirrors the EO’s provisions and aims to sustain and formalize federal authority, regulatory frameworks, and enforcement related to counter-UAS operations across government layers.
Incidents involving drones tailing law enforcement, dropping contraband into prisons, or surveilling sensitive sites are becoming more common. A persistent issue is the lack of federal resources, including counter-UAS personnel, federal funding, and equipment. The EO aims to address these challenges and strengthen the nation's security and critical infrastructure protection efforts.
[1] White House. (2025). Executive Order on Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/executive-actions/executive-order-restoring-american-airspace-sovereignty/
[2] Federal Aviation Administration. (2025). FAA to Develop and Finalize Regulations Restricting Drone Flights Over Critical Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=234169
[3] United States Government Accountability Office. (2025). Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Federal Agencies Need to Address Challenges in Developing and Implementing a Comprehensive Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-25-104687
[4] Security Industry Association. (2025). SIA Drone Security Subcommittee Announces New Leadership. Retrieved from https://www.securityindustry.org/media-center/news/sia-drone-security-subcommittee-announces-new-leadership/
[5] The White House. (2025). Executive Order on Unleashing American Drone Dominance. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/executive-actions/executive-order-unleashing-american-drone-dominance/
