AUVSI’s Initiatives Aim to Boost U.S. Drone Industry and Level Global Playing Field
This week, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) took a major step toward strengthening the U.S. drone industry with the launch of the Partnership for Drone Competitiveness (Partnership) and the discharge of an accompanying whitepaper. A Capitol Hill press conference took place, featuring key figures from AUVSI, American drone manufacturers, and bipartisan support from U.S. lawmakers.
AUVSI’s Partnership for Drone Competitiveness: Unveiling Strategies to Boost the U.S. Drone Industry
The Partnership, a coalition comprising AUVSI and US drone manufacturers goals to fortify the U.S. drone industry. Its core objectives include supporting a sturdy domestic drone industry, ensuring greater security for patrons, establishing American leadership in advanced aviation, and leveling the playing field against foreign subsidized competition.
Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) emphasized the need of dominating the unmanned aircraft assistance marketplace for national security and the well-being of American staff. Representative Dina Titus (D-NV-1) echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of incentivizing the domestic industry for efficiency and safety.
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) expressed support for the Partnership, acknowledging the necessity to deal with the growing use of drones and unmanned systems. He stressed the importance of producing these systems domestically to make sure safety and security. Michael Robbins, Chief Advocacy Officer at AUVSI, commended the support from lawmakers, acknowledging the numerous step taken towards securing the domestic drone industry:
After we launched the Partnership for Drone Competitiveness in September, we understood that a robust domestic industry represents a strategic imperative in the brand new era of strategic competition. We’re grateful to have the support of Senators Budd and Warner and Representative Titus, in addition to many other members of Congress, championing this issue on Capitol Hill. This week’s press conference demonstrates one other significant step toward a robust and secure domestic drone industry to level the playing field against unfair trade practices by China. We look ahead to working with Congress more to fulfill the growing demand from industry and government.
The press conference included discussions with lawmakers including Senators Tester (D-MT), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), covering legislative efforts: including the American Security Drone Act, the STOP Illicit Drones Act, and the Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act. The discussions also touched on recent initiatives, including enhanced drone tariffs against China, grant programs, the Department of Defense’s Replicator program, and provide chain constraints.
AUVSI Whitepaper Unveils Strategies to Strengthen U.S. Drone Industry
Along with the press conference, AUVSI has released a whitepaper addressing the challenges faced by the U.S. drone industry within the wake of foreign-subsidized competition, particularly from state-sponsored Chinese corporations. The paper underscores the urgent need for motion to make sure the competitiveness, security, and innovation of the U.S. drone manufacturing sector. The paper is freely available and price reading in its entirety: in very transient summary, the whitepaper outlines the important thing challenges facing the US drone industry and descriptions specific remedies that lawmakers may employ to fulfill them. Among the many proposals:
“Programs focused on U.S.-made drone acquisition incentives, specifically grants, would signal to investors the market opportunity for U.S. drones, stimulating investment into U.S. drone and component manufacturing.”
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- A brand new program is recommended to help public safety agencies in transitioning from Chinese drones to U.S.-made solutions.
- Congress is urged to boost existing federal grant programs for first responders, ensuring funds usually are not used to buy Chinese-made drones.
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- A proposed laws making a $100 million grant program for local, state, and tribal governments to utilize U.S.-made drones for critical infrastructure inspection.
- The DIIG Act includes funding for workforce development programs, fostering the expansion of a talented workforce.
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- AUVSI supports the Department of Defense’s Replicator initiative, emphasizing the necessity for rapid and scalable production of autonomous systems.
- The Office of Strategic Capital is advisable to prioritize drones and drone components as critical technology, overcoming capital access challenges.
- Urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to streamline approval processes and minimize bureaucratic barriers to drone operational integration.
- Congress known as upon to offer additional tools, authorities, and resources to the FAA for successful integration efforts.
- AUVSI’s Trusted Cyber Program Working Group proposes the applying of the Green UAS compliance program to evaluate and confirm business drones for top levels of cybersecurity.
- Congress is inspired to proceed funding the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS program for connected drones.
- Advocating for rational, tailored country-of-origin restrictions, ensuring alignment with national security and human rights concerns.
- “Include affirmative measures supporting a timely transition, with grants or incentives to finish users to foster a competitive and fair playing field for domestic manufacturers.”
AUVSI’s comprehensive approach, as outlined within the whitepaper, seeks to deal with the multi-faceted challenges faced by the U.S. drone industry. By advocating for specific policies and initiatives, AUVSI goals to secure the industry’s future, foster innovation, and promote fair competition on the worldwide stage.
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