Hogan Lovells Client Commercial Drone Alliance Plays Leading Role on Executive Orders Advancing US Drone Policy

“These Executive Orders are a long-overdue step toward modernizing U.S. drone policy,” said Lisa Ellman, Hogan Lovells partner and CEO of the Commercial Drone Alliance. “They lay the groundwork for scaling safe, secure drone operations while enhancing airspace transparency. We’re ready to help move these priorities forward.”

The Executive Orders reflect many of the CDA’s longstanding priorities, including the advancement of beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, streamlining of approval processes, and enhancement of airspace transparency.  Hogan Lovells supported CDA’s engagement with federal stakeholders, helping to shape policy recommendations that balance the need for operational flexibility with appropriate oversight mechanisms.

 “These Executive Orders reflect years of work to align drone policy with real-world operations,” said Liz Forro, Hogan Lovells Policy Advisor and Policy Director at the CDA. “Clarifying BVLOS rules and streamlining approvals are essential steps toward unlocking the full potential of commercial drones across industries.”

 Key provisions of the Executive Orders include:

• Advance the long-delayed beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) rulemaking, a deregulatory action which will level the competitive playing field for domestic drone manufacturers and operators while increasing the safety and transparency of the airspace;
• Right-size operational approval processes while rule changes are in progress to facilitate the immediate safe scaling of beneficial commercial drone operations;
• Ensure drones can operate over the high seas where the United States has jurisdiction; and
• Streamline approvals related to environmental reviews and carriage of household goods for package delivery operations.

In addition to promoting innovation, the Executive Orders also address critical security and enforcement issues. They include directives to:

• Advance the long-delayed rulemaking to prohibit rogue drones over certain sensitive fixed sites and critical infrastructure;
• Provide training to law enforcement on the use of counter-drone technology;
• Promote the use of technology to detect, track and identify drones in real-time; and
• Implement measures to protect stadiums and mass gathering events from rogue drones.

Hogan Lovells provided strategic legal and policy counsel to the CDA throughout this process, helping to translate industry needs into actionable regulatory proposals. The firm continues to support the CDA as it works with federal agencies to implement the Executive Orders and ensure that the U.S. drone industry can operate safely, securely, and at scale.