On June 6, 2025, the White House issued a sweeping Executive Order to “Unleash American Drone Dominance”—a landmark policy designed to catalyze domestic drone innovation, manufacturing, and deployment across sectors. For the Monterey Bay Drone, Automation, and Robotics Technology (DART) Initiative, from a non-partisan perspective, this move marks both a validation of our mission and a strategic inflection point.

Workforce Development The Executive Order directs federal agencies to accelerate training programs and workforce development initiatives tailored to support the domestic drone industrial base. This aligns directly with DART’s work in developing aviation maintenance apprenticeships, UAS certification programs, and accessible pathways into aerospace careers. The EO’s emphasis on “Buy American” drone procurement will drive demand for skilled labor, creating unprecedented opportunities for regional talent development—especially for underserved populations along the Central Coast and throughout California.

Infrastructure Readiness The policy prioritizes enhanced infrastructure investments, including support for drone test sites, resilient communications systems, and airspace management capabilities. These federal priorities mirror DART’s infrastructure roadmap, which connects regional airports, industrial corridors, and educational institutions to position the Central Coast as a proving ground for next-generation uncrewed systems.

Ecosystem Activation The Executive Order highlights the importance of public-private partnerships, standardized architectures, and regional innovation clusters. DART’s ongoing convening work—such as the annual LIFT Summit and quarterly working groups—is built to activate these very mechanisms. With federal agencies now directed to collaborate with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners, DART is well-positioned to contribute leadership for California’s drone and advanced air mobility ecosystems into this new era of coordinated national expansion.

In short, the Executive Order is not just about drones—it’s about shaping the infrastructure, institutions, and industries that will define our tech-driven future. DART stands ready to help turn this moment into lasting momentum for our State and the nation.

Five Strategic Actions DART and Its Partners Can Take Now

To fully leverage the momentum of the Executive Order, DART recommends the following coordinated actions across its ecosystem:

1. Establish a Drone Policy Task Force: Convene public, private, tribal, and academic stakeholders to track federal actions, inform regional policy alignment, and coordinate response strategies.
2. Accelerate Workforce Pipeline Development: Expand aviation and robotics training programs in community colleges and technical schools, with a focus on certifications aligned with federal drone procurement standards.
3. Secure Federal Infrastructure Investment: Develop a unified proposal for federal support of drone corridors, test sites, and digital infrastructure (e.g., BVLOS systems and UTM integration) across the Central Coast.
4. Launch a Public Procurement Readiness Program: Support regional drone manufacturers and service providers in meeting federal “Buy American” criteria through technical assistance, compliance training, and matchmaking.
5. Scale Convening Platforms to Drive Ecosystem Integration: Grow the reach and impact of the LIFT Summit and Working Groups to serve as key interfaces with federal agencies, industry primes, and peer regions.