In December 2025, the Department of Transportation unveiled the nation’s first AAM National Strategy, which sets an ambitious roadmap to accelerate American aviation innovation and transform our skies for the better.

The Strategy and accompanying Comprehensive Plan outline 40 recommendations to safely and efficiently support AAM operations.

The Strategy is organized around six key pillars essential to building a strong AAM system.  

The Plan is designed to implement the Strategy recommendations to support the safe, secure, and coordinated introduction of AAM. The Plan gives high-level implementation action items across four distinct strategic action phases, referred to as LIFT. These phases will advance research, stakeholder engagement, policy development, and technical deployment.

1. Leverage Existing Programs to Support Innovation and Begin Operations  
2. Initiate Engagement with Partners, Research and Development, and Smart Planning  
3. Forge New Policy and Models Responsive to Public Needs  
4. Transform the Aviation Ecosystem  

The Strategy envisions specific near- and mid-term milestones:

By 2027: Demonstrations and initial operations

By 2030: New air operations in multiple urban and rural areas with quiet powered lift aircraft and short-takeoff-and-landing flights that will increase travel options and reduce noise impacts

By 2035: Advanced operations with fully autonomous flight capabilities

Read more at: Unleashing American Drone Dominance Executive Order