U.S. aims to become global leader of AAM operations

The United States has set its sights on becoming a global leader of advanced air mobility after releasing its national strategy for incorporating the new technology into commercial airspace. “The Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Strategy is not only a definitive turning point for the industry, but it also gives clarity to what Congress needs to authorize funding that will transform advanced aviation from a vague concept into a critical national infrastructure priority,” Elroy Air Chief Executive Andrew Clare told Cargo Facts . [caption id="attachment_57293851" align="aligncenter" width="1182"] The Chaparral recently completed its first point-to-point cargo delivery. (Courtesy/Elroy Air)[/caption] The strategy is based on forty recommendations to safely and efficiently support AAM operations, according to a Dec. 17 DOT release. “By providing a whole-of-government framework and forty concrete recommendations across pillars like airspace and infrastructure, the strategy moves us from theoretical pilots to a unified deployment roadmap.” — Andrew Clare, CEO at Elroy Air America has been at the forefront of aviation innovation since its inception, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said during a Dec. 17 news conference. “Advanced air mobility vehicles will benefit the American people — transforming how the flying public travels, how first responders jump into action and how communities access health care, how businesses deliver goods and how we defend our nation,” Duffy said. Ten-year goals The DOT aims to achieve three AAM milestones over the next ten years, according to the strategy: By 2027, begin airport infrastructure modifications, launch initial demonstrations and operations, use U.S.-based suppliers while supporting automation technology companies with highly efficient avionics, advanced carbon component manufacturers and telecommunications providers. By 2030, minimize noise pollution in urban and rural areas using AAM vehicles and newly accessible vertiport infrastructures, and take advantage of air traffic modernization to establish efficient, low-altitude traffic management for AAM and uncrewed aircraft. By 2035, enhance AAM operations to include fully autonomous flight in regions with insufficient labor or harsh conditions that might otherwise limit flight activity. The federal government has tasked twenty-five agencies, including the FAA, DOT, NASA and the FCC, with integrating AAM vehicles and technology into commercial airspace. For middle-mile logistics companies such as Elroy Air, the government’s message is now clear: They are no longer watching from the sidelines, Clare said. “The integration of twenty-five federal agencies, including the FAA and DOT, ensures that the manpower and resources being deployed are no longer siloed, but synchronized to support the high-tempo operations we’re building toward,” he said. Elroy Air recently flew its first point-to-point delivery using its Chaparral drone, the company announced Dec. 18. Air traffic control getting facelift The groundwork for modernizing air traffic control systems to support existing aircraft and AAM vehicles was laid when President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4, allocating $12.5 billion to the DOT and FAA to start a nationwide overhaul. Duffy has estimated another $20 billion will be needed. Reston, Va.-based Peraton this month was selected to coordinate the project . The air traffic control overhaul, which includes AAM integration into commercial air space, won’t use the entire $32.5 billion, Clare said, but “it provides the blueprint for how that money should be spent on modern digital-first systems like fiber optic networks and automated traffic management.” Cargo Facts LATAM 2026, the essential event for stakeholders in Latin America, will take place Feb. 10-12 at the Marquis Reforma in Mexico City. Learn more and register by Dec. 26 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. Cargo Facts Asia 2026, the indispensable event for Asia-Pacific stakeholders, will take place March 23-25 at the W Shanghai. Learn more and register by Feb. 6 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. The inaugural Cargo Facts Routes and Airport Conference will take place April 27-28 at the Marriott Al Forsan Abu Dhabi. Learn more and register by March 13 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. Cargo Facts EMEA 2026, the key industry event for stakeholders in the EMEA region, will take place April 28-30 at the Marriott Al Forsan Abu Dhabi. Learn more and register by March 13 to take advantage of early-bird pricing.

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