The Biden Administration’s June 2025 Executive Order on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), titled Unleashing American Drone Dominance, marks a strategic turning point in U.S. drone policy. Issued through the Federal Register, this sweeping directive is aimed at revitalizing domestic drone manufacturing, strengthening federal supply chains, and eliminating reliance on non-compliant foreign platforms—particularly those tied to adversarial nations like China.
For federal contractors and procurement officers, this order is more than policy—it’s a clear market signal. The federal government is actively reshaping its drone acquisition strategy to prioritize platforms built by American or allied manufacturers that meet strict security, interoperability, and compliance benchmarks. This has direct implications for defense integrators, first responders, agriculture agencies, and anyone leveraging drones in federally funded operations.
Key Provisions of the Executive Order
The order empowers the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Justice to further restrict procurement of drones containing components from “covered foreign entities.” The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) already restricts these purchases, but this EO enhances enforcement and expands its scope across more civilian agencies. Additionally, it mandates accelerated development of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight operations and testing zones, which will unlock new mission capabilities for UAS across public safety, agriculture, and critical infrastructure.
Importantly, the EO directs GSA and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council to issue new acquisition guidance favoring compliant drone suppliers. Contractors looking to position themselves for success must ensure their supply chains are NDAA-compliant and that their platforms—or those they resell—are manufactured by approved OEMs.
Strategic Implications for Procurement
For firms like JMJ Propulsion Labs, the Executive Order presents a clear opportunity to leverage pre-vetted drone platforms that already meet Buy America, NDAA, and cybersecurity standards. By acting as a value-added integrator and reseller of these solutions, JMJ can rapidly support the mission objectives of federal agencies without the delays and risk associated with non-compliant technologies.
Agencies seeking drones for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), terrain mapping, disaster response, and smart agriculture will now prioritize vendors that can deliver fully compliant systems with minimal integration overhead. This means technical documentation, cyber-secure telemetry, and full transparency of parts sourcing will become procurement prerequisites.
Compliance and Supply Chain Readiness
Contractors must now take proactive steps to audit their UAS inventories and validate their sources of components, software, and data management systems. Failure to do so could result in bid disqualification, termination of existing contracts, or FAR compliance investigations. Conversely, companies that demonstrate early alignment with these standards may benefit from sole-source or set-aside awards under SBA 8(a), HUBZone, or DBE programs.
JMJ Propulsion Labs already partners with U.S. drone manufacturers and compliance consultants to ensure that every platform offered meets or exceeds the new federal requirements. These systems are ready for rapid deployment and come bundled with technical training, geospatial integration support, and procurement guidance.
Preparing for the Future of Federal UAS
The Executive Order signals a long-term investment in drone infrastructure that extends beyond federal missions. It will catalyze innovation in domestic UAS manufacturing, enhance national security, and ultimately transform how drones are integrated into emergency response, transportation, and public utilities. For JMJ and its partners, the moment to align with this vision is now.
As procurement frameworks shift, agencies will increasingly seek partners who bring not only technology—but trust, transparency, and readiness. At JMJ Propulsion Labs, we stand committed to equipping our federal clients with best-in-class drone solutions that are compliant, mission-ready, and future-proof.
Source: Federal Register – Unleashing American Drone Dominance
