U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has released the nation’s first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Strategy, outlining a federal framework to guide the development and integration of emerging aviation technologies into U.S. airspace.
The strategy and accompanying action plan include 40 recommendations intended to support the safe and efficient introduction of AAM operations. According to the department, the framework is designed to promote coordination across government, industry, and other stakeholders as the United States develops policies for next-generation aviation.
What is AAM?
AAM is a rapidly-emerging aerospace sector focused on safely and efficiently integrating highly automated aircraft into U.S. airspace. AAM is not a single technology but rather a range of innovations—particularly new aircraft types that typically operate below 5,000 feet—to transport people and packages more efficiently than ever before. Beyond aircraft, AAM requires a modern support system, including a skilled workforce, upgraded infrastructure, and clear regulatory frameworks.
Together, AAM has the potential to reshape how Americans live, work, and connect by enhancing rural and urban transportation, strengthening cargo operations, and advancing both medical and military transportation. By integrating automation, AAM should improve safety and efficiency and inspire the next generation of aviators.
Overview:
The Strategy is organized around six key pillars (Airspace, Infrastructure, Security, Community Planning and Engagement, Workforce, and Automation) essential to building a strong AAM system. The Strategy sets forth 40 recommendations designed to establish a resilient foundation for national policy.
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.
- Leverage Existing Programs to Support Innovation and Begin Operations
- Initiate Engagement with Partners, Research and Development, and Smart Planning
- Forge New Policy and Models Responsive to Public Needs
- Transform the Aviation Ecosystem
Today’s U.S. aviation industry and its workforce, from large manufacturing and commercial operations to robust general aviation, support $1.8 trillion in total economic activity and contribute 4 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. The future of aviation will include AAM that can provide new levels of mobility, connectivity, and convenience for the transportation of people and cargo.
In June, President Trump issued the Executive Order “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” to enhance United States productivity, create high-skilled jobs, and reshape the future of aviation.
In 2022, Congress passed the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act, recognizing the need for a whole-of-government approach to advance the Advanced Air Mobility ecosystem in the United States. This Act directed the Department to establish an Interagency Working Group to coordinate federal efforts related to AAM adoption and deployment and to develop both an AAM National Strategy and a Comprehensive Plan.
The original announcement can be found here.