President Trump's Executive Order Highlights the Strategic Importance of VTOL Sector

Rhea-AI Summary

XTI Aerospace (NASDAQ: XTIA) responds to President Trump's Executive Order aimed at boosting domestic drone production and advanced air mobility. The order establishes an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, accelerates FAA rulemaking, and streamlines regulations for VTOL aircraft development. XTI's TriFan 600, a VTOL aircraft with 1,000-mile range and 300+ mph speed capability, is positioned to serve military, commercial, and public sector needs. The Executive Order includes key benefits: mandated BVLOS rules within 30 days, reduced regulatory barriers, access to federal test ranges, preference for U.S.-made aircraft in federal procurement, and promotion of U.S. VTOL technology exports. The company plans to pursue admission into the pilot program, viewing the order as validation of VTOL's importance in future air mobility.

Positive

• Executive Order establishes formal eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, potentially accelerating XTI's market entry
• Mandated FAA rulemaking within 30-240 days could speed up certification process
• Federal preference for U.S.-made aircraft opens defense and civilian contract opportunities
• Access to federal test ranges reduces development costs and time-to-market
• TriFan 600's 1,000-mile range and 300+ mph speed positions it well for multiple market applications

Negative

• No guarantee of XTI's admission into the pilot program
• Regulatory changes and program implementation timelines remain uncertain
• Competition likely to increase as other U.S. manufacturers enter the market

Insights

Aerospace Policy Analyst

Trump's Executive Order creates substantial commercial and regulatory advantages for XTI's VTOL technology in government procurement and certification processes.

This Executive Order represents a significant policy shift that could materially benefit XTI Aerospace's market position. The directive establishes a formal eVTOL Integration Pilot Program across at least five projects, which XTI explicitly states they will "vigorously pursue." More importantly, the order contains multiple provisions that address critical industry bottlenecks: accelerated FAA rulemaking for beyond visual line of sight operations (within 240 days), streamlined regulatory approvals, and expanded access to federal test infrastructure.

The procurement preference for U.S.-built platforms particularly strengthens XTI's competitive positioning against foreign manufacturers. Their TriFan 600, with 1,000-mile range and 300+ mph speeds, addresses capabilities beyond typical urban air mobility applications that align with the order's scope for "military, cargo logistics, and emergency preparedness."

Most consequential is the language allowing expansion of the pilot program to "other advanced aviation aircraft" – XTI correctly identifies this as creating regulatory space for their xVTOL platform. This provides them potential advantages in both defense contracting and civilian commercialization. The dual-use positioning (commercial and military applications) opens multiple revenue pathways, particularly valuable given the order's emphasis on promoting exports of American VTOL technology through diplomatic channels.

XTI Aerospace expects Trump Executive Order to accelerate VTOL development for commercial and military applications

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Commending President Trump's recent Executive Order aimed at accelerating domestic drone production and strengthening U.S. leadership in advanced air mobility, XTI Aerospace (NASDAQ: XTIA) is issuing the following statement reinforcing the critical role of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) technology to meet national security priorities and a rapidly evolving commercial market.

"The Executive Order recognizes what many of us in the aerospace industry see clearly every day: the future of air mobility — both civilian and defense — depends on agility and vertical, runway-independent capability," said Scott Pomeroy, Chairman and CEO of XTI Aerospace. "VTOL aircraft are not only central to next-generation UAS (drone) platforms and urban air mobility applications but also air medical, disaster response, military, cargo logistics, and emergency preparedness."

XTI Aerospace, developer of the TriFan 600 — a VTOL airplane capable of a range of nearly 1,000 miles at speeds over 300 mph — is uniquely positioned to serve a diverse range of emerging military, commercial, private, and strategic public-sector mission-specific and purpose-driven initiatives. The TriFan 600 is designed to operate using existing infrastructure and without dependence on charging systems, a key differentiator and accelerator to market.

XTI Aerospace is a leader in xVTOL and the Vertical Economy and is pursuing strategic initiatives across manned and unmanned aerial systems (UAS / drone) that build off, and or complement, its flagship TriFan platform.

Notably, the Executive Order directs the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), to expand the pilot program to other advanced aviation aircraft as warranted. XTI Aerospace believes this language reflects the federal government's intent to create space for xVTOL platforms like the TriFan 600.

The Executive Order is expected to deliver several benefits to VTOL aircraft innovators like XTI including the following:

• Establishes Formal eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP): Mandates the creation of a dedicated program to accelerate real-world testing and deployment of VTOL aircraft across at least five selected pilot projects. XTI intends to vigorously pursue admission into this program.
  
  
• Accelerates Rulemaking: Mandates the FAA issue proposed BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) rules within 30 days and finalize them within 240—potentially accelerating autonomous and long-range UAS commercialization.
  
  
• Streamlines Regulatory Barriers: Directs agencies to reduce redundant approvals and coordinate across FAA, OSTP, and DoD, speeding VTOL certification and operational clearances.
  
  
• Expands Vendor Access to Test Ranges: Opens federal test ranges and infrastructure to qualified U.S. VTOL developers, reducing cost and time to trial advanced systems.
  
  
• Prioritizes U.S.-Made Aircraft in Procurement: Directs federal agencies to prefer U.S.-built aerial mobility platforms—supporting domestic manufacturers in both defense and civilian contracts.
  
  
• Promotes Export of American VTOL Technology: Encourages diplomatic and trade efforts to promote U.S.-developed VTOL systems in global markets, boosting commercial opportunities abroad.
  
  
• Supports Dual-Use (Commercial & Military) Platforms: Positions VTOL aircraft as tools for national security, emergency response, and logistics, opening access to both defense and public-sector procurement channels.

"The ability to expand this pilot program beyond drones and short-range eVTOLs to encompass broader VTOL missions signals a shift in U.S. aerospace policy — one that shares our view at XTI that innovation must be operationally feasible and commercially viable," Mr. Pomeroy added.

About XTI Aerospace, Inc. 

XTI Aerospace (XTIAerospace.com) (Nasdaq: XTIA) is the parent company of XTI Aircraft Company, an aviation business based near Denver, Colorado, currently developing the TriFan 600, a fixed-wing business aircraft designed to have the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability of a helicopter, maximum cruising speeds of 311 mph and a range of 985 miles, creating an entirely new category – the xVTOL. Additionally, the Inpixon (inpixon.com) business unit of XTI Aerospace is a leader in real-time location systems (RTLS) technology with customers around the world who use the company's location intelligence solutions in factories and other industrial facilities to help optimize operations, increase productivity, and enhance safety. For more information about XTI, please visit XTIAerospace.com and follow XTI on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, statements about the products under development by XTI, the advantages of XTI's technology, and XTI's customers, plans and strategies are forward-looking statements.

Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including "believe," "continue," "could," "would," "will," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "target," "projects," or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts, and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by XTI Aerospace and its management, are inherently uncertain, and many factors may cause the actual results to differ materially from current expectations. XTI undertakes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that might subsequently arise. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the risk factors discussed from time to time in XTI's filings with the SEC, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in its most recent annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2025, and in subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC.

Contacts

General inquiries:
Email: contact@xtiaerospace.com 
Web: https://xtiaerospace.com/contact/ 

Investor Relations:
Dave Gentry, CEO
RedChip Companies, Inc.
Phone: 1-407-644-4256
Email: XTIA@redchip.com 

 

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SOURCE XTI Aerospace, Inc.

FAQ

What is the impact of Trump's Executive Order on XTI Aerospace (XTIA)?

The Executive Order benefits XTI Aerospace by establishing an eVTOL pilot program, accelerating FAA rulemaking, providing access to federal test ranges, and prioritizing U.S.-made aircraft in federal procurement.

What are the key features of XTI Aerospace's TriFan 600 VTOL aircraft?

The TriFan 600 is a VTOL aircraft capable of flying nearly 1,000 miles at speeds over 300 mph, designed to operate using existing infrastructure without depending on charging systems.

How does the Executive Order streamline VTOL aircraft development?

The Order reduces redundant approvals, coordinates across FAA, OSTP, and DoD, mandates BVLOS rules within 30 days, and provides access to federal test ranges for U.S. VTOL developers.

What markets will XTI Aerospace's VTOL technology serve?

XTI's VTOL technology will serve military, commercial, private, and public sectors, including air medical, disaster response, cargo logistics, and emergency preparedness applications.

What is the timeline for FAA rulemaking under the new Executive Order?

The FAA must issue proposed BVLOS rules within 30 days and finalize them within 240 days of the Executive Order.