The US applies new rules to make it easier to export drones. Under a new policy announced Friday, unmanned aerial systems that fly at speeds below 800 k/h will no longer be subject to the “presumption of denial”. This decision will affect most blocked international sales of drones such as the MQ-9 Reaper and the RQ-4 Global Hawk.
This change will have effects how the United States interprets the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) The U.S. government’s interpretation of the export controls had caused to a denial of most countries’ requests to buy “category-1” systems. Those systems are capable of carrying 500-kilogram payloads for more than 300 kilometres. The new guidance will allow to abandon such restriction and follow standard military export procedure.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)