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U.S. Releases AAM Integration Roadmap
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has officially launched the nation’s first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Strategy. This roadmap targets initial AAM operations by 2027 and fully autonomous flights by 2035.
According to Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, who announced the strategy on December 18, 2025, this framework “safely and efficiently support(s) AAM operations” and helps the U.S. cement its global leadership in next-generation aviation.
“Since the Wright brothers first took flight in 1903, America has been at the forefront of aviation innovation,” Duffy said. “Today, we have a bold strategy to unlock the future of our skies and unleash this next chapter of aviation safely and efficiently.”
Comprehensive Framework Built on Six Critical Pillars
Pulling from the U.S. Congress and the private sector, the plan outlines 40 specific recommendations organized across six fundamental areas: airspace integration, automation technologies, community planning and engagement, infrastructure development, security protocols, and workforce development.
These six pillars form “a resilient foundation for national policy” essential to building a functional AAM ecosystem. The department defines Advanced Air Mobility as “a rapidly-emerging aerospace sector focused on safely and efficiently integrating highly automated aircraft into U.S. airspace.”
The strategy aims to use AAM as a transformative potential to reshape American transportation to once and for all improve mobility in both rural and urban areas. This was the original idea behind the 1950s concept of urban air mobility (UAM) that relied then on helicopter technology, but never fully materialized. The strategy also includes cargo operations and advancing medical and military transport capabilities, firmly aligning with how most of us have envisioned AAM for years. But now with the U.S. aviation industry generating $1.8 trillion in economic activity and contributing 4% of national GDP, federal officials see AAM as the next evolution in maintaining American aviation dominance.
Phased Implementation: From 2027 to 2035
The implementation plan employs a strategic framework called LIFT, organizing actions into four distinct phases with clearly defined milestones.
Phase 1: Near-Term Operations (2027)
The strategy targets demonstrations and initial operations of “contemporary aircraft” by 2027, leveraging and modifying existing airport and other aerospace infrastructure. This phase emphasizes building upon current aviation frameworks to support innovation while beginning actual flight operations. This is where we are excited to see eSTOLports included in this strategy, as they will expand upon the limited operations of eVTOL-only vertiports. Furthermore, the plan aims to encourage “a full U.S.-based supply chain, encompassing automation technology companies with highly efficient avionics, advanced carbon component manufacturers, and telecommunications providers.”
Phase 2: Expanded Operations (2030)
By 2030, the roadmap envisions creating new air operations in multiple urban and rural locations. Powered-lift and short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft are expected to provide increased travel options with reduced noise impact. The strategy anticipates these flights operating from new vertiport infrastructure “funded mostly by private sources,” with construction of accessible facilities in strategic locations.
The 2030 phase also plans to “take advantage of full-scale air traffic modernization” to establish efficient, low-altitude traffic management systems for AAM and unmanned aircraft integration.
Phase 3: Advanced Operations (2035)
The final phase targets “advanced air operations” including fully autonomous flight capabilities. These operations are specifically designed for areas where labor shortages or harsh environmental conditions might otherwise prevent traditional aviation services. This represents the strategy’s most ambitious component, requiring significant advances in automation, artificial intelligence, and regulatory frameworks.
Industry Response: Validation and Commitment
Backed by industry support from key stakeholders, François Lassale, president and CEO of Vertical Aviation International, called it “an important signal from the U.S. federal government” that demonstrates powered-lift aircraft “are not a concept” but “a developing operational reality.”
“The AAM National Strategy recognizes what rotorcraft operators have long understood: that experience matters,” Lassale said, noting that vertical aviation already performs many missions envisioned for AAM, including emergency response, medical transport, and utility support in complex low-level environments.
Aircraft manufacturers and AAM developers expressed enthusiasm about the federal commitment. Marc Allen, CEO of Electra.aero, described it as “a landmark moment for advanced air mobility,” applauding the administration’s “visionary leadership in navigating the most significant shift in aviation in a generation.”
Archer Aviation founder and CEO Adam Goldstein emphasized the importance of domestic development: “The future of aviation must be built in America. We welcome Secretary Duffy and the Department of Transportation’s leadership in advancing air taxis and are committed to bringing them into safe, real-world operation here in the U.S.”
BETA Technologies founder and CEO Kyle Clark noted that “global leadership in advanced air mobility will be held by those who build, certify, and deploy first,” adding that the national strategy “lays out a bold, long-term vision for the future of this industry” and positions the U.S. on the path to leadership.
Building on Recent Policy Momentum
The National Strategy builds upon several recent policy initiatives designed to accelerate American aviation innovation. The strategy follows through the implementation of provisions of the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act, passed by Congress in 2022. These provisions mandated a whole-of-government approach to advancing the U.S. AAM ecosystem.
Infrastructure and Community Integration Focus
A significant component of the strategy addresses infrastructure development and community engagement and acknowledges that successful AAM deployment depends on public acceptance and coordinated planning with local communities.
Kevin Burke, president and CEO of Airports Council International–North America, expressed gratitude for “the leadership of Secretary Duffy, along with the U.S. DOT and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in launching the AAM National Strategy and Comprehensive Plan.”
The infrastructure pillar emphasizes working with state and municipal governments, airports exploring AAM integration, and industry partners to ensure coordinated deployment. This includes program planning, regulatory alignment, infrastructure validation, and early deployment frameworks specifically designed for vertiport networks.
Next Steps: From Strategy to Implementation
While the strategy sets ambitious goals, industry leaders acknowledge that execution will determine success. Vertical Aviation International emphasized the need for sustained industry engagement as federal agencies translate policy into rulemaking, guidance, and investment decisions.
“A strategy sets direction, not outcomes,” Lassale cautioned. “As federal agencies move into implementation of this plan, VAI will work with policymakers and industry to further advance the next generation of vertical aircraft and to allow them to integrate smoothly into the broader aviation system.”
The implementation plan identifies high-level activities across the LIFT framework phases, including research initiatives, stakeholder engagement programs, policy development processes, and technical deployment milestones. Federal agencies will now begin the detailed work of creating specific regulations, standards, and guidance necessary to achieve the strategy’s objectives.
Global Implications and Competitive Positioning
The strategy explicitly positions the United States to compete with international AAM development, particularly from countries like China and European nations that have announced their own AAM initiatives. By establishing clear timelines and comprehensive federal support, U.S. officials aim to ensure American companies and technologies lead the global market.
The emphasis on domestic supply chains, from avionics to carbon fiber components to telecommunications infrastructure, reflects broader national security and economic competitiveness priorities. Officials see AAM not just as a transportation innovation but as a strategic sector for American technological leadership.
As the U.S. aviation industry begins implementing this historic strategy, the coming years will test whether the ambitious 2027 and 2035 targets can be achieved. With strong industry support, federal commitment, and a comprehensive roadmap now in place, the United States has taken a definitive step toward leading the global Advanced Air Mobility revolution.
For complete details, the full Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy document is available on the Department of Transportation website.
Related News:
- Airport Technology: US issues first national strategy for advanced air mobility sector
- Vertical Magazine: U.S. targets initial Advanced Air Mobility ops in 2027
About Advanced Air Mobility:
Advanced Air Mobility encompasses a range of aviation innovations, particularly new aircraft types designed to operate below 5,000 feet. These include electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, powered-lift vehicles, and advanced short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft designed for urban and regional transportation, cargo delivery, emergency response, and specialized missions.