莫卡特斯中心-美国和中国的无人机政策和产业政策：比较和对美国立法者的建议（英）-2022.2-21页_285kb

Summary of Drone Policy and Industrial Policy in the United States and China

Core Content

The document compares the drone policies and industrial developments of the United States and China, highlighting differences in regulatory approaches, industry maturity, and strategic goals. It also offers policy recommendations for American lawmakers based on these comparisons.

Main Points

China's Drone Policy Framework

• Regulatory Objectives: China aims to lead in the "fourth industrial revolution" by developing commercial drone, eVTOL, and urban air mobility (UAM) technologies.
• Airworthiness Certification:
  • The CAAC introduced airworthiness trial guidelines in May 2020, ending in June 2021.
  • Certification is based on a risk-based system, with risk levels determined by management system risk, kinetic energy, and collision risk.
  • Subjective scoring is used for management system risk, which may allow the CAAC to influence approval processes.
• Registration and Safety Analysis:
  • The CAAC introduced registration requirements for UAVs, including real-name and nationality QR codes.
  • Safety analysis includes risk classification for cargo and passenger drones, with specific categories for passenger numbers.
• Technical Guidelines:
  • Trials on technical standards for different drone types (small, medium, large, and high-risk) are ongoing.
  • China's 5G infrastructure and domestic manufacturing capabilities provide an advantage in drone communication and control.
• Drone Sandboxes:
  • The CAAC has established 13 drone sandboxes for testing in various locations.
  • These sandboxes support system compliance, safety testing, and airspace experimentation.
  • Local governments are encouraged to tailor procedures within national standards, leading to minimal regulatory variation across regions.

China's Drone Industry

• Commercial Applications:
  • Companies like SF Express and JD.com are developing fixed-wing cargo drones for long-distance deliveries.
  • VTOL cargo drones are being tested for last-mile and rural deliveries, especially in underdeveloped areas.
  • EHang is a leading company in passenger drones (eVTOL), with test flights and infrastructure partnerships.
• Industrial Capacity:
  • China has strong battery technology and domestic manufacturing capabilities.
  • However, semiconductor imports pose a challenge for drone development.

United States' Drone Policy Framework

• Regulatory Focus:
  • The FAA has been instructed to prioritize commercial drone services since 2012 and 2016.
  • The risk-based approach is used, but weight remains a key factor in risk assessment.
• Regulatory Initiatives:
  • Integration Pilot Program (IPP): Launched in 2017, aimed to test federal-state regulatory collaboration.
  • BEYOND Program: Launched in 2020, focuses on analyzing long-distance operations, economic benefits, and public concerns.
• State and Local Role:
  • States and tribes have a significant role in shaping drone laws, leading to a fragmented regulatory environment.
  • This has allowed policy experimentation and commercial innovation, but also created investment uncertainty.

United States' Drone Industry

• Commercial Activity:
  • There are numerous pilot programs for small and large drones, often requiring FAA waivers.
  • Joby Aviation is a leading eVTOL developer, expected to be FAA certified by 2024.
• Military Involvement:
  • The Air Force's Agility Prime program supports eVTOL and large drone development with funding and military airspace access.
  • The goal is to avoid reliance on Chinese supply chains and to stimulate domestic commercial drone markets.
• UAM Corridors:
  • NASA and FAA are planning UAM corridors for future operations, with studies ongoing in several states and local jurisdictions.

Key Information

• China's Advantage:
  • Strong industrial base and 5G infrastructure.
  • Subjective regulations may favor domestic companies.
  • Rugged terrain and large rural population support drone logistics.
• US Advantage:
  • Homeownership supports last-mile deliveries.
  • Federal and state collaboration is ongoing but not yet formalized.
  • Military programs are driving commercial drone development.
• Policy Recommendations:
  • The US should consider adopting more specific and objective regulations similar to China's trial standards.
  • This could encourage broader participation and increase competition.
  • Avoid regulatory favoritism that may distort market dynamics.

Conclusion

China has a more centralized and structured approach to drone regulation, aiming to lead in emerging technologies through strategic industrial policy. The US, while more fragmented, is pursuing innovation and competition through federal and state initiatives. Both nations are investing in drone infrastructure and technological development, but the US faces challenges in regulatory coordination and industrial leadership, which could be addressed through more structured and objective regulatory frameworks.