Gov. Mike Braun wants Indiana at the center of America's development of drone technology.
The Republican signed an executive order Wednesday that seeks to make Indiana's association with unmanned aerial vehicles as widely recognized as the state's essential, longstanding role in the steel and auto manufacturing industries.
"Indiana has always stepped up to use our skills and labor to support America's defense. Indiana's advanced manufacturing capacity and our concentration of defense and research assets make us uniquely suited to lead in America's pursuit of drone dominance," Braun said.
The governor's directive establishes a task force of up to nine members charged with identifying, by mid-2026, how to position Indiana as a drone sector asset that drives innovation, prototyping, experimentation, economic development and public benefit.
Specifically, the Indiana Initiative for Drone Dominance (I2D2) is expected to assess the state's drone manufacturing capacity, promote the restricted airspace over assets like Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck Urban Training Center for drone development, and establish partnerships between military, business and academic entities that encourage drone research and invention.
"This new task force will position Indiana as a national asset and drive innovation in this important sector," Braun said.
The governor also hinted he may ask state lawmakers to make whatever policy changes are needed to enable widespread drone testing in Indiana, while maintaining public safety and protecting the privacy rights of Hoosiers.
U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., who separately is advocating for a renewed emphasis on shipbuilding in Indiana and across the United States, welcomed Braun's focus on drone development.
"Over the past several months, my team has worked hand in hand with Governor Braun's team on developing this executive order," Young said. "Drones are increasingly critical to our economy and national security, and as a leading manufacturing state, Indiana is positioned to help unleash American drone dominance."
Neither officeholder indicated how the United States will pay for expanded drone development. Both have expressed serious concerns about the nation's $38 trillion debt burden.
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