The global unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) components and systems market has been roiled in recent years by contentious trade and national security concerns.
The latest hammer blow came as the US Department of Commerce banned T-MOTOR (Jiangxi Xintuo Enterprise Co. Ltd.), a major supplier of propulsion motors for US-built UAVs, or drones. T-Motor was one of several suppliers added to the US Entity List, which means suppliers need licenses before shipping goods and technology.
High hurdle for drone makers
The ban, effective April 11, 2024, created an urgent supply chain hurdle for large multirotor and separate lift and thrust (SLT) and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle makers in the US because Chinese brushless motors have long been popular in powering these larger airborne platforms.
But the global market for middle- and lower-end UAVs are also newly disrupted. In short, to comply with the edict, many US vehicle designers will need to rapidly swap out all of their UAV motors and any other components from T-Motor for now legally allowed ones.
As a result, the new law and updated Pentagon procurement programs may very well tilt the playing field back to the level for US autonomous vehicle manufacturers, not only in the air — but on land and water, too.
A chance to change the industry
“Despite the recent T-Motor ban by the US Government, we see this as a chance to revolutionize the industry,” said Nick Grewal, CEO of ePropelled, Inc. in Laconia, NH. “Let’s transform what may initially appear as bad news into an incredible opportunity.”
The tensions between the US and China over technology supply chain concerns have been brewing for several years. Congress in 2019, for example, banned the Pentagon from buying or using drones and components manufactured in China.
Escalating tensions over trade
The trade wars have not been only one-way. According to Reuters, China in July 2023 announced export controls on some drones and drone-related equipment. The limits that began Sept. 1, 2023, were designed to safeguard “national security and interests” amid escalating tension with the US over technology products. The restrictions were placed on some drone engines, lasers, communication equipment, and anti-drone systems, and said no commercial drones could be exported for military purposes, according to China’s commerce ministry.
Mistrust is likely to continue over the use of Chinese commercial products for military purposes by countries deemed hostile by the US and its allies. More systems and suppliers may be curtailed or banned, as T-Motor products have been.
Finding new acceptable sources for low-risk supply chain resiliency by US makers of autonomous vehicles is sure to be an increasingly demanding and necessary undertaking.
“It’s essential to develop a comprehensive drone industry in the US immediately,” said Grewal. “The global drone market is projected to grow from $30.6 billion in 2022 to $58.4 billion by 2026, highlighting the increasing significance of drone technology. China currently dominates the commercial drone market. To counter potential threats and secure a competitive edge, the US and its allies must invest in research, development, and production of advanced drone systems now. At ePropelled, we are doing just that.”
Based in Laconia, NH, USA, ePropelled, Inc. designs and builds a broad array of robust and intelligent propulsion systems for unmanned vehicles. The company empowers unmanned vehicle designers to unleash their total mission creativity by solving the requirements for agile and efficient propulsion systems and solutions.
ePropelled delivers complete solutions, including propulsion motors, electronic speed controllers, propellers, and state-of-the-art power management systems.
Look to ePropelled for solutions
From tiny to massive, from farm fields to the edge of space, ePropelled’s broad range of propulsion motors, starter generators, and controllers leverage patented advances in real-time software to enable hybrid and highly adaptive thrust power delivery across myriad vehicle and energy supply scenarios.
ePropelled optimizes electric propulsion with advanced technology for real-time data monitoring and intelligent instrumentation. Through ePConnected™, unmanned system performance and reliability are always measured and managed, setting new and ever-improving standards in efficiency and innovation.
For more information, contact ePropelled at [email protected], call 603-236-7444, or visit https://epropelled.com
Discover more from sUAS News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
