Elon Musk, the U.S. Drone Industry Needs Your Vision to Soar

Dear Elon Musk,

As a reporter who has covered the drone industry for nine years, first with DroneDJ, now with DroneXL, I’m writing to you on behalf of drone professionals, recreational pilots, and first responders. The U.S. drone sector faces a crisis, and we believe you—through your leadership at SpaceX, Tesla, X, and xAI—are the one to solve it. With Chinese drone giant DJI at risk of being pushed out of the U.S., we lack domestic alternatives to support critical operations, from saving lives to ensuring national security in potential drone conflicts.

A Growing Void in the U.S. Drone Market

The potential exclusion of Chinese drone maker DJI, a dominant player in the global drone market, creates a significant gap. As we stressed in a recent discussion on X the stakes are high: “Instantly banning @DJIGlobal drones will cost a lot of lives in the US. Fewer people will be saved! Fewer first responders will be kept safe!”

This statement reflects the reality that drones are vital for search-and-rescue missions, disaster response, and law enforcement operations. For example, drones equipped with thermal imaging can locate missing hikers in dense forests or spot wildfires before they spread, often covering areas of up to 5 square miles in a single flight. Without reliable drones, these capabilities diminish, putting lives at risk.

Past U.S. efforts to fill this void have faltered. GoPro’s attempt to enter the drone market with its Karma drone failed due to technical issues and poor market fit, leading to its discontinuation in 2018. Skydio, once a promising U.S. drone maker, exited the consumer market in 2023, unable to compete with DJI’s scale and pricing.

As we explained on X, “Currently, no US drone maker, including @SkydioHQ and @BrincDrones, would be able to fill the void.” This underscores a harsh truth: the U.S. lacks a drone manufacturer capable of meeting both consumer and professional demands on a domestic, let alone a global stage.

Why You, Elon, Are the Answer

Your track record proves you can succeed where others have failed. With Tesla, you entered the fiercely competitive U.S. automotive industry and built a company that now leads in electric vehicle production, delivering over 1.8 million vehicles globally in 2024 alone. This success stemmed from your ability to combine deep financial resources, cutting-edge engineering, and unwavering determination—qualities the industry desperately needs. The U.S. drone industry needs someone like you. Someone with deep pockets, engineering skills, and determination to start a real US drone company!

The Need for a Self-Sustaining U.S. Drone Leader

The U.S. drone industry doesn’t need another company propped up by programs like Blue sUAS or Green sUAS, which rely on legislative support and lobbying to survive. Instead, we need a manufacturer that can “fly using its own wings”—one that competes globally through innovation and efficiency.

Imagine a U.S. drone company under your leadership, producing unmanned aircraft with advanced AI autonomy, long-range capabilities (think 20-mile flight ranges), and modular payloads for everything from agricultural mapping to military reconnaissance. Such a company could rival international players, ensuring the U.S. isn’t left vulnerable in future drone conflicts, where unmanned systems are already reshaping warfare.

A Call to Action

With your recent commitments in Washington, D.C., easing, leading another venture aligns with your proven ability to manage multiple enterprises. The drone industry is a challenge worthy of your talents, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. As someone who has witnessed the industry’s struggles firsthand, I can say with confidence: no one is better positioned to succeed than you. Will you step up to build the U.S. drone company we urgently need?

Sincerely,

Haye Kesteloo
Founder of DroneXL