Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Visits Reliable Robotics to Highlight American Innovation in the Future of Flight
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy visited Reliable Robotics at the Albuquerque International Sunport this week, underscoring the federal government’s growing focus on autonomous aviation technologies and the future of advanced air mobility in the United States. The visit highlighted ongoing efforts to accelerate innovation in aviation while ensuring safety, regulatory readiness, and expanded connectivity for rural and underserved communities.
During the tour, Secretary Duffy observed firsthand how Reliable Robotics is developing autonomous flight systems designed to transform regional air cargo operations. The company, an American aerospace innovator specializing in aircraft autonomy, has been selected alongside the City of Albuquerque by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to participate in the Department of Transportation’s Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).
This landmark initiative is designed to evaluate and validate next-generation aviation technologies in real-world environments. It allows selected participants to test autonomous and remotely piloted aircraft systems while collecting critical data to inform future regulatory frameworks and integration standards for national airspace operations.
As part of the program, Reliable Robotics will deploy retrofitted general aviation aircraft equipped with its proprietary autonomous flight technology suite. These aircraft incorporate advanced safety systems, including a company-developed radar system, enabling enhanced situational awareness and precision navigation for autonomous and remotely piloted operations.
Test operations under the program are expected to begin in August 2026, marking an important milestone in the company’s progression toward commercial deployment of autonomous regional cargo services.
Secretary Duffy emphasized the significance of the initiative, describing it as a major step forward in unlocking the potential of American aviation innovation. He noted that under the current administration, there is a strong commitment to advancing technologies that improve efficiency, safety, and connectivity across the national airspace system.
According to Duffy, programs like the eIPP are essential for gathering real-world operational data that will help the FAA develop and finalize regulatory frameworks for autonomous aircraft. He highlighted that these efforts are not only about technological advancement but also about ensuring that new aviation systems can be safely integrated into existing air traffic infrastructure.
He further noted that autonomous aviation technologies have the potential to significantly improve the speed and affordability of transporting goods, particularly to rural and remote regions where traditional air service options may be limited.
Reliable Robotics CEO and co-founder Robert Rose also spoke during the visit, emphasizing the importance of this moment in aviation history. He described the current period as one of the most exciting times in the industry, driven by rapid advancements in automation, artificial intelligence, and safety systems.
Rose explained that the company’s participation in the eIPP represents a critical opportunity to accelerate its path toward FAA certification and eventual commercial deployment. He highlighted that autonomous aviation systems are designed not to replace human oversight entirely but to enhance safety by addressing the most common causes of aviation accidents, including human error.
According to Rose, Reliable Robotics’ technology improves operational efficiency while expanding access to air transportation services. By enabling remotely piloted or autonomous aircraft operations, the company aims to create a new model for regional cargo transport that is both safer and more cost-effective.
He further stated that this innovation has the potential to transform connectivity across the United States, particularly in areas that are underserved by traditional aviation networks.
The City of Albuquerque has also played a key role in supporting the initiative. Economic Development Director Max Gruner highlighted the city’s long-standing reputation as a hub for aerospace innovation and technological development.
Gruner noted that Albuquerque has historically served as a launchpad for advanced aviation and aerospace technologies, making it a natural partner for programs focused on next-generation flight systems. He emphasized that collaboration with Reliable Robotics through the eIPP will bring tangible benefits to the local economy and surrounding communities.
The partnership is expected to support regional job creation, attract additional aerospace investment, and position New Mexico as a leader in autonomous aviation development.
During his visit, Secretary Duffy also drew attention to a significant infrastructure investment at Albuquerque International Sunport. A $26 million modernization initiative is currently underway to upgrade and transform the airport’s air traffic control systems.
The modernization project includes a comprehensive overhaul of communication and navigation infrastructure. Key upgrades involve replacing aging copper telecommunications systems with high-speed fiber-optic networks, installing new voice switching systems, and upgrading radar and radio equipment used for air traffic management.
In addition, the airport will transition from traditional paper-based flight strip systems to advanced electronic flight data management tools. This shift is expected to improve efficiency, reduce human error, and enhance coordination between air traffic controllers and pilots.
The modernization program also includes the deployment of a state-of-the-art training simulator designed to enhance workforce development and ensure that air traffic controllers are fully prepared to operate within an increasingly digital and automated aviation environment.
These improvements are part of a broader national effort to modernize the United States’ air traffic control system and ensure that it is capable of supporting emerging aviation technologies, including autonomous aircraft, drones, and advanced air mobility platforms.
The visit to Albuquerque also highlighted broader federal efforts to accelerate innovation in aviation. Under the administration’s “Unleashing Drone Dominance” Executive Order, Secretary Duffy and the FAA selected eight pilot projects spanning 26 states to participate in the eIPP program.
This initiative represents one of the largest coordinated real-world testing environments for next-generation aircraft systems in the world. Its primary objective is to safely accelerate the development and deployment of advanced aviation technologies while ensuring they meet rigorous safety and performance standards.
By supporting these pilot programs, the FAA aims to gather valuable operational data that will inform the development of national regulations governing autonomous flight operations, drone integration, and advanced air mobility systems.
In December, the Department of Transportation and the FAA also launched the United States’ first comprehensive advanced air mobility (AAM) strategy. This strategic framework outlines 40 key recommendations designed to guide the safe and efficient integration of advanced air mobility technologies into the national airspace system.
The strategy focuses on enabling new forms of transportation that leverage electric aircraft, autonomous systems, and innovative logistics models to improve mobility, reduce emissions, and expand access to air transportation services.
Together, the eIPP program and the national AAM strategy represent a coordinated federal effort to position the United States as a global leader in next-generation aviation technology.
As Reliable Robotics prepares for its upcoming test operations in 2026, the collaboration between government agencies, industry innovators, and local partners such as Albuquerque is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of autonomous flight.
The initiative reflects a broader transformation underway in aviation—one that blends advanced automation, digital infrastructure, and regulatory innovation to create a safer, more efficient, and more connected air transportation system for the future.
About Reliable Robotics
Reliable Robotics is bringing certifiable autonomy to commercial and defense aviation. The company’s automation system is designed to work on any aircraft, in any airspace, and to directly address the most common causes of aviation incidents. Reliable’s vision is to transform the way we move goods and people around the planet with safer, more affordable and more scalable air transportation. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, CA and has a distributed global workforce.