Wisk Aero Highlights Autonomy’s Role in U.S. Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy
Wisk Aero, a leading autonomous aviation company, today expressed strong endorsement of the recently published Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Strategy: A Bold Policy Vision for 2026–2036, led by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Announced in Washington, D.C., by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, the Strategy provides a comprehensive national framework to accelerate the safe, efficient, and equitable integration of both autonomous and piloted AAM operations into the National Airspace System (NAS). Wisk’s Certification and Policy team participated in the announcement, underscoring the company’s active role in shaping the future of urban and regional air mobility in the United States.
Autonomy at the Heart of AAM Success
Wisk has consistently emphasized that autonomy is the critical enabler of safe, scalable, and cost-effective AAM operations. The company’s input during the development of the National Strategy — including responses to federal Requests for Information (RFIs) and participation in working groups — ensured that autonomy’s role was formally recognized in the federal roadmap.
“The release of this National Strategy is a historic and pivotal moment for the entire AAM industry and for the future of U.S. aerospace leadership,” said Sebastien Vigneron, CEO of Wisk Aero. “For Wisk, the Strategy affirms that autonomy is key to unlocking the full potential of AAM. Autonomy enhances safety, facilitates scaling to meet public demand, and helps reduce operational costs. Federal recognition of this principle aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are eager to continue proving our technologies in real-world operations.”
The Path to National Strategy Development
The AAM National Strategy is the culmination of several years of work by the AAM Interagency Working Group (IWG), established by Congress to coordinate efforts across federal departments. The IWG includes 19 agencies, such as the DOT, Department of Defense, NASA, and others, reflecting the multidisciplinary and cross-sector nature of AAM development.
Wisk played an integral role in this process, hosting IWG sessions at its facilities to provide insights on autonomous flight operations, safety protocols, and operational integration into the NAS. The company’s input helped shape key portions of the Strategy, ensuring that autonomy was integrated as a foundational element for regulatory, operational, and safety frameworks.
Supporting U.S. Leadership in Aviation
The Strategy serves as a unifying policy framework for federal AAM initiatives, coordinating priorities across multiple agencies to ensure a cohesive approach to urban air mobility. By establishing clear guidance on safety, infrastructure utilization, workforce development, and technology integration, the Strategy lays the groundwork for scalable AAM operations in the United States.
Wisk views the Strategy as a critical umbrella framework, aligning with federal programs such as the FAA/DOT eVTOL and AAM Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). The eIPP, which supports the validation of real-world eVTOL operations ahead of full certification, is essential for proving operational feasibility and community integration. Wisk’s participation in these programs ensures that the company is positioned to advance autonomous air taxi operations while supporting federal objectives for safe and efficient integration into urban airspace.
“This coordinated approach is crucial for the United States to maintain its global leadership in aviation,” said Vigneron. “By fostering innovation, supporting workforce development, and enabling high-volume autonomous operations, the Strategy establishes a framework for a robust domestic AAM industry that can expand globally.”
Infrastructure, Safety, and Workforce Development
The National Strategy emphasizes several pillars critical to the success of AAM, all of which align closely with Wisk’s operational and technological roadmap.
- Infrastructure Utilization: The Strategy highlights the importance of leveraging existing or repurposed facilities for AAM operations. Wisk’s approach incorporates both urban vertiports and regional mobility hubs, ensuring efficient deployment without the need for large-scale, ground-up construction. By optimizing existing infrastructure, Wisk can accelerate service rollout while minimizing capital costs and community disruption.
- Safety and Regulatory Alignment: Safety is the cornerstone of Wisk’s autonomous technology. The company’s Gen 6 autonomous aircraft, which successfully completed its first flight in Hollister, California, on December 16, 2025, demonstrates the reliability of Wisk’s autonomous systems. Data and insights from these flights contribute directly to regulatory discussions and support the Strategy’s goal of integrating autonomous aircraft safely into the NAS.
- Workforce Development: The Strategy underscores the need for skilled personnel in manufacturing, operations, and air traffic management. Wisk has proactively built a talent pipeline through its apprenticeship programs, certification training for pilots and maintenance personnel, and partnerships with academic institutions. By preparing a workforce capable of supporting both autonomous and piloted AAM operations, Wisk is ensuring that human capital keeps pace with technological innovation.
Technological Foundations and Industry Collaboration
AAM requires the integration of advanced technologies, including autonomous flight systems, next-generation air traffic management, and high-throughput ground infrastructure. Wisk, in collaboration with its affiliate SkyGrid, has been actively involved in shaping the federal approach to these technologies.
Key initiatives highlighted by the Strategy include:
- The Brand New ATC System: Modernized air traffic control systems designed to accommodate high-volume autonomous operations.
- Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies (CAAT): A federal hub for innovation and testing in AAM, where Wisk participated in the inaugural meeting, contributing insights on autonomy and airspace integration.
- FAA Reauthorization 2024: Regulatory updates to support advanced air mobility, including integration of autonomous systems and streamlining certification processes.
By engaging with these initiatives, Wisk ensures that its technology roadmap aligns with national policy, fostering regulatory confidence and enabling safe operational deployment at scale.
Global Validation and Milestones
Wisk’s operational experience extends beyond U.S. borders. In 2025, the company conducted extensive flight testing and validation programs, providing data critical to both technology development and regulatory engagement. These efforts included:
- Gen 6 Aircraft First Flight: Achieved in Hollister, California, marking a major milestone in autonomous flight capabilities.
- Operational Demonstrations: Simulations and live flights designed to integrate autonomous aircraft safely with the NAS, supporting regulatory approval processes.
- Technology Validation: Data collected from autonomous operations inform system improvements, safety protocols, and scalability plans for high-volume AAM operations.
These milestones underscore Wisk’s ability to advance autonomous flight technologies while supporting the broader objectives of the National Strategy.
The publication of the AAM National Strategy sets the stage for a transformative era in U.S. aviation. Wisk is poised to actively implement the Strategy’s recommendations, participating in eVTOL operations, workforce development initiatives, and federal programs that support the safe integration of autonomous aircraft.
“Autonomy is not just a technological feature; it is the key to scaling air mobility safely, efficiently, and equitably,” said Vigneron. “The National Strategy validates our mission and provides a clear roadmap for collaboration with federal agencies, industry partners, and communities across the country. Wisk is ready to lead the way in bringing autonomous air mobility to the public while ensuring that safety, reliability, and operational excellence remain paramount.”
By aligning technological innovation with federal policy, Wisk is helping to establish the United States as a global leader in advanced air mobility. Through coordinated infrastructure use, robust safety protocols, workforce development, and autonomous flight validation, Wisk’s contributions to the National Strategy will help shape the future of urban and regional air transportation for decades to come.
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