An ICON A5 for the U.S. Military

An ICON A5 for the U.S. Military—or China?

Julie Boatman

Monday, January 31, 2022 at 11:42 AM ET

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How could the ICON A5 fit in a military operation? We asked an expert. [Courtesy: ICON Aircraft]

Key Takeaways:

The Committee of Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) is investigating concerns that assigning the ICON A5's intellectual property to a Chinese-government-backed entity could pose undue risk to U.S. national security interests.
XQT Aero is developing the "Ocean Eagle" project to convert the ICON A5 into a militarized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for potential U.S. military maritime missions.
XQT Aero's CEO contends the ICON A5 is uniquely suited for these UAV missions due to its proprietary folding wing design, ability to accept higher horsepower engines, and advanced hull capable of operating in heavy seas, surpassing other light sport aircraft.
The project aims to leverage these unique capabilities for the U.S. Navy, with XQT Aero urging against the transfer of the A5's technology to China.

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So, we had to ask: Is the ICON A5 really a platform of interest for the U.S. military? And would the assignment of its IP to a Chinese-government-backed entity pose undue concern for U.S. interests on the global stage?

A recent investigation opened by the Committee of Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) came in response to a group of minor investors in ICON who asserted just this—and we wanted to understand how the A5 would fit any mission with higher stakes than splashing into lunch on a scenic lake.