Federal Communications Commission DA 26-253 DA 26-253 Released: March 18, 2026 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES CONDITIONAL APPROVAL OF CERTAIN UNCREWED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) AND UAS CRITICAL COMPONENTS AND EXEMPTION FROM FCC COVERED LIST WC Docket No. 18-89, ET Docket No. 21-232, EA Docket No. 21-233 The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC or Commission) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) maintains a list of equipment and services (Covered List) that have been determined to “pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons.” Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, Pub. L. No. 116-124, 133 Stat. 158 (2020) (codified as amended at 47 U.S.C. §§ 1601-1609) (Secure Networks Act); 47 CFR §§ 1.50002, 1.50003. For the current version of the Covered List, see Federal Communications Commission, List of Equipment and Services Covered By Section 2 of The Secure Networks Act, https://www.fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist (last updated Jan. 7, 2026). Pursuant to section 2 of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (Secure Networks Act) 47 U.S.C. § 1601. and sections 1.50002(a) and 1.50003 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR §§ 1.50002(a), 1.50003; see also Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through FCC Programs, WC Docket No. 18-89, Second Report and Order, 35 FCC Rcd 14284 (2020) (Supply Chain Second Report and Order). PSHSB announces that the Department of War (DoW) has granted conditional approvals for certain uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical components and, therefore, these devices are exempt from the Covered List. Recent Commission Actions. On December 22, 2025, PSHSB added all UAS and UAS critical components produced in a foreign country to the Covered List. Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Announces Addition of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and UAS Critical Components Produced Abroad, and Equipment and Services Listed In Section 1709 of the FY2025 NDAA, to FCC Covered List, WC Docket No. 18-89, Public Notice, DA 25-1086 (Dec. 22, 2025) (UAS Public Notice). This action was based on a National Security Determination from an Executive Branch interagency body, including several appropriate national security agencies, determining (among other things) that UAS produced in a foreign country pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons. See UAS Public Notice. Separately, the National Security Determination found similar “unacceptable risks” were posed by “all communications and video surveillance equipment and services listed in Section 1709(a)(1) of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act.” Id. at 2. In the Public Notice, we stated, “If we receive a further specific determination from the Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security that a given UAS, class of UAS, or UAS critical component does not pose unacceptable risks, we will further update the Covered List.” UAS Public Notice at 3; see also 47 U.S.C. § 1601(d)(2); § 47 CFR 1.50003(b). On January 7, 2026, the Commission received a subsequent National Security Determination from DoW stating that certain equipment should be removed from the Covered List because it does not pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons. Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Announces Exemption of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and UAS Critical Components from FCC Covered List, WC Docket No. 18-89, Public Notice, DA 26-22 (Jan. 7, 2026) (Second UAS Public Notice). Accordingly, PSHSB updated the Covered List to exempt: UAS and UAS critical components included on the Defense Contract Management Agency’s (DCMA) Blue UAS Cleared List now and until January 1, 2027; and UAS and UAS critical components that qualify as “domestic end products” under the Buy American Standard (48 CFR § 25.101(a)), until January 1, 2027. Conditional Approvals. The National Security Determinations concluded that the identified UAS and UAS critical components should be included on the Covered List, unless DoW or DHS makes a specific determination to the FCC that a given UAS or class of UAS, or a specific UAS critical component, does not pose risks to U.S. national security. The FCC established a process for entities to request individual Conditional Approvals for their covered UAS and UAS critical components by submitting the required information. DoW has reviewed the submissions and granted Conditional Approvals, which terminate on December 31, 2026, to the following entities: SiFly Aviation, Inc. Q12 Uncrewed Aircraft System Mobilicom SkyHopper Series / M Band / Tactical Data Link, Various Controllers, and ICE, OS3 Security Software ScoutDI Scout 137 Uncrewed Aircraft System Verge, Inc. X1 Uncrewed Aircraft System The Covered List. We find that each of the Conditional Approvals constitutes “a specific determination” by DoW “that a given UAS or class of UAS, or a specific UAS critical component, does not pose risks to U.S. national security.” See Second UAS Public Notice, Appx. B. Therefore, we conclude that PSHSB is required to update the Covered List to exclude the equipment identified in these Conditional Approvals. As such, we update the UAS entry on the Covered List to read as follows: “Uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical components produced in a foreign country††—except (a) UAS and UAS critical components included on the Defense Contract Management Agency’s (DCMA’s) Blue UAS Cleared List, until January 1, 2027,# (b) UAS and UAS critical components that qualify as “domestic end products” under the Buy American Standard, 48 CFR 25.101(a), until January 1, 2027; and (c) devices which have been granted a Conditional Approval by DoW—and all communications and video surveillance equipment and services listed in Section 1709(a)(1) of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (Pub. L. 118-159).” PSHSB takes this action under its authority and obligation to publish and maintain the Covered List. Sections 1.50002(a) and 1.50003 of the Commission’s rules require PSHSB to publish the Covered List on the Commission’s website, to maintain and update the Covered List, and to monitor the status of determinations. 47 CFR §§ 1.50002(a), 1.50003. See Supply Chain Second Report and Order, 35 FCC Rcd at 14319, 14325, paras. 72, 77, 92. The updated Covered List and the list of devices that received Conditional Approvals are attached as Appendices A and B to this Public Notice and can also be found on the Bureau’s website at https://www.fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist. The FCC website also contains a list of certain affiliates and subsidiaries of entities identified on the Covered List. The list of affiliates and subsidiaries does not constitute a comprehensive list of all entities that the Commission may find, upon further examination, to qualify as relevant subsidiaries or affiliates of entities on the Covered List. Those entities, whether or not they currently provide covered communications equipment or services, are subject to the Commission’s prohibitions, such as the prohibition against obtaining authorizations for covered equipment. See Reminder: Communications Equipment And Services On The Covered List Pose An Unacceptable Risk To National Security, National Security Advisory No. 2025-01, DA 25-927, note 3 (PSHSB Oct. 14, 2025). We note the continued availability of FCC staff guidance pursuant to sections 0.191 and 0.31(i) of the Commission’s rules. Commission staff will provide guidance to TCBs, test labs, and equipment authorization applicants on the impact of these updates. For further information, please contact Chris Smeenk at 202-418-1630 or Chris.Smeenk@fcc.gov, or Rebecca Clinton at 202-418-7815 or Rebecca.Clinton@fcc.gov, Attorney Advisers, Operations and Emergency Management Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. For specific questions related to Conditional Approvals, please send them to drones@fcc.gov – FCC – 2 APPENDIX A COVERED LIST (Updated March 18, 2026)*† Covered Equipment or Services* Date of Inclusion on Covered List Telecommunications equipment produced or provided by Huawei Technologies Company, including telecommunications or video surveillance services produced or provided by such entity or using such equipment. March 12, 2021 Telecommunications equipment produced or provided by ZTE Corporation, including telecommunications or video surveillance services provided or provided by such entity or using such equipment. March 12, 2021 Video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced or provided by Hytera Communications Corporation, to the extent it is used for the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, including telecommunications or video surveillance services produced or provided by such entity or using such equipment. March 12, 2021 Video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced or provided by Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, to the extent it is used for the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, including telecommunications or video surveillance services produced or provided by such entity or using such equipment. March 12, 2021 Video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced or provided by Dahua Technology Company, to the extent it is used for the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, including telecommunications or video surveillance services produced or provided by such entity or using such equipment. March 12, 2021 Information security products, solutions, and services supplied, directly or indirectly, by AO Kaspersky Lab or any of its predecessors, successors, parents, subsidiaries, or affiliates. March 25, 2022 International telecommunications services provided by China Mobile International USA Inc. subject to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934. March 25, 2022 Telecommunications services provided by China Telecom (Americas) Corp. subject to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934. March 25, 2022 International telecommunications services provided by Pacific Networks Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary ComNet (USA) LLC subject to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934. September 20, 2022 International telecommunications services provided by China Unicom (Americas) Operations Limited subject to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934. September 20, 2022 Cybersecurity and anti-virus software produced or provided by Kaspersky Lab, Inc. or any of its successors and assignees. July 23, 2024 Uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical components produced in a foreign country††—except (a) UAS and UAS critical components included on the Defense Contract Management Agency’s (DCMA’s) Blue UAS Cleared List, until January 1, 2027,# (b) UAS critical components that qualify as “domestic end products” under the Buy American Standard, 48 CFR 25.101(a), until January 1, 2027; and (c) devices which have been granted a Conditional Approval by DoW or DHS—and all communications and video surveillance equipment and services listed in Section 1709(a)(1) of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (Pub. L. 118-159). December 22, 2025 Updated: January 7, 2026 Updated: March 18, 2026 *The inclusion of producers or providers of equipment or services named on this list should be read to include the subsidiaries and affiliates of such entities. †Where equipment or services on the list are identified by category, such category should be construed to include only equipment or services capable of the functions outlined in sections 2(b)(2)(A), (B), or (C) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, 47 U.S.C. § 1601(b)(2)(A)-(C). ††For purposes of inclusion of UAS and UAS critical components, we incorporate the definitions included in the associated National Security Determination. #The “Blue UAS list” referred to in the National Security Determination is the combination of the “Blue UAS Cleared List” at https://bluelist.appsplatformportals.us/Cleared-List/ and the list of compliant UAS components and software at https://bluelist.appsplatformportals.us/Framework/. We use the term “Blue UAS Cleared List” to refer to both lists. APPENDIX B Conditional Approvals March 18, 2026 Devices Granted Conditional Approval Date of Conditional Approval SiFly Aviation, Inc. Q12 Uncrewed Aircraft System March 17, 2026-December 31, 2026 Mobilicom SkyHopper Series / M Band / Tactical Data Link, Various Controllers, and ICE, OS3 Security Software March 17, 2026-December 31, 2026 ScoutDI Scout 137 Uncrewed Aircraft System March 17, 2026-December 31, 2026 Verge, Inc. X1 Uncrewed Aircraft System March 17, 2026-December 31, 2026