FACT SHEET: FCC Takes Action to Secure the Drone Supply Chain
Agency Extends Deadline for Trusted Drones, Seeks Comment on Banning Commercial Sales of Foreign-made Military-Grade Drones
   
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2026—The FCC today announced steps to secure the drone industry supply chain.  First, following a Department of War (DoW) determination, the FCC extended the exceptions to the FCC’s Covered Listing of foreign-produced drones, allowing drones and drone components listed on the DoW Blue UAS List that meet the Buy America content thresholds or that have been granted Conditional Approval by DoW to continue to receive new authorizations.  Second, the Commission released a Public Notice seeking comment on whether to prohibit the importation or sale for non-USG use of foreign-produced military-grade drones on the Covered List, including swarming drones and drones with infrared technology. 

Context

Last December, following an Executive Branch national security determination that foreign-produced Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and UAS critical components pose unacceptable national security risks, the FCC added such UAS and UAS critical components to the Covered List.  This prohibited the authorization of new models of foreign-produced UAS and UAS critical components in the U.S.

Over the ensuing months, following further determinations by DoW, the FCC removed from the Covered List UAS and UAS critical components that are on the DoW Blue UAS List (i.e. those cleared for sale to DoW); and those that meet the Buy American standard of 65% of components made in the U.S.; and UAS and UAS critical components that have been granted a Conditional Approval by DoW following a commitment to onshore production.  All these exemptions were set to end on January 1, 2027. 

Since last December, we have seen many economic benefits as well: over $4 billion has flowed to U.S.-based drone and related production companies, opening up hundreds of thousands of square feet of manufacturing space and creating thousands of jobs. 

The FCC has also been active in its Drone Dominance docket, accelerating the deployment of drone technology, launching a proceeding to cut red tape and modernize obsolete regulations to unleash American drone dominance, and taking steps to unleash prime spectrum allocations and innovative experimental licensing.
 
What the FCC Just Did

The Commission issued two Public Notices earlier today:

· Extension of Exceptions:  Following a DoW determination regarding the exceptions to the Covered List ban on foreign-produced UAS and UAS critical components, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) amended the Covered List.  First, PSHSB extended the exceptions for the DoW’s Blue UAS List and those that meet the Buy America standard of being assembled in the U.S. with at least 65% of components by value produced in the U.S. for another year until January 1, 2028.  Second, PSHSB entirely eliminated the termination date for foreign produced UAS and UAS critical components that have been granted Conditional Approvals, ensuring these devices will not face restrictions.  These actions together will give certainty to industry that UAS and UAS critical components determined to not pose national security concerns will not face imminent restrictions. 
· Foreign-Produced Military-Grade Drone Prohibition:  While the Covered List prospectively bans the authorization for import, marketing, or sale of new models of “covered” equipment, the FCC has the discretion to prohibit the import, marketing, or sale of categories of “covered” equipment if in the public interest.  Today, PSHSB and the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) issued a Public Notice seeking comment on whether we should prohibit the import, marketing, or sale of certain military-grade foreign-made UAS and UAS critical components on the FCC’s Covered List.  Given that these devices have been found to pose unacceptable national security risks, the FCC tentatively concluded there were strong national security reasons to do so.  Comments are due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. 
o Any prohibition would exclude:
§ UAS and UAS critical components not on the Covered List, either because they were produced in the U.S. or are exempted, such as pursuant to Blue UAS, Buy America, or have received a Conditional Approvals.
§ UAS and UAS critical components imported, marketed, or sold for use by the federal government or for commercial testing and product development.
§ The use or operation of any already-purchased drones. 
o The item seeks comment on extending this prohibition to categories of drones viewed by the U.S. government as having military capability or posing particular national security risks: 
§ Swarming drones;
§ Drones specially designed to integrate defense articles;
§ Thermal imaging drones;
§ Drones integrating LiDAR sensing;
§ Aerosol drones capable of dispensing “economic poison” under FAA rules;
§ Drone docking stations;
§ UAS that weigh 55 lbs. or more. 

What Has the FCC Done This Month on Drones

· Earlier today, the FCC began proceedings to revoke two equipment authorizations recently granted to Odyssey Robot for falsely claiming to produce its drone in the U.S.  This morning’s FCC action marked the first revocation proceeding against a drone company trying to evade our rules.
· In addition, last week, the FCC issued a Public Notice that sought comment on whether it should prohibit the import, marketing, or sale of certain “covered” equipment, including foreign-produced drones made by several specific companies.
· Earlier this month, the FCC announced a series of expedited actions to advance the coordinated federal effort to implement the SAFER SKIES Act by clarifying the legal authority and providing guidance that enables state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement and correctional agencies operating under that Act to take effective counter-drone measures.

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