ARTICLE · 30 SEPTEMBER 2026
FCC Moves To Restrict Foreign-Made Drones While Clearing The Airspace For U.S. Innovation
The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Covered List reforms adopted on July 22, 2026, will take effect October 13, 2026, with significant impacts on the U.S. drone market. The newly effective rules will tighten procedures for modifying devices, including drones, as well as prohibit authorizations for any device that contains "logic-bearing hardware" produced by Covered List entities and extend marketing rules to online marketplaces while expressly requiring them to display FCC identification numbers at the online point of sale.
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Highlights
- The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Covered List reforms adopted on July 22, 2026, will take effect October 13, 2026, with significant impacts on the U.S. drone market. The newly effective rules will tighten procedures for modifying devices, including drones, as well as prohibit authorizations for any device that contains "logic-bearing hardware" produced by Covered List entities and extend marketing rules to online marketplaces while expressly requiring them to display FCC identification numbers at the online point of sale.
- In response to a separate July action, the FCC received more than 3,800 comments on its proposal to prohibit importation and marketing of foreign-produced "military-grade" drones, including swarming drones, thermal imaging drones, drones equipped with Light Detection and Ranging, and drones over 55 pounds.
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