FCC Issues Exemptions, Clarifications For Sweeping Prohibition Of Foreign-Made Drones

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken several follow-on actions that impact its December 2025 drone-focused addition to the FCC's Covered List of communications equipment and services that pose unacceptable national security risks. The December entry added to the Covered List all uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones), and UAS "critical components," that are "produced in a foreign country," thereby banning such equipment from obtaining any new FCC approvals through the agency's radiofrequency equipment authorization program. The December entry was based on a National Security Determination issued by an "interagency body" identifying the risks associated with such equipment. The breadth and novelty of the new, unanticipated entry raised several questions among stakeholders, which the FCC has now sought to address through several documents and actions issued January 7.