FCC Approves Ascento UAS Operations with Conditions
FCC Exempts Ascento Guard Dori USA v1 from Covered List
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has updated its Covered List to include an exemption for another uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) following a Conditional Approval from the Department of War (DoW).
Details of the Approval
In a Public Notice issued on August 21, the FCC announced that the DoW granted Conditional Approval to Ascento Inc.’s Ascento Guard Dori USA v1 UAS. This approval exempts the specific system from the FCC’s Covered List, which includes equipment deemed to pose national security risks.
Additionally, the notice includes an exemption for several Wi-Fi routers manufactured by WNC Corporation.
Ongoing Conditional Approvals
The FCC added UAS and critical components produced in foreign countries to the Covered List in December 2025. The agency indicated that the list could be updated based on assessments from the DoW or the Department of Homeland Security regarding national security risks.
Since the establishment of this process, the DoW has granted Conditional Approvals to a variety of UAS. The current FCC list includes systems from companies such as:
- SiFly Aviation
- ScoutDI
- sees.ai
- AIR6
- Elevon Aerial
- Blueflite
- Verity
- Flock Safety
- ABZ Innovation
- Ceres Air
- Parallel Flight Technologies
In July, the terms of UAS Conditional Approvals were revised, eliminating fixed expiration dates. Approvals can remain valid as long as the applicant adheres to the onshoring plan included in their application and the products pass updated vetting. Non-compliance or false statements can result in the termination of the approval, returning the equipment to the Covered List. The FCC has confirmed that these conditions apply to the Ascento approval.
About Ascento
Ascento is a Swiss robotics company that originated from a project at ETH Zurich. The institution lists Ascento among its robotics startups, highlighting the company’s focus on developing mobile robots for security monitoring.
Ascento is recognized for its autonomous ground robots designed for patrolling large areas. The company’s commercial security platform integrates autonomous operation with cameras and sensors for various tasks, including perimeter checks and thermal monitoring. Ascento currently offers its Guard product as a robotics service.
The FCC notice does not provide technical specifications for the newly approved Guard Dori USA v1, and available information does not confirm that it is the same platform as Ascento’s more widely known ground robots. The FCC specifically identifies the Guard Dori USA v1 as an uncrewed aircraft system.
This Conditional Approval serves as another example of the process available for specific foreign-produced UAS to receive exemptions from the FCC Covered List.