FCC Unveils New Language for Next Phase of Trusted Drone Policy
FCC Expands Exemptions for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
Latest Developments in Drone Approval Policy
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has added two uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to its list of devices exempt from the agency’s Covered List. This addition is accompanied by significant policy changes that indicate a shift in how the U.S. government plans to manage trusted drone manufacturers in the future.
New Drone Platforms Granted Conditional Approval
On July 24, the FCC released a Public Notice granting Conditional Approval to Exedy Globalparts Corporation’s Ayre CX and Parallel Flight Technologies’ Firefly UAS. This approval exempts these platforms from the FCC Covered List, which identifies communications equipment and services deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security.
In December 2025, the FCC expanded the Covered List to include nearly all foreign-produced UAS and critical drone components, establishing a pathway for specific products to receive exemptions based on assessments from the Department of War (DoW) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Changes to Conditional Approval Framework
Onshoring Plans Replace Fixed Expiration Dates
Previously, Conditional Approvals for drone platforms included a fixed expiration date of December 31, 2026. However, the latest notice alters this approach.
The FCC now states that Conditional Approvals for foreign-produced UAS and critical components “will not terminate on December 31, 2026, so long as the applicant complies with its approved onshoring plan and updated vetting of the products.” Approvals will be revoked if a company fails to adhere to its onshoring plan or if false statements are discovered in the application.
This change is reflected in the updated approval list, which no longer includes expiration dates for approved UAS. Instead, approvals remain valid as long as recipients meet the government’s onshoring and compliance requirements.
Evolution of the Approval Process
The revised policy follows another FCC action announced on July 21, which extended exemptions for Blue UAS Cleared systems and products qualifying as domestic end products under the Buy American standard from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2028.
These developments suggest that the Conditional Approval program is transitioning from a series of temporary exemptions to a more permanent framework. The FCC is now linking continued approval to ongoing compliance with approved manufacturing and supply chain commitments.
The July notice also marks a continued expansion of the exemption program. Since the initial Conditional Approvals were announced in March, the FCC has consistently added new UAS platforms and expanded approvals for other communications equipment. The latest notice broadens earlier approvals for certain router manufacturers by encompassing entire product families rather than individual models.
With the addition of these two new UAS platforms, the FCC’s published list now includes 17 conditionally approved UAS platforms. This reflects the ongoing growth of the program since its inception in March and indicates a move towards a long-term framework based on trusted supply chains, domestic manufacturing commitments, and adherence to U.S. national security requirements.