FCC Seeks Comment on Proposed Restrictions for Military-Grade Foreign Drones

On July 21, 2026, the FCC released a Public Notice, DA 26-758, seeking comment on a proposal that would prohibit the future importation and marketing of certain previously authorized foreign-produced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical components that are included on the FCC Covered List. The proposal specifically targets equipment that the FCC considers to be "military-grade" and seeks input from industry stakeholders before determining whether additional restrictions are warranted.

The proposal follows a series of recent FCC actions addressing national security concerns associated with communications equipment and technology supply chains. While existing FCC rules already prevent the authorization of newly identified Covered List equipment, this proceeding focuses on equipment that received authorization before those restrictions were adopted and remains available for importation and sale in the United States.

Under the proposal, the FCC would prohibit the importation and marketing of foreign-produced military-grade UAS and UAS critical components that are listed on the Covered List. Importantly, the FCC is not proposing to revoke existing equipment authorizations, nor would the proposal affect equipment already purchased and deployed. Existing users would be permitted to continue operating affected devices.

The FCC  proposes to classify several categories of products as military-grade UAS, including large drones weighing more than 55 pounds, systems capable of dispensing chemicals, drones equipped with thermal imaging sensors or LiDAR technology, autonomous docking stations, platforms designed to integrate defense-related payloads, and systems capable of swarm operations. According to the FCC, these capabilities may present heightened national security concerns due to their potential military applications, advanced sensing capabilities, autonomous operation, and ability to support coordinated activities across multiple aircraft.

The proposal would not apply to all drones. Exemptions would remain in place for products on the Department of Defense Blue UAS Cleared List, qualifying domestic products, equipment granted Conditional Approval by national security agencies, and certain categories of toy drones. The FCC also proposes to exclude equipment imported or marketed for federal government use, as well as products intended solely for commercial testing or product development activities.

In support of the proposal, the FCC cites prior national security determinations identifying risks related to surveillance, sensitive data collection, data exfiltration, and supply chain vulnerabilities associated with certain foreign-produced UAS. The Commission tentatively concludes that restricting future imports and marketing of military-grade Covered List equipment would serve the public interest by mitigating these risks while allowing continued operation of equipment already in service.

The FCC is proposing an 180-day implementation period following publication of any final decision in the Federal Register. During the comment period, the FCC is seeking input on national security considerations, economic impacts, supply chain effects, and whether the proposed definitions appropriately identify military-grade UAS and related components.

For manufacturers, importers, distributors, and certification stakeholders, this proceeding represents another significant development in the FCC's ongoing efforts to address national security concerns through the equipment authorization framework. Companies involved in the UAS sector should closely monitor the outcome of this proceeding and evaluate whether their products could fall within the scope of the proposed restrictions.

Stay ahead of evolving FCC requirements. If your company manufactures, imports, or certifies unmanned aircraft systems or related components, Nemko can help you understand how these proposed restrictions may affect your products and market access. Contact our experts to discuss your compliance strategy.