The Federal Communications Commission has updated its Covered List to remove four uncrewed aircraft systems determined by the Department of War to not pose national security risks.The four systems removed from the list are the SiFly Aviation Q12, the Mobilicom SkyHopper Series and associated components, the ScoutDI Scout 137 and the Verge X1.Last year, following an interagency determination of unacceptable national security risks, the FCC added all UAS and UAS critical components produced in foreign countries to the Covered List, blocking approval for the import or sale of new models in the United States. In January, the Department of War determined that three categories of UAS and components do not pose such risks through Jan. 1, 2027: those included on the department's Blue UAS Cleared List, those qualifying as domestic end products under the Buy American Standard, and those receiving Conditional Approval.The FCC received its first batch of Conditional Approvals March 18 and updated the Covered List to exempt devices granted that status. Conditional Approvals will be listed and continually updated on the FCC's website.Entities seeking individual Conditional Approvals for covered UAS or UAS critical components should submit required information to <a href="mailto:drones@fcc.gov">drones@fcc.gov</a>, where requests will be forwarded to the Department of War and the Department of Homeland Security for determination.

large_Untitled design(97).png

medium_Untitled design(97).png

small_Untitled design(97).png

thumbnail_Untitled design(97).png

Untitled design(97).png

The FCC has updated its Covered List to exempt four uncrewed aircraft systems — from SiFly Aviation, Mobilicom, ScoutDI and Verge — after the Department of War determined they pose no national security risk. The move marks the first batch of Conditional Approvals under a January determination that established three pathways for foreign-produced drone systems to operate outside the Covered List's restrictions through Jan. 1, 2027.

FCC exempts first batch of trusted drones following Department of War determination

Related Stories

Space force leader visits Grand Forks as $250M Operations Center Planned

Insitu's UAS selected by U.S. Navy for ISR services with advanced AI payloads

UAS Magazine Announces 2026 UAS Summit & Expo Dates and Call for Abstracts

Army awards AeroVironment production contract for long-range reconnaissance drone systems

AV acquires Empirical Systems Aerospace Inc.

Upcoming Events

UAS Summit & Expo

FCC exempts first batch of trusted drones following Department of War determination.css-7jxktu{position:absolute;bottom:0px;left:0px;right:0px;height:3px;border-radius:3px;background-color:var(--chakra-colors-brandBlack);}