New FCC filings highlight company-specific national security concerns alongside broader supply chain risks behind the original Covered List decision. Senator Rick Scott has challenged arguments from DJI and Autel Robotics against their inclusion on the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Covered List. In an October 14 letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Scott cited … [Read more...] about Senator Cites Classified Security Findings in Defense of DJI and Autel Restrictions
Drone Policy
Guest Post: Why Drones May Change How We Operate in the Atmosphere
Commercial drones have made their name by observing the world below. Now a new class of missions is moving the aircraft up into the atmosphere itself. The Utah Division of Water Resources is exploring drone-based cloud seeding to replace the crewed aircraft it tested from 2022 to 2025. That puts unmanned aircraft at the meeting point of aviation, meteorology, autonomy and water … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Why Drones May Change How We Operate in the Atmosphere
TSA Seeks Drone Industry Input on Security Requirements for Part 108 BVLOS Operations
Technical roundtables will examine how existing BVLOS security practices could help operators comply with new requirements For years, the drone industry’s central question about beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations has been: How do I get permission to fly? Part 108 changes the question. Once routine BVLOS operations become available, operators will increasingly need … [Read more...] about TSA Seeks Drone Industry Input on Security Requirements for Part 108 BVLOS Operations
FCC Grants Conditional Approval for Ascento UAS
Ascento Guard Dori USA v1 joins a growing list of UAS exempted from the FCC Covered List through the federal Conditional Approval process. The Federal Communications Commission has updated its Covered List to exempt another uncrewed aircraft system following a Conditional Approval from the Department of War. In an August 21 Public Notice, the FCC said DoW granted Conditional … [Read more...] about FCC Grants Conditional Approval for Ascento UAS
AUVSI Names Heather Lee Acting President and CEO as Michael Robbins Plans Departure
Robbins will leave AUVSI on September 30 to lead the Semiconductor Industry Association; the AUVSI Board has launched a search for a permanent successor. The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has announced a leadership transition effective this fall. President and CEO Michael Robbins will leave the organization on September 30, 2026. Chief … [Read more...] about AUVSI Names Heather Lee Acting President and CEO as Michael Robbins Plans Departure
