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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken a significant step to reinforce U.S. airspace sovereignty and national security by expanding its Covered List to include foreign-manufactured Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and critical drone components.
The move follows a national security determination by a White House–convened interagency group, which concluded that certain foreign-made drones and associated technologies pose unacceptable risks to U.S. communications infrastructure, public safety, and defense operations.
By adding foreign-made drones and components to the Covered List, the FCC effectively prevents new equipment authorizations for affected systems. Without FCC authorization, such drones cannot be legally imported, marketed, or sold in the United States going forward.
The decision reflects growing concerns over the potential for unauthorized surveillance, data exfiltration, signal interference, and malicious disruption, particularly in sensitive or contested environments. These risks are especially relevant to military installations, critical infrastructure, and large-scale public events.
Importantly, the FCC has clarified that the action does not retroactively ban existing, previously authorized drones. Systems already approved and in operation within the U.S. may continue to be used, though future support, upgrades, or replacement platforms could be impacted.
For defense organizations, homeland security agencies, and law enforcement operators, the FCC’s action reinforces an ongoing shift toward trusted, secure, and domestically aligned UAS supply chains. The restriction is expected to accelerate adoption of U.S.-manufactured and allied-nation drone systems, particularly for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), border security, and counter-UAS missions.
The ruling also aligns with broader Department of Defense initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on foreign-origin technologies in mission-critical systems, while supporting the growth of the domestic unmanned systems industrial base.
The FCC’s announcement comes as the United States prepares to host major international events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, where airspace security will be under intense scrutiny. The increasing availability of low-cost, networked drones has heightened concerns over their potential misuse for surveillance, disruption, or attack.
Chairman Carr issued the following statement, “I welcome this Executive Branch national security determination, and I am pleased that the FCC has now added foreign drones and related components, which pose an unacceptable national security risk, to the FCC’s Covered List. Following President Trump’s leadership, the FCC will work closely with U.S. drone makers to unleash American drone dominance.”
By limiting future access to foreign-manufactured UAS platforms, the FCC aims to reduce vulnerabilities in the national airspace and communications ecosystem during such high-profile events. Read the FCC FACT SHEET issued December 22nd, 2025.
