FCC asks on drone rules

The FCC filed Public Notice DA 26-314 opening GN Docket No. 26-74 and tying the action to WT Docket Nos. 22-323 and 24-629, with an initial comment deadline of May 1, 2026 and a reply-comment deadline of May 18, 2026. (docs.fcc.gov (docs.fcc.gov)) The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology ask stakeholders to comment on easing device certification and siting requirements, ensuring spectrum access for testing and operations, facilitating private investment, and creating regulatory clarity for U.S. manufacturers and trusted suppliers. (docs.fcc.gov (docs.fcc.gov)) The notice explicitly ties the proceeding to two Executive Orders—Unleashing American Drone Dominance (EO 14307) and Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty (EO 14305)—and follows the FCC’s December 22, 2025 Covered List expansion that blocks new equipment authorization for foreign-produced UAS and critical components. (docs.fcc.gov (docs.fcc.gov)) Industry lobbying accelerated this week when the Commercial Drone Alliance published a white paper on March 31 that urges a “whole-of-government” strategy and lays out six policy priorities including financing domestic production, strengthening the demand signal for U.S. manufacturers, and reducing regulatory barriers. (commercialdronealliance.org (commercialdronealliance.org)) Chairman Brendan Carr accompanied Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf and COO Matt Grimm to a Texas test site immediately before the public notice, a visit the FCC described as part of its effort to work “closely with U.S. drone companies” on demonstrations of drone and counter‑drone technologies. (docs.fcc.gov (docs.fcc.gov)) Stakeholders and trade press note the agency is weighing concrete changes such as designated testing or “innovation” zones and whether to move drones off crowded unlicensed bands (2.4/5.8 GHz) toward licensed spectrum or new band allocations to improve reliability. (dronelife.com (dronelife.com)) European regulators continue to face application‑specific hurdles — Euronews reports that EU rules and pesticide approvals make agricultural drone spraying heavily member‑state‑specific and slow commercial rollout, a contrast industry groups cite as part of the U.S. opportunity. (euronews.com (euronews.com))