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A proposed restriction on previously authorized foreign drones could reach thermal imaging, LiDAR, docking stations and other technologies widely used in civilian operations. The national-security rationale is clear. The potential commercial consequences deserve equal scrutiny.
The Federal Communications Commission is considering another significant change to the rules governing foreign-produced drones in the United States — and this time, the implications could extend to aircraft and technologies already widely used by commercial operators.
On July 21, the FCC announced that it is seeking public comment on whether to prohibit the future importation, marketing and sale for non-federal use of certain previously authorized foreign-produced unmanned aircraft systems and critical components already on the agency’s Covered List.
The FCC describes the targeted equipment as foreign-produced, “military-grade” UAS presenting particular national-security risks.
But several of the categories under consideration are also common tools of the civilian commercial drone industry.
They include:
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