Policy & Regulation
Drone policy and regulation news from UASFeed — FAA rulemaking, BVLOS, Part 108, the DJI debate, export controls, and the rules shaping the uncrewed sky.
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Policy & Regulation
TSA Will Write Part 108's Security Rules Behind Closed Doors: Federal Register Notice Sets Up NDA-Only BVLOS Roundtables After the Rule Lands
TSA's Sept. 4 Federal Register notice invites BVLOS operators to NDA-gated, SSI-protected roundtables that will shape Part 108's security programs only after the final rule publishes, with no public comment and the FAA half still parked at OIRA.
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Policy & Regulation
UK Launches Project PANOPTES: A Race for an Ammo-Free, Laser-Armed Drone Swarm Killer
UK Defence Innovation has opened a £5 million competition for a laser-centered, highly autonomous counter-drone system meant to stop mass swarm attacks without burning through ammunition stockpiles.
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Policy & Regulation
DJI's SDR Transmission 2 Launches Worldwide — But the FCC's Covered List Keeps It Out of the US
DJI's upgraded 4K60 video link launched globally September 1, but American cinematographers can't buy it: the FCC added DJI to its Covered List in December 2025, blocking authorization for any new DJI communications gear entering the US market.
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Policy & Regulation
California's 400-Foot Drone Ban Near Concerts Heads to the Governor's Desk
California lawmakers gave final, unanimous approval to a bill banning unauthorized drone flights within 400 feet of large outdoor concerts and amusement parks, setting up a likely fight over whether states can regulate airspace the FAA hasn't touched.
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Policy & Regulation
USDOT Reopens Comment on $9M Drone Inspection Grant as States Tally DJI Ban Costs in the Hundreds of Millions
DOT's 60-day notice reopens paperwork review for its $9M Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Program just as states report 467 grounded or restricted drones and compliance costs that could reach $2 billion.
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Policy & Regulation
FCC Rejects Bids to Delay Comment Deadline on 'Military-Grade' Drone Import Ban
The FCC has denied three requests to extend the Sept. 2 comment deadline on a rule that could strip authorization from foreign drones with thermal cameras, LiDAR or docking stations — categories DJI says sweep up ordinary commercial models.
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Policy & Regulation
FAA Doubles Down on BEYOND, Pushing Drone Testing Into Longer, Higher, More Complex Airspace
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Phase 2 of the FAA's BEYOND program on August 27, doubling its lead-participant roster to test bigger cargo drones, longer BVLOS routes, and on-airport operations through 2029.
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Policy & Regulation
State Department Approves $364M APKWS II Sale to Italy for Eurofighter Counter-Drone Role
The US has cleared a $364 million sale of 5,031 APKWS II laser-guided rocket kits to Italy, arming Eurofighter Typhoons with a sub-$120,000 interceptor for the drone threat that costly air-to-air missiles were never built to answer.
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Policy & Regulation
FCC Opens Formal Comment Period on Banning Foreign 'Military-Grade' Drones Under NDAA Covered List
The FCC formally opened a 30-day comment window on banning sale and import of foreign UAS and components tied to its Covered List, with a disclosed May 2026 probe into US-based Anzu and warnings from DJI that farm drones could get caught in the net.
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Policy & Regulation
Taiwan's Legislature Finally Passes Its Drone Budget — NT$63.4 Billion, After a Record 266-Day Delay
After a record 266-day standoff, Taiwan's Legislative Yuan approved the full NT$63.4 billion drone industry package on August 13-14, reversing an earlier KMT push to slash the funding by 70%.
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Policy & Regulation
White House Imposes 100% Tariffs on Security-Sensitive Drone Imports
Trump's new proclamation sets a 100% tariff on large or thermal-equipped drones, 25% on smaller models, and preferential rates for allies — and drone stocks like Unusual Machines jumped on the news.
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Policy & Regulation
FCC Strips Approvals From Alleged DJI Front Company Odyssey Robot
The FCC issued its first-ever national-security revocation of drone equipment authorizations on August 11, pulling Odyssey Robot's approvals after its claimed Texas assembler denied any connection to the company.
