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We applaud the leadership of the Department of Commerce and the Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) in taking a key step to strengthen U.S. supply chain security.

The Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) program at Commerce has issued a final ICTS rule, which replaces an interim rule that has been in effect since January 2021. The final rule establishes the procedures our office will use to review particular entities and their ICTS transactions.

Experts Urge Action to Close Gaps in Airspace Awareness and Empower Local Law Enforcement

There are more than one million drones lawfully registered with the FAA in the United States and there are thousands of commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones lawfully in the sky on any given day. With the technology landscape evolving, we expect that number to increase over time.

New language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) gives U.S. agencies one year to assess security risks of Chinese drones, but the clock is ticking—and the outcome remains uncertain.  

The FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference text has been released.  The text includes critical language aimed at addressing potential national security risks posed by Chinese-made drones.

AUVSI and members of our Air Advocacy Committee met with the White House's Office of Management and Budget to urge advancement of the draft Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) safety rule. Matt Sloane, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at SkyfireAI, participated in this week's meeting for organizations focused on public safety / law enforcement / physical security.

If you are considering a drone as a holiday gift, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants you and your loved ones to understand how to fly it safely.  The FAA is again launching its 12 Days of Drones campaign to educate people about the rules, regulations and best practices of operating a drone.  

Texas public schools could be guarded by drones armed with pepper spray or Tasers under a new bill filed in the Texas Legislature meant to beef up school security. The measure would boost funding for safety upgrades and let schools deploy drones in place of the armed guards that lawmakers required on every campus in response to the Uvalde school shooting.

How drones used for criminal activity are driving bipartisan calls for expanded detection and mitigation powers.

While understanding the basics of established FAA regulatory frameworks is important you don't need to be a regulatory expert to get started. With the right support, anyone can quickly bring drones into their operations.

A draft rule for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, currently under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), could unlock the scalability of critical drone applications when passed. Yet, with deadlines looming, industry leaders stress the urgency of publishing the rule before potential political shifts in early 2025.

Navigating Domestic Manufacturing, Chinese Imports, and Integration Programs in a New Era. Trump's previous policies and plans may shed some light on future developments for drones in the U.S.

With the growing number of incidents involving drone flying where and when they shouldn't, local law enforcement agencies and drone security companies are lobbying Congress to pass legislation that would extend the authority to conduct counter-drone measures – currently held by a handful of select federal agencies – to local-level police officials.

Ongoing research will help the FAA develop a consistent framework for assessing and integrating these new technologies, enabling strategic planning and data-driven decision-making for future rulemaking, policy, certification, and operational considerations.

Angela McCullough, Deputy Executive Director of the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office, highlighted the FAA's current achievements and future aspirations in integrating drones into the National Airspace System (NAS).

We applaud the FAA for issuing the regulation in compliance with Congressionally mandated timelines and making changes from the draft rule to the final rule that ensure the U.S. will maintain global leadership in this critical segment of advanced aviation.

Forum will bring together local government leaders to provide timely and strategic advice to the federal government and aviation industry on efforts to integrate advanced air mobility (AAM) like air taxis and drones into U.S. airspace and communities across the country

Industry Leaders React to New Pilot and Operational Standards as the U.S. Takes a Critical Step Toward Scaling eVTOL and AAM Innovations

Powered lift operations include air taxis, cargo delivery and a variety of operations within urban and rural areas.   
The agency today issued a final rule for the qualifications and training that instructors and pilots must have to fly aircraft in this "powered-lift" category, which have characteristics of both airplanes and helicopters.

Reuters reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is blocking the import of some DJI drones, citing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).

The intent of this question is meant to promote a healthy conversation within our industry about the existing regulatory approach. There are important distinctions between drones and traditional aircraft like the Boeing 737, where the pace of innovation and the underlying technology are vastly different.

Insights into the broader implications of foreign-made drones, particularly those produced by companies identified as national security risks, and argues for a more robust investment in U.S. drone manufacturing to safeguard the industry and national security.

Since FY 2020, Interior has been revising its policies to restrict the purchase and use of certain foreign-made drones due to potential security risks. Today, Interior is allowed to use them, but generally still isn't allowed to buy more of them.

Although the Countering CCP Drones Act received bipartisan support in the US House, there are many companies, organizations, and industry leaders who oppose the bill. Arguments against the bill include fears that the bill will slow overall growth in the US drone industry and increase costs to companies and public organizations looking to add uncrewed systems to their operations.

AUVSI Submits Comments to the House Armed Services Committee on Strengthening the Defense Industrial Base.
Key Focus on Supporting Autonomous Systems and U.S. Navy Readiness.

Congress Members Send Letter to USDA and CISA: DJI Responds to Growing National Security Concerns

FAA Provides Key Updates on Drone Policy at Commercial UAV Expo 2024

New Regulations Enable Safer and More Reliable Drone Operations in National Airspace

Georgia's Department of Corrections is grappling with a significant challenge as drones increasingly smuggle contraband into state prisons.

The trial involves three competing drone parcel delivery providers, including DroneUp, all operating in the same crowded airspace. This scenario aims to test how drone deliveries can be managed at scale.

The Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) has announced that its Executive Director, Lisa Ellman, has been appointed to the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC).

At the DRONERESPONDERS Georgia Public Safety Drone Summit, a session addressed the growing concern of unauthorized or rogue drones. The discussion centered on what law enforcement agencies can do when faced with community complaints about drones involved in illegal activitie

An Op-Ed by industry thought leader Dawn Zoldi on the conversations and results from the recent FAA Drone and AAM Symposium.

FAA's Deputy Administrator Outlines Timeline for BVLOS Rulemaking and Plans for Drone and AAM Integration into National Airspace

The FAA has authorized multiple operators to fly commercial drones without visual observers in the same airspace.

DIU Blue sUAS program manager Trent Emeneker said that users in the field would provide feedback on what does – and does not – work for them.  That feedback will provide the basis for the competitive refresh of the list.

Agricultural Spray Distributors Form Grassroots Group to Oppose Proposed Chinese Drone Ban

Michael Robbins, President & CEO of AUVSI, recently testified before the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Aviation highlighting the critical role of regulatory frameworks and education in advancing the drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industries.

The NDAA is also a critical piece of legislation for the drone industry, directing funding and focus for the development and use of both military and dual-use drone technology.

Commercial drone industry leaders have been speaking out about the legislation, and news outlets have detailed the ways that government officials, business advocacy groups, and others are preparing for what could be a dramatically altered business environment for the drone industry.

North Carolina General Assembly has passed House Bill 198, effectively removing the requirement for a state uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) operator knowledge test and permit.

Letter to Law Enforcemnt Drone Association Membership regarding DJI ban legislation

Chairs of Homeland Security and Energy and Commerce Committees Urge DHS and DOE to Release Information on Potential Threats

While the author examined data for the state of Texas, the data reflects trends found throughout the country.

A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would extend the authority of the DHS and the DOJ to mitigate threats from errant unmanned aerial systems, while also granting the FAA additional counter-UAS power.

NDAA FY25 Passed House Friday, June 14 by Narrow Margin: What's Happening with the Countering CCP Drones Act Now?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have pledged to work together to meet the challenges of a fast-changing and evolving aviation industry and the increasing speed of development of future technologies.

Letter to Senate Armed Services Committee highlights severe impact on public safety operations

We recommended, among other things, that FAA help tribal, state, and local law enforcement understand how to use Remote ID to help with drone investigations.