On April 1, 2026, the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology released a public notice calling for feedback on steps the Commission should take to strengthen US leadership in drone manufacturing technology and use.
Chairman Carr called this public notice the next major step in efforts to promote US drone leadership by cutting red tape, modernizing obsolete regulations, and securing a domestic drone supply chain. The agencies are seeking input on freeing up spectrum for drones, updating the licensing framework, supporting drone and anti-drone system testing, and other areas to reduce bureaucracy and accelerate improvements in this field.
Comments are due by May 1, 2026, with reply comments due by May 18, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- WTB and OET framed the public notice as supporting the commission’s ongoing work aligned with the American drone dominance agenda
- The public notice aims to collect information on various drone-related topics that could inform future FCC actions without setting a fixed regulatory path.
- It examines whether existing spectrum is suitable for drones and explores drone access to other spectrum bands, including those for licensed mobile services.
- WTB and OET are also seeking feedback on how to make it easier to develop and deploy drones by changing the commission’s experimental licensing process, possibly by adding a special drone license category.
- The focus on cutting red tape in processes, allowing greater flexibility in spectrum use, and using market-based approaches aligns with the direction of other recent actions by the commission and its bureaus.
Background
WTB and OET state that the public notice supports the Commission’s efforts in line with recent executive orders to accelerate US drone commercialization, encourage domestic manufacturing, broaden drone access to spectrum for advanced operations, and restrict foreign drone use in sensitive areas.
In December 2025, the FCC restricted the import, sale, and marketing of certain foreign-made drones and components identified as security risks. The commission later provided conditional approvals for four drone devices found to cause no unacceptable risk after further review.
The public notice also emphasizes the need to work with other federal agencies, including the FAA, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and national security agencies. This coordination helps ensure that communications policies support the administration’s broader goal of safely integrating drones into US airspace. These efforts include joining a multi-agency group focused on developing and launching advanced air mobility (AAM) technologies, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, in the United States.
Increasing Spectrum Access for UAS
The public notice seeks broad comment on any and all non-federal frequency resources that commenters believe are necessary to further America’s UAS leadership role. Specific areas of inquiry include:
- Unlicensed spectrum: WTB and OET note that most drones use unlicensed spectrum (902–928 megahertz, 2400–2500 megahertz, 5000-5725 megahertz, and 5725-5875 megahertz) and ask if these bands remain suitable.
- Opening licensed spectrum for UAS operations: The public notice asks whether drones should operate in more of the spectrum used for licensed mobile broadband, focusing on bands such as CBRS and the 3.7 gigahertz service, where aeronautical mobile use is currently barred.
- Accelerating UAS development in the 5,030-5,091 MHz band: The public notice seeks input on speeding up the rollout of rules adopted in 2024
- Additional comment on open proceedings: WTB and OET ask commenters to update the records on unresolved issues from the 2023 UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including drone access to the 960-1164 MHz band. They also invite feedback on other pending requests to open additional drone bands.
- Supporting interagency efforts: WTB and OET seek feedback on how the commission can support interagency efforts on drones and anti-drone systems. This includes setting up the National Training Center for Counter UAS Systems and working with third parties on air traffic management and surveillance.
Streamlining UAS Licensing
The public notice also requests input on ways to update the commission’s experimental licensing process for drone development and testing. WTB and OET note that the current system may be slow and limited in scope, especially for technologies that use multiple bands, support mobile operations, or enable BVLOS communications. To fix this, they are considering a dedicated experimental license for drones with longer terms, broader coverage, and faster renewal terms. They also want feedback on tiered licensing, pre-cleared test corridors, blanket authorizations, and modular licensing based on approved spectrum bands and use cases to speed up testing while still preventing interference. Finally, the public notice asks whether the current Part 5 rules, which limit counter UAS to research and development rather than operational use, are holding back the commercial development of anti-drone systems.
Establishing Test Beds and Innovation Zones for UAS Operations
WTB and OET are also asking whether and how to expand the Commission’s Innovation Zone program to support large-scale drone testing. Innovation Zones allow qualified licensees to test new technologies in a controlled environment. The public notice specifically seeks feedback on whether the AERPAW testbed at North Carolina State University has provided sufficient capacity and flexibility for large-scale drone development. In addition, if additional input is needed, WTB and OET are open to ideas for new testbeds, including those for commercial or defense use, maritime areas, or low-population regions where interference is less likely.
Other Areas of Inquiry
The public notice also requests feedback on several related efforts to update UAS regulations and accelerate drone deployment. These include:
- Clarifying the permissible applications of counter UAS technologies, including any barriers to counter UAS deployment, including 47 USC 333’s statutory prohibition on willful or malicious interference
- Making spectrum coordination and notification requirements simpler since current rules may limit UAS and counter-UAS operations.
- Offering market-based incentives to make it easier for UAS operations or aerial testing to access the spectrum
- Ways the FCC can encourage state and local law enforcement to use US-made UAS, such as publishing a list of trusted drones, offering public safety guidance, or using its private sector connections to promote US-made drones
- Considering that the FCC should set up a central resource to help operators understand UAS regulatory requirements
- How the agency can help develop the workforce needed to grow the US drone industry
Impact Concerning Next Steps
By requesting input on these UAS and counter-UAS topics, WTB and OET aim to build a strong record that could help guide future commission goals or actions to accelerate drone deployment and support the US drone industry. However, the public notice does not mean the FCC has chosen any particular regulatory path. Any changes to FCC rules would still require more action from the commission.
To have your organization’s perspectives considered, review the public notice and submit your comments to the FCC by the designated deadline. Companies interested in expanding drone use, including those focused on spectrum access, interference, domestic manufacturing, safety, labor, surveillance, noise, wildlife protection, or agricultural technology, are encouraged to participate in this process. Licensees and operators in spectrum bands that might be used for future UAS deployment should also provide feedback, ensuring their views are part of the discussion.
Source: FCC Releases Public Notice Seeking Comment on “Unleashing American Drone Dominance”
