Protect Your Drone Operations

FCC comments are due September 2, 2026. The proposal could affect future access to replacement aircraft, payloads, sensors, docks, controllers, and other critical components.

COPY COMMENT TEMPLATE

FILE WITH THE FCC

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT

1. Go to the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System:

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs

2. Select the option to submit a filing.

3. Enter: PS Docket No. 26-189

4. Enter your name and organization, if applicable.

5. Paste your personalized comment into the filing form or upload it as a Word or PDF document.

6. Review your submission and file it no later than:

September 2, 2026

7. Save your filing confirmation for your records.

The FCC is considering a proposal that could restrict the future importation and marketing of certain foreign-produced drones and critical UAS components.

The proposal includes broad categories that could affect commercial and public-sector drone operators, including:

• LiDAR systems

• Thermal imaging

• Autonomous drone docks

• Agricultural dispensing systems

• Drones weighing 55 lbs. or more

• Certain payloads, sensors, controllers and other UAS components

Important

This is not currently a final ban.

The proposal would not prohibit you from continuing to operate equipment you already own.

However, if adopted, it could significantly affect future access to replacement aircraft, payloads, cameras, sensors, controllers, docking systems and other critical components.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

The FCC is asking drone operators, businesses, agencies, manufacturers, distributors and other affected organizations to explain how the proposal could impact them.

A useful comment does not need to be long.

The most important thing is to explain what your organization actually uses, what you use it for, and what would happen if replacement equipment became difficult or impossible to obtain.

DEADLINE

September 2, 2026

FCC Proceeding: PS Docket No. 26-189

IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE

FCC filings are generally public.

Do not include confidential customer information, security-sensitive facility details, proprietary information, controlled information, or personal information you do not want made public.

5 THINGS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR COMMENT

Focus on real information from your organization.

1. What do you use drones for?

Briefly explain your work.

Examples may include:

• Public safety

• Utility inspection

• Surveying and mapping

• Construction

• Energy

• Infrastructure inspection

• Agriculture

• Environmental compliance

• Emergency response

2. What equipment do you rely on?

Identify the equipment that matters to your operation, such as:

• Aircraft

• LiDAR payloads

• Thermal cameras

• Other sensors

• Drone docks

• Controllers

• Batteries

• Replacement components

If you use LiDAR, explain what it actually does.

For example, whether it is used for obstacle avoidance, surveying, terrain mapping, stockpile measurement, construction documentation or infrastructure inspection.

3. How much have you invested?

Give a reasonable estimate of your total investment where possible.

Consider:

• Aircraft

• Payloads

• Sensors

• Docks

• Software

• Training

• Integration

• Batteries

• Controllers

• Support equipment

4. Are realistic alternatives available?

Explain whether another system could actually replace what you use today.

Consider:

• Capability

• Availability

• Compatibility

• Payload support

• Software

• Training

• Integration

• Cost

• Transition time

5. What happens if replacement equipment becomes unavailable?

Explain the real operational consequences.

For example:

• Aircraft downtime

• Projects delayed

• Increased operating costs

• Lost contracts

• Reduced public-safety capability

• Inability to replace damaged equipment

• Retraining employees

• Replacing software or payload systems

• Rebuilding an entire drone program

COPY AND PERSONALIZE THIS COMMENT TEMPLATE

Copy the text below and replace the bracketed sections with information about your organization.

BEFORE THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

PS Docket No. 26-189

I respectfully submit these comments regarding the FCC proposal concerning the continued importation and marketing of certain previously authorized foreign-produced UAS and UAS critical components.

My name is [NAME], and I am [TITLE / ROLE] with [ORGANIZATION].

Our organization uses professional drone systems for [DESCRIBE YOUR WORK OR MISSION].

Our equipment includes [LIST IMPORTANT AIRCRAFT, PAYLOADS, SENSORS, DOCKS OR OTHER EQUIPMENT].

We use this equipment for civilian commercial or public-service purposes, including [DESCRIBE SPECIFIC USES].

For example, [DESCRIBE ONE OR TWO REAL PROJECTS OR OPERATIONS].

Our organization has invested approximately [$ AMOUNT OR RANGE] in aircraft, payloads, software, training, batteries, controllers, docking systems, integration and supporting equipment.

If replacement aircraft or critical components became unavailable, it would affect our organization by [DESCRIBE THE OPERATIONAL OR FINANCIAL IMPACT].

A functionally equivalent domestic or otherwise exempt alternative [DOES NOT CURRENTLY EXIST / IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE QUANTITIES WE REQUIRE / WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $___ / DOES NOT PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING CAPABILITIES: ___].

Changing systems would involve more than simply purchasing another aircraft. We would also need to replace or change [PAYLOADS, BATTERIES, CONTROLLERS, DOCKS, SOFTWARE, TRAINING, PROCEDURES, INTEGRATION OR OTHER ITEMS].

I support appropriate measures addressing genuine cybersecurity, data-security, supply-chain and national-security risks.

However, commercial technologies should be evaluated based on their actual capabilities and intended use.

In particular, ordinary commercial LiDAR, obstacle-avoidance sensors and civilian mapping equipment should not automatically be classified as military-grade simply because they use LiDAR technology.

I respectfully ask the Commission to:

1. Use objective capability and intended-use standards when defining military-grade equipment.

2. Protect ordinary obstacle-avoidance and flight-safety sensors.

3. Protect legitimate commercial survey and mapping LiDAR.

4. Protect replacement, repair and service support for previously authorized systems already owned by U.S. users.

5. Protect existing inventory and contractual commitments.

6. Consider whether alternative systems are genuinely available, functionally equivalent and economically realistic.

7. Provide a realistic transition period if broad restrictions are adopted.

This proposal could have a substantial impact on [MY ORGANIZATION / OUR EMPLOYEES / OUR CUSTOMERS / THE PUBLIC WE SERVE].

I respectfully ask the Commission to consider the real-world impact on organizations that invested in previously authorized professional drone equipment in good faith.

Respectfully submitted,

[NAME]

[TITLE / ORGANIZATION]

[CITY AND STATE]

[DATE]

SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT

Deadline: September 2, 2026

Proceeding: PS Docket No. 26-189

File at: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs

Drones Plus Robotics will also be submitting comments to the FCC.

We encourage every affected drone operator, business and agency to make its experience heard.