Router Drone Conditional Approvals

The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) updates the Covered List to exempt specified routers and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical components covered by Department of War (DoW) Conditional Approvals.

What it does PSHSB finds that the listed Conditional Approvals are “a specific determination” that the identified devices do not pose unacceptable risks to U.S. national security, and therefore removes those devices from the Covered List. The April 14, 2026 approvals cover Sees.ai’s v.USA. 1.0 UAS; Netgear, Inc.’s identified Nighthawk, Orbi, cable gateway, and cable modem series; and Adtran Inc.’s Service Delivery Gateway class routers. The appended approval table also records earlier approvals for SiFly Aviation, Mobilicom, ScoutDI, and Verge UAS products.

Who it affects The update affects manufacturers and suppliers of the identified foreign-produced routers, UAS, and UAS critical components, as well as equipment authorization applicants, testing laboratories, and telecommunications certification bodies. It also guides FCC staff and regulated parties applying the Covered List rules.

Why it matters The notice demonstrates how Executive Branch national-security determinations and DoW or DHS Conditional Approvals alter the scope of the FCC Covered List. It provides a limited exemption rather than a general authorization for foreign-produced routers or UAS, and makes the exemptions time-limited.

Key dates and numbers

• Released April 14, 2026; DA 26-351.
• Relevant proceedings: WC Docket No. 18-89, ET Docket No. 21-232, and EA Docket No. 21-233.
• Sees.ai UAS approval terminates December 31, 2026; Netgear and Adtran approvals terminate October 1, 2027.
• The Covered List was updated for foreign-produced routers on March 23, 2026, and for certain UAS approvals on March 18, 2026.