The drone technology your organization relies on today could become harder to access tomorrow.

The FCC is considering new restrictions affecting certain foreign-produced drones and related technologies. For organizations already using these systems, the implications could extend well beyond future purchases.

No final decision has been made. But the window to tell the FCC what these potential restrictions could mean for your operations is open right now.

Comments are due September 2, 2026.

MAKE YOUR VOICE COUNT

  • Types of aircraft that would be impacted by the ruling:

  • Thermal imaging platforms

    Matrice 30T, Matrice 300/350 RTK with thermal payloads (H20T/H30T/H20N, etc.), and Matrice 4T

  • All Dock systems and dedicated aircraft

    Dock 2 + Matrice 3D/3TD, and Dock 3 + Matrice 4D/4TD

  • LiDAR platforms

    Matrice 400 configured with Zenmuse L3

  • All Agras agricultural spraying models

    T50, T55, T70, T100

  • Heavy platforms (≥55 lb / 25 kg at takeoff)

    FlyCart series and any Matrice or enterprise configurations that exceed the weight threshold.

FCC Proceeding 26-189

Want to understand the proposal first? Read our complete FCC proposal guide.

What's at Stake?

If Access Changes, Your Operations May Have to Change With It.

Enterprise drone programs aren't built around an aircraft alone.

Organizations invest in complete operational ecosystems: aircraft, payloads, software, accessories, replacement parts, training, workflows, personnel, and supporting infrastructure.

If future access to certain technologies becomes restricted, organizations may need to answer difficult questions:

  • Can existing aircraft be replaced when needed?
  • Will critical parts and components remain available?
  • Can alternative platforms meet the same mission requirements?
  • What would transitioning a fleet cost?
  • How long would procurement, integration, and retraining take?
  • What happens to operations during that transition?

For public safety agencies, utilities, infrastructure teams, surveyors, agricultural operators, and other enterprise programs, these aren't theoretical questions.

They can affect budgets, readiness, response capability, and day-to-day operations.

The FCC needs to understand those real-world implications before determining its next steps.

The FCC Needs to Hear From the People Actually Using This Technology.

Regulatory decisions can look very different from the field.

You know what your aircraft supports. You know what your organization has invested. And you know what replacing that capability could involve.

That operational experience can help give the FCC a clearer picture of what potential restrictions could mean in practice.

You don't need to be a policy expert.

You don't need to write a legal brief.

Tell the FCC what you know firsthand.

What should you include?

  • 01 | WHAT DO YOU OPERATE?

    Aircraft, payloads, fleet size, software, and related systems.

  • 02 | WHAT MISSIONS DEPEND ON IT?

    Explain how the technology supports your actual operations.

  • 03 | SHARE A REAL EXAMPLE.

    A response, inspection, search, survey, application, or other mission.

  • 04 | WHAT HAPPENS IF ACCESS CHANGES?

    Explain the potential impact on replacements, parts, costs, downtime, training, or mission capability.

  • 05 | WHAT ALTERNATIVES HAVE YOU EVALUATED?

    Consider capability, cost, availability, lead time, and operational fit.

  • 06 | WHAT SHOULD THE FCC CONSIDER?

    Tell regulators what you believe they need to understand before making a final decision.

Make the impact real.

Where possible, include specifics:

Fleet size • Replacement costs • Vendor quotes • Lead times • Training investments • Acres covered • Miles inspected • Response times

Your experience. Your numbers. Your operations.

Specific, first-hand information can provide more useful context than a generic response. 

  • EXPRESS COMMENT


    ✅ Best for most commenters
    Enter your response directly into the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System.

    ⏱️ About 10 minutes

    FILE AN EXPRESS COMMENT 

  • STANDARD FILING


    ✅ Submitting on behalf of an agency or company?

    Upload a prepared document, such as a signed letter on organizational letterhead.

    SUBMIT A STANDARD FILING 

Before You Submit:

✓ Select FCC Proceeding 26-189
✓ Use your work address, not your home address
✓ Keep confidential or private information out of your filing
✓ Write your response in your own words
✓ Review your information carefully
✓ Save your confirmation number

THE PUBLIC COMMENT WINDOW CLOSES SEPTEMBER 2.

If this could affect your operations, don't stay out of the conversation.

Once the comment period closes, the opportunity to put your organization's experience into this stage of the FCC record closes with it.

If your organization relies on technology that could be affected, tell the FCC what those systems support and what losing future access could mean.

Don't assume regulators already know.

Tell them.

Make your voice count before September 2.

FCC Express Comment FormFCC Standard Filing Form

Need more information before you comment?

Read our complete guide to the FCC proposal, what it could mean for drone operators, and the public comment process.

READ THE DSLRPROS FCC PROPOSAL GUIDE