Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain: Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Published Date: 1/3/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Commerce wants your thoughts on new rules to keep drones and their tech safe from risky foreign control. This affects companies making or using drone parts linked to certain foreign groups and aims to protect U.S. security. Comments are open until March 4, 2025, so speak up now before any new rules roll out!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Possible Prohibitions on Certain Drone Transactions
The Department of Commerce is considering rules that could prohibit transactions involving information and communications technology and services (ICTS) integral to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) when those ICTS are designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of listed foreign adversaries. The ANPRM notes the foreign adversary list in 15 CFR 791.4 (including China, the People’s Republic of China including Hong Kong, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and the Maduro regime of Venezuela) and states China-based products make up at least 75 percent of the UAS consumer market in the United States. Comments are due March 4, 2025.
Path to Authorization via Mitigation Measures
BIS is asking whether it should create a process for the public to request specific authorization to engage in transactions involving foreign-adversary ICTS integral to UAS by demonstrating that the parties have implemented measures to mitigate national security or safety risks. The ANPRM seeks input on what mitigation measures (for example, design requirements, cybersecurity controls, or manufacturing integrity) would be acceptable for such authorizations. Comments must be submitted by March 4, 2025.
Specific UAS Components May Be Covered
The ANPRM identifies specific UAS components that could be included in any rule, such as onboard computers, communications systems (flight controllers, transceivers, GNSS sensors), flight control systems and sensors, ground control stations, operating and mission-planning software, intelligent batteries, local and external data storage, and AI software or applications. BIS requests comment on these components and whether they should be treated as integral ICTS for regulation. Comments are due by March 4, 2025.
Potential New Design and Cybersecurity Requirements
BIS is considering mitigation options that could include design requirements, machine-learning controls, implementation standards and protocols, cybersecurity firmware or software inputs, and manufacturing integrity and protection procedures for UAS ICTS. The ANPRM asks for comments on these kinds of measures and how they might be implemented. Submit comments by March 4, 2025.
Regulation Triggered by Nexus to Listed Foreign Adversaries
Any BIS regulation contemplated in this ANPRM would apply only when transactions have a sufficient nexus to persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of foreign adversaries listed in 15 CFR 791.4 (for example, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and the Maduro regime of Venezuela). BIS is seeking comment on which countries and entities present similar risks. Comments are due March 4, 2025.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17767, Promoting Telehealth in Rural America
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comments on the scope of the similar service and rural area comparability requirements, comments on possible improvements to, or replacements of, our existing cost study method of determining rural telecommunications rates, comments on possible methods of promoting the use of lower-cost technologies intended to provide backup services, comments on a proposal to establish an eligible services list for the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program, comments on whether to adopt performance metrics to expedite the processing of RHC Program funding requests, and comments on whether to eliminate the approval requirement of evergreen contracts and an annual report requirement.
2026-17761, Maximizing Efficiencies in Universal Service Administration
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks to improve the administration of the Universal Service Fund (USF or Fund) by seeking comment on four areas related to USF administration: current USF administration processes, i.e., the processes used by Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to administer the USF and the Commission's oversight of those processes; the structure of USF administration, that is, USAC's role and responsibilities related to USF administration; operating costs associated with USF administration; and the impact of USAC's Board of Directors on USF administration.
2026-17764, Section 898(c) Transition Rule for Allocating Foreign Taxes and Section 960(d)(4) Foreign Tax Credit Disallowance; Correction
The IRS fixed some details in their new rules about how foreign taxes are handled for certain companies, especially after a tax deferral option was removed. If you deal with foreign tax credits or earnings from foreign companies, these changes could affect your tax filings. Comments on these updates are open until September 17, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
2026-17774, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Seeks To Dismiss Twenty-Four Mooted or Outdated Petitions
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks to assess the continuing interest in certain petitions that were filed between 2003 and 2023. The Commission plans to dismiss the petitions with prejudice unless a petitioner or other interested party files a letter in the relevant docket specifying that it objects to the dismissal of the petition and the reason for such objection.
2026-17655, Passports: Expanding Online Passport Renewal Overseas
The Department proposes to amend 22 CFR 51.21 by consolidating requirements for persons applying by mail and online in the United States and overseas. This proposed change includes expanding online passport application availability to qualified applicants located in foreign countries. In addition, the Department is proposing to remove the requirement that an applicant's most recently issued passport must have a year or less of remaining validity to qualify to submit an online passport application. Finally, the Department is proposing technical corrections to 51.8(b) to change "on-line" to read "online" for consistency.
2026-17609, Airworthiness Directives; Embraer S.A. Airplanes
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model EMB-545 and EMB-550 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the possibility of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) compartment door seal peeling off and becoming entangled with the RAT rotor. This proposed AD would require replacement of the RAT compartment door seal. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2024-31462, Excise Tax on Designated Drugs
The IRS is proposing new rules about a special tax on certain drugs sold by manufacturers, producers, and importers during specific times. These rules explain how to calculate and apply this excise tax, which could affect how much these companies pay. If you want to share your thoughts or ask for a public hearing, you need to do it by March 3, 2025.
Next: 2024-30504, Federal Acquisition Regulation: Strengthening America's Cybersecurity Workforce
The Department of Defense, GSA, and NASA want to update government rules to make sure contractors hiring IT and cybersecurity workers use clear skill standards. This helps build a stronger, smarter cybersecurity team to protect America better. If you’re involved in these contracts, get ready to follow new guidelines and share your thoughts by March 4, 2025.