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When the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) effectively placed nearly all foreign-produced drones on its national security “Covered List” late last year, many drone pilots feared the door was closing on a huge portion of the industry. Instead, a different story is now emerging.
The FCC has quietly continued expanding a growing list of drones that have been granted special exemptions from those restrictions, with the latest update arriving on June 4. The newest addition is Innovation First International’s VEX AIR drone, which received a Conditional Approval valid through December 31, 2026.
The move highlights an important reality that many drone operators may have missed: while the FCC’s Covered List restrictions remain in place, manufacturers still have a pathway to prove their products do not pose unacceptable national security risks. And more companies are taking advantage of it.
How we got here
