On 22 December 2025, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expanded its "Covered List" to include foreign-made uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and their critical components. This regulatory change prevents new drone models from receiving the equipment authorizations required for legal import and sale in the United States, although it does not impact drones already in use or previously authorized models. The decision follows a national security determination citing risks related to unauthorized surveillance and data exfiltration. Notably, the new restrictions encompass "associated software," directly affecting the digital stack that powers modern AI-assisted navigation and perception in autonomous flight systems.