Drones

Drones — also called unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) — play growing roles across national defense, public safety, commerce and recreation, and federal policy aims to enable benefits while managing safety and security risks.

How drones are regulated

The Federal Aviation Administration requires registration for most drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and sets baseline flight rules such as staying below 400 feet, keeping the aircraft within visual line of sight, and avoiding restricted airspace to protect public safety and manned aircraft.

Remote ID and operator standards

Modern compliance includes Remote ID—digital broadcast of a drone’s identification and location—and certification pathways for commercial operators, while agencies and industry develop standards for advanced operations like beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights and drone traffic management.

Security and government use

National security concerns have prompted scrutiny of certain foreign-manufactured systems and new federal measures to ensure trusted supply chains; at the same time, the Department of Defense has increasingly integrated drones into doctrine and procurement (see How Drones Became the Pentagon’s New Weapon of Choice).