Red Cat Holdings, a developer of aerial intelligence and situational awareness technologies, has officially responded to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) immediate implementation of Section 1709 of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The FCC’s decision adds foreign-manufactured drones and their critical components to the Covered List, marking a key step in protecting U.S. sovereignty. This action follows a national security determination by an Executive Branch interagency body convened by the White House, which concluded that such foreign uncrewed systems pose unacceptable risks to U.S. safety and security.
Red Cat stressed that enforcing these regulations to safeguard American airspace and critical infrastructure must be matched by an increase in trusted, U.S.-made alternatives. For the policy to succeed, public and private sector customers need access to platforms that are both capable of meeting demanding operational requirements and cost-effective.
Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat, commented, “This is a major moment for the American drone industry. We applaud the Administration’s decision to act with urgency. The FCC’s action sends a clear signal that the U.S. is serious about securing its airspace, backing trusted technology, and leveling the playing field for U.S. manufacturers competing with foreign-subsidized products. What comes next is just as important. U.S. companies should work together to meet the demand this policy will create.”
As the U.S. works to reclaim technological leadership in uncrewed systems, Red Cat is committed to partnering with government agencies and industry leaders to build a secure, resilient, and scalable domestic drone ecosystem. Its Family of Systems, including the NDAA-compliant Black Widow™, is designed and built in the United States to meet the evolving needs of defense and security customers
