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Cleared for Takeoff: FAA to Allow Commercial Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Later this Year

Client Alert | 1 min read | 07.30.13

On July 19, the FAA issued a Restricted Category type certificate to two small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that permits aerial surveillance in the Arctic, a significant development that will pave the way for commercial UAS operations later this year (previously discussed here and here). Previous military use of the approved UAS helped facilitate FAA's action, which comes as an encouraging sign for aerospace manufacturers seeking new markets as well as other industries anticipating the emergence of civilian UAS, including agriculture, oil and gas exploration, law enforcement, and security.


Insights

Client Alert | 2 min read | 04.16.26

Federal Circuit Holds Challengers to CICA Stay Overrides Need Not Satisfy Four-Factor Injunctive Relief Test

In a significant decision for government contractors, on April 15, 2026, in Life Science Logistics, LLC v. United States, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held that bid protesters challenging an agency’s override of an automatic stay of contract performance under the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) need not satisfy the demanding four-factor test traditionally required for preliminary injunctive relief.  In so doing, the Federal Circuit clarified that CICA stay override challenges need only demonstrate that the override decision was arbitrary and capricious—nothing more....