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'Rise' of the Machines: FAA Publishes Plans for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations

Client Alert | less than 1 min read | 11.07.13

On November 7, the FAA released its first annual Roadmap outlining efforts to integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace system safely, including the policies, regulations, technologies, and procedures to make civil and commercial UAS operations a reality. The Roadmap, released along with the Joint Planning and Development Office's Comprehesive Plan to accelerate UAS integration, and FAA's final Privacy Plan requirements for the six UAS Test Sites that will be selected later this year (discussed here) are good news for aerospace manufacturers and other industries interested in UAS development, including agriculture, oil and gas, and law enforcement.p>

Insights

Client Alert | 5 min read | 07.20.26

DOJ and DHS Issue Interim Final Rule on State and Local Counter-Drone Authority Under the SAFER SKIES Act

On July 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) setting up a new federal framework that allows state, local, Tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement and correctional agencies to detect, track, and, in some cases, disable or seize drones. The rule directly affects SLTT agencies looking to stand up counter-drone programs, as well as drone and counter-drone technology companies whose products will be subject to federal review and approval. Although the IFR bypassed the Administrative Procedure Act’s standard notice-and-comment process on good cause grounds — citing the statutory 180-day deadline and urgent public safety needs — the rule is already legally binding and effective as of July 1, 2026. The Departments are nonetheless accepting post-promulgation comments through September 4, 2026....