Department of War Grants New Conditional Approvals
On October 23, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) released Public Notice DA 26-1154, announcing that the Department of War (DoW) granted Conditional Approvals for several foreign-produced communications devices and equipment platforms. As a result of these determinations, the covered devices are exempted from the FCC's Covered List pursuant to Section 2 of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 and sections 1.50002(a) and 1.50003 of the Commission's rules.
Newly Exempted Devices and Platforms
Based on National Security Determinations received from the Department of War, the Bureau updated the Covered List to exclude the following specified devices and product lines:
- Manna Drones Delivery, Inc.'s 383.2 Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)
- Alpha Networks, Inc.'s XGSPON ONT 1000 series router (effective through April 24, 2028)
- Bloom Energy Corporation's INV-750, AC7, RI7, and Central power inverter platforms
- Hitachi Energy Power Conversion Solutions S.L.U.'s WD3 and WD4 power inverters
- Haystack Robotics, Inc.'s Violet AI robotic device
- T-Robotics Co., Ltd.'s entire product class of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
Onshoring Requirements and Conditional Approval Terms
These exemptions remain conditioned on each manufacturer's ongoing adherence to the specific terms set forth in the National Security Determinations. Except for Alpha Networks, each company is subject to updated vetting of its products alongside compliance with its approved onshoring plan.
Under the terms established by the DoW, approvals that do not list an explicit expiration date will remain in effect indefinitely, provided the entity complies with its onshoring commitments and product vetting procedures. If an applicant fails to adhere to its onshoring plan or if the U.S. Government identifies false statements or misrepresentations in an application, the conditional approval will terminate and the equipment will be returned to the Covered List.
Regulatory Background Across Equipment Categories
The Covered List identifies communications equipment and services determined to pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the safety of U.S. persons under WC Docket No. 18-89, ET Docket No. 21-232, and EA Docket No. 21-233. The Bureau has previously integrated National Security Determinations across multiple equipment categories:
Foreign-produced Uncrewed Aircraft Systems and critical components were added to the Covered List on December 22, 2025, with exemptions established for Blue UAS Cleared List items, Buy American Standard domestic end products (extended through January 1, 2028), toy drones, and DoW/DHS conditionally approved systems. Foreign-produced routers were added on March 23, 2026, while foreign-produced power inverters and advanced robotic devices were added on July 28, 2026, subject to specific conditional approval processes.
Commission staff will continue providing guidance to Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs), test labs, and equipment authorization applicants regarding these updates.