AeroVironment IncProposed FCC restrictions on foreign drones could boost U.S. manufacturers like AeroVironment.
A potential federal ban on the sale of certain previously approved foreign-made drones could accelerate the growth of the U.S. drone industry, according to a Piper Sandler research report published Wednesday. The Federal Communications Commission is considering restrictions that would prohibit the importation and sale of foreign uncrewed aircraft systems and critical components placed on its Covered List, with public comments due September 2. Unlike earlier measures focused on preventing new equipment certifications, the proposal could also affect products that have already received approval and are currently available for sale, including drones with thermal-imaging or LiDAR capabilities, aircraft equipped to dispense aerosols, drone docking stations, and drones weighing more than 55 pounds. If adopted, the restrictions could significantly shorten the timetable for reducing U.S. reliance on Chinese drone technology, creating opportunities for domestic manufacturers of drones, optical systems, components, and supporting technology. The report also highlighted a second catalyst: new investments from the Office of Strategic Capital under the federal Drone Dominance Program, which in July made a conditional $820 million loan commitment to an unnamed private drone supplier to establish high-volume U.S. production of propulsion, power, control systems, vision technology, and other components. Piper Sandler named AeroVironment, Unusual Machines, and LightPath Technologies as its preferred publicly traded companies in the drone and drone-supply-chain market, maintaining Overweight ratings with price targets of $235, $38, and $15, respectively.
AeroVironment IncProposed FCC restrictions on foreign drones could boost U.S. manufacturers like AeroVironment.
LightPath Technologies IncLightPath Technologies named as preferred supplier benefiting from proposed drone restrictions.
Unusual Machines, Inc.Unusual Machines named as preferred drone company benefiting from proposed restrictions.
Piper Sandler Companies