TSA seeks drone industry input on BVLOS security roundtables

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, is soliciting representatives of the commercial drone sector to take part in closed technical roundtables that will inform the model language for TSA-approved security programs covering unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The call for participants was published in the Federal Register of Friday, September 4, 2026 (Vol. 91, No. 171, Notices section, pp. 56894–56895), under FR Doc. 2026–18124 and RIN 1652–AA80. Requests to participate must be received by October 19, 2026.

Background and regulatory context

The roundtables build on a joint notice of proposed rulemaking issued on August 7, 2025 by TSA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), titled Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (published at 90 FR 38212). That proposal set out performance-based regulations to integrate UAS BVLOS operations into the national airspace system, including third-party services such as UAS Traffic Management.

Under the proposal, TSA’s security provisions for operations authorized under 14 CFR part 108 would rest on two pillars: the vetting of certain covered personnel, and a requirement that certain operators maintain a TSA-approved security program. TSA is now finalizing those requirements in coordination with the FAA, and the roundtables are designed to gather current industry practice before the final rule takes effect.

Who can participate and how

Participation is limited and closed to the public, because the discussions will touch on Sensitive Security Information (SSI) protected under 49 U.S.C. 114(r) and 44912(d) and 49 CFR part 1520. All participants must be validated by TSA as representatives of a UAS BVLOS operator or of an industry association representing such operators, and must obtain TSA approval for access to SSI.

Participants must be “covered persons” as defined in 49 CFR 1520.7 and sign a non-disclosure agreement before the meeting.
TSA will limit participation to no more than two individuals per association or company.
Meetings may be held in person with a virtual option, or virtually only.
The roundtables will not seek consensus; each participant presents individual views and recommendations to TSA.

TSA also invites representatives of operators currently flying BVLOS under FAA waivers or exemptions, or intending to seek an FAA permit or certificate under the final rule. The meetings will be held only after the FAA and TSA final rules are published, so participants can assess whether they fall within scope.

Contact and next steps

Interested parties should contact Kristine Adams at the Transportation Security Administration, 6595 Springfield Center Drive, Springfield, VA 20598–6028, by telephone at (571) 227–2062 or by email at BVLOS@tsa.dhs.gov. The notice was signed on September 1, 2026 by Scott C. Gorton, Acting Assistant Administrator for Strategy, Policy, and Engagement at TSA.

Why it matters

For the commercial drone sector, these roundtables are a rare opportunity to shape the security-program requirements that will govern BVLOS operations once the final rule lands. Because TSA intends to treat practices operators already use under FAA waivers as potentially satisfying its security requirements, the input gathered now could translate directly into lower compliance costs and faster approvals for the emerging long-range drone industry.

Source: Federal Register, Vol. 91, No. 171, Friday, September 4, 2026, Notices section, pp. 56894–56895 (official reference: FR Doc. 2026–18124, RIN 1652–AA80).