Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Coming U.S. Policy Change Will Free Small Drone Exports
The Commerce Department is expected to amend its regulations covering the export to foreign countries of small commercial unmanned aircraft.
Navmar Applied Sciences Corp. displayed some of its offerings at the Unmanned Systems conference in Atlanta. (Photo: Bill Carey)
Navmar Applied Sciences Corp. displayed some of its offerings at the Unmanned Systems conference in Atlanta. (Photo: Bill Carey)

The U.S. State Department made headlines earlier this year when it relaxed its export policy on the sale of military and commercial UAVs to other countries. But lesser known is a policy change that will liberalize the sale of small, commercial UAVs outside of the U.S., an attorney specializing in export policy told the Unmanned Systems conference on May 5. “A new approach and language are coming for the export of commercial UAV systems,” said Eric McClafferty, chairman of the international trade and customs practice of Kelley Drye & Warren.