The United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is soliciting individuals to participate in technical roundtables that will help the agency develop model language for TSA-approved security programmes that will provide for the secure operation of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
As part of the notice of proposed rulemaking for BVLOS operations issued in August 2025, TSA proposed requirements to address the security of UAS BVLOS operations. The agency’s proposed security provisions broadly consisted of two pieces: vetting of certain covered personnel and the requirement that certain operators maintain a TSA-approved security programme. TSA is in the process of finalising its regulatory requirements, in coordination with the FAA, to enable the secure operation of UAS BVLOS.
The roundtables are expected to follow publication of the final rule. They will offer stakeholders the opportunity to provide input on the kinds of organisational, structural, technological and/or physical methods UAS BVLOS operators may already be employing to ensure the security of their operations. According to a TSA notice entered on the Federal Register today (4 September), TSA anticipates that some actions and procedures that UAS BVLOS operators have already implemented when conducting UAS BVLOS operations under FAA waivers or exemptions may adequately satisfy some of TSA’s security programme requirements.
“Wherever possible and appropriate, TSA intends for the individual inputs provided at the technical roundtables to inform model approaches that UAS BVLOS operators can use to meet security program requirements,” the notice states. “These meetings will not seek consensus recommendations from participants. Rather, the technical roundtables will provide participants an opportunity to provide individual views and information to TSA and position TSA to provide guidance informed by current industry practices as described by participants.”
Requests to participate are invited by 19 October. Participants must be validated by TSA as a representative of either a UAS BVLOS operator or an industry association representing these operators or subset of operators. They must also obtain approval from TSA for access to Sensitive Security Information (SSI).
For more information
Federal Register
Image: Shutterstock
