FCC Grants Conditional Approval to Ascento Guard Dori USA v1
The FCC has granted Conditional Approval to Ascento Inc.’s Guard Dori USA v1 UAS, exempting it from the Covered List. The decision follows a December 2025 update that allows foreign-made UAS to be removed from the list under certain conditions.
The Federal Communications Commission granted Conditional Approval to Ascento Inc.’s Ascento Guard Dori USA v1 Uncrewed Aircraft System on August 21, 2026. The approval exempts that specific system from the FCC Covered List.
Conditional Approval Process
The FCC’s August 21 public notice states that the Department of War issued the Conditional Approval. The agency’s rule, established in December 2025, added UAS and critical components produced abroad to the Covered List but also created a mechanism for removal when the Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security determines that a particular piece of equipment does not pose an unacceptable national security risk.
Since that rule, the Department of War has granted Conditional Approvals to a growing number of UAS. The FCC’s current list includes systems from SiFly Aviation, ScoutDI, sees.ai, AIR6, Elevon Aerial, Blueflite, Verity, Flock Safety, ABZ Innovation, Ceres Air and Parallel Flight Technologies, among others.
In July, the FCC changed the terms of these approvals. Conditional Approvals no longer carry a fixed expiration date. They can remain effective as long as the applicant follows the on-shoring plan included in its application and the products pass updated vetting. Failure to follow the plan, or false statements or misrepresentations in the application, can terminate the approval and return the equipment to the Covered List. The FCC says those conditions apply to the Ascento approval.
Scope of the Exemption
The FCC notice specifically exempts the Guard Dori USA v1 model. It does not extend to other Ascento products. The exemption applies only to that identified system and does not cover any other models or components. The FCC also granted an exemption for several Wi-Fi routers from WNC Corporation in the same notice.
Background on Ascento
Ascento is a Swiss robotics company that grew from a project at ETH Zurich. ETH lists Ascento among its robotics startups and describes the company as developing mobile robots for security monitoring. Ascento is best known for autonomous ground robots designed to patrol large sites. Its commercial security platform combines autonomous operation with cameras and other sensors for tasks such as perimeter checks and thermal monitoring. Ascento currently operates its Guard product as a “Robotics as a Service” offering.
The FCC notice does not provide technical specifications for the newly approved Guard Dori USA v1, and publicly available information does not establish that it is the same platform as Ascento’s better-known ground robots. The FCC identifies the Guard Dori USA v1 specifically as an uncrewed aircraft system.
Implications for the Drone Market
The Conditional Approval process now offers a clear path for specific foreign-produced UAS to receive an exemption from the FCC Covered List. This may encourage more manufacturers to seek approval, potentially expanding the range of UAS available in the United States. However, the requirement to adhere to an on-shoring plan and to maintain accurate information in the application remains a significant compliance burden.
The FCC notice does not provide technical specifications for the newly approved Guard Dori USA v1.
