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FAA Expands BEYOND Drone Program with New Participants

September 2, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

FAA expands BEYOND drone testing program with up to 8 new participants.
Program aims to gather data for routine BVLOS operations.
Expansion supports regulatory framework for drone integration.
Phase 2 began in 2025 and will be funded through 2029.

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Strategic Implications

The expansion of the BEYOND drone program may indicate the FAA's growing focus on integrating drones into the national airspace system. The addition of new participants could provide more operational data, which suggests a move towards performance-based standards for routine BVLOS operations, potentially benefiting the drone industry and its stakeholders.

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What Happened

Drone Testing Initiative Adds Up to Eight New Entities for BVLOS Operations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expanding its BEYOND drone testing program by adding up to eight new participants, including state, local, tribal, and territorial entities. The program aims to gather data for routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and support a regulatory framework for drone integration. With Phase 2 beginning in 2025 and funded through 2029, the FAA is working towards establishing a framework for safely BVLOS drone operations. This development was first reported by an unknown source.

Source | Originally Published: September 2, 2026

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