The Federal Communications Commission added foreign‑made unmanned aircraft systems and critical components to its Covered List on December 22, 2025, effectively barring new authorizations for those products in the United States. XTI Aerospace, Inc. (NASDAQ: XTIA) and its subsidiary Drone Nerds issued a statement on December 25, 2025, explaining how the rule creates a strategic opening for domestic drone manufacturers and distributors.
XTI’s statement highlighted the company’s November 10 acquisition of Drone Nerds, a U.S.‑based distributor that generated more than $100 million in revenue in 2024 and over $55 million in the first half of 2025. The acquisition expands XTI’s scale, adds a recurring revenue base, and positions the combined entity to supply enterprise, public‑safety, and government customers with compliant, high‑performance UAS sourced from U.S. and FCC‑approved partners.
The FCC action is expected to reshape the U.S. drone market by limiting the availability of foreign‑made models, particularly from Chinese manufacturers such as DJI and Autel Robotics. XTI’s TriFan 600 vertical‑takeoff and landing platform, along with Drone Nerds’ extensive distribution network, gives the company a competitive advantage in capturing the market share that will shift toward domestic suppliers. The rule also supports the U.S. government’s broader agenda to restore airspace sovereignty and foster domestic drone innovation.
Management emphasized that the acquisition of Drone Nerds is a foundational step in building a comprehensive portfolio of vertical‑flight and UAS capabilities. CEO Scott Pomeroy noted that the FCC’s action “creates a clear opportunity for America’s drone ecosystem,” and that the combined company will continue to support existing fleets while guiding customers toward compliant options for future procurement. Drone Nerds CEO Jeremy Schneiderman added that the firm will leverage its national service footprint to help customers navigate the transition and that the partnership aligns with the June 6, 2025 White House executive order on domestic drone development.
Together, XTI and Drone Nerds are positioned to accelerate the adoption of U.S.‑made drones across government and commercial sectors, turning a regulatory hurdle into a growth catalyst for domestic innovation and supply chain resilience.
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