Approvals Sought at FCC for Experimental Operations

Every year, thousands of applications are filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by defense contractors and equipment manufacturers seeking approval for experimental wireless operations in support of National Security objectives.
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Experimental licensing is a critical and necessary tool for contractors seeking to test and develop defense-related wireless systems and equipment in support of government contracts or for research and development in support of military priorities.

ArentFox Schiff’s Communications & Technology team, in conjunction with the firm’s National Security group, stands at the forefront of experimental licensing and regulation. 

As part of our extensive involvement in this area, we are pleased to provide the following list of notable experimental filings from the past week:

Applications for New or Modified Experimental Licenses from the last week include the following:

  • Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    • “To test and verify microwave band communication functionality with data links.”
  • Trellisware Technologies, Inc.
    • “[T]o test and develop its ULOS-enabled SDRs for sale (once approved by the FCC) to its government & defense, first responder, and commercial customers.”
  • Raytheon Company
    • Ground testing of telemetry system.
       

Applications for New Experimental Special Temporary Authority from the last week include the following:

  • L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
    • “[F]or the control link of the UAS during takeoff and landing from Greenville, TX…”
  • Space Exploration Holdings, LLC
    • “[T]o demonstrate high-data-rate communications with the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy booster on the ground at the launch site in Starbase, TX, during launch, inflight operations, booster recovery, and spacecraft entry.”
       

Other Experimental Filings submitted to the FCC include the following:

  • New Licenses or Modifications:
    • Gulfstream Aerospace
  • New Licenses:
    • Booz Allen Hamilton
    • Droneshield LLC

For any questions regarding these filings, the FCC’s experimental licensing process, or any other aspect of the FCC’s regulation of National Security matters, please contact Jeff Rummel or the ArentFox Schiff attorney who handles your matters.

Additional research provided by Zoe Tumminello.

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