Hogan Lovells client Commercial Drone Alliance leads industry charge to expand U.S. drone operations

The FAA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), announced August 5 at a press conference hosted by the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, marks a major leap forward in integrating drones into the national airspace. Ellman, who chairs Hogan Lovells’ Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Practice and serves as CDA’s Executive Director, delivered remarks at the event, underscoring the transformative potential of BVLOS operations for sectors ranging from infrastructure and agriculture to public safety and logistics.

"This proposal is a game-changer," said Ellman. "It reflects years of hard work, collaboration, and advocacy. Routine BVLOS operations will unlock the full promise of drone technology—enabling safer, more efficient, and more scalable solutions across the economy."

"Unlocking BVLOS is key to realizing the full benefits of drone technology," said Forro, Hogan Lovells Policy Advisor and Policy Director at the CDA. "This proposal is a major step toward building the low-altitude economy, and we urge all stakeholders to engage and help refine it."

The CDA welcomed the NPRM as a "landmark proposal" and reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the FAA and other stakeholders to finalize a rule that promotes innovation, safety, and American leadership in drone technology.

Hogan Lovells has been a strategic legal partner to CDA since the leading advocacy group’s inception, advising on regulatory strategy, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. Under Ellman’s leadership, the firm’s UAS team helps shape the industry’s vision for a future where drones operate safely and routinely beyond the pilot’s line of sight.

Consistently at the forefront of national drone policy reform, Hogan Lovells advised the CDA in leading industry efforts to advance two White House Executive Orders, "Unleashing American Drone Dominance" and "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty." These directives aim to modernize U.S. drone regulations, promote innovation, and enhance national security.

In May, Hogan Lovells and the Commercial Drone Alliance co-hosted the Commercial Drone Innovation and Security Summit, bringing together government and industry leaders to discuss the policy steps needed to restore U.S. leadership in the commercial drone ecosystem and the interplay between enabling innovation and maintaining security in meeting that objective. The event highlighted the firm’s leadership in regulatory innovation and its strategic partnership with CDA to advance commercial drone integration.