Approval opens the U.S. market for close-quarter autonomous drone inspections on U.S. electricity networks

sees.ai has been granted Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Conditional Approval by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), becoming one of the first organisations cleared under this pathway and opening the door to deployment of its centrally controlled, autonomous drones in the United States for close-quarter inspection of high-voltage electricity infrastructure.

The sees.ai system is developed and operated as an end-to-end platform – from aircraft through to data handling – designed for use in critical national infrastructure and to deliver consistent, engineering-grade inspection data.

This approval follows sees.ai’s submission under the FCC’s Conditional Approval pathway, introduced after U.S. government departments tightened controls on drone supply chains, restricting platforms originating from outside the U.S. from operating in critical infrastructure environments. The pathway provides a route for systems that can demonstrate appropriate security, integrity and supply chain assurance to be authorised for use in the United States.

Conditional Approval from the FCC supports sees.ai to deploy centrally controlled, autonomous drones in the United States, supporting close-quarter inspection of high-voltage electricity infrastructure and providing utilities with the data required for asset condition assessment and long-term network planning.

John McKenna, CEO of sees.ai, said:

“This FCC conditional approval is an important step in providing U.S. grid operators with the reliable, engineering-grade inspection data they need, captured at scale. Regulatory alignment is now a defining factor in the widespread adoption of drone technology in the U.S., and we are ready to meet that demand.”

The U.S. electricity grid is facing increasing pressure from ageing infrastructure, increased demand fuelled by AI, decarbonisation of transport and heating, fluctuating power generation from renewables, and extreme weather. As a result, utilities are placing greater emphasis on consistent asset condition insight and secure, compliant technology providers.

FCC Conditional Approval positions sees.ai to work directly with U.S. transmission and distribution operators as they modernise inspection programmes and strengthen network resilience.