U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced on August 27, 2026, that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is launching Phase 2 of the BEYOND program. Authorized under Section 920 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, the initiative aims to expand the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system and address operational challenges in beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and public safety missions.
Under Phase 2, the FAA plans to double the program's scope by selecting up to eight additional state, local, tribal, and territorial entities as lead participants. During BEYOND Phase 1, participants logged over 70,000 flights, including more than 48,000 BVLOS operations, generating operational data to support regulatory standards.
