Summary: In May 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a sweeping proposed rule that would let operators of critical infrastructure — from energy facilities to state prisons — petition for an Unmanned Aircraft Flight Restriction (UAFR) around their site. Buried in the eligibility requirements is a detail that matters a lot to security teams: to qualify for a UAFR, a facility must already have Remote ID sensing capability in place. This post walks through what a UAFR is, how the standard and special designations differ, and what the proposed detection requirement actually asks facility operators to demonstrate before the FAA will even consider their application.
The proposed rule implements Section 2209 of the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016, which directed the FAA to create a process for restricting drone operations near certain fixed site facilities. Under the new framework, eligible facilities, organized across 16 critical infrastructure sectors identified in National Security Memorandum 22, could apply to have airspace within their property boundaries, generally from the surface up to 400 feet AGL (above ground level), designated as a UAFR. Once active, unmanned aircraft would generally be prohibited from entering that airspace except under narrow, clearly defined exceptions.
A UAFR does not create a physical or electromagnetic barrier. It functions more like a legal no-fly boundary published on a public FAA database, giving law enforcement and facility security teams a clear line between compliant and non-compliant drone activity. Pilots who are caught in violation of the UAFR face fines and potential prison time.
Remote ID sensing is the ability to receive and log the broadcast signals that Part 89 requires most drones to transmit — identifying a drone's location, altitude, speed, and operator or takeoff position in real time. Under proposed §74.56, an applicant must show it already has layered protective security measures in place before the FAA will process a UAFR request. Alongside restricted access, dedicated security personnel, and active monitoring, the FAA proposes requiring that a facility have the capability — directly or through a contracted service — to receive and log broadcast Remote ID signals from drones operating nearby which they refer to as Remote ID sensing.
For critical infrastructure operators, this requirement effectively ties airspace protection to detection capability. A UAFR establishes where drones are restricted, but a facility still needs visibility into drone activity to identify potential violations and respond while a flight is underway. Remote ID sensing provides real-time information about the drone and pilot/controller location, helping security teams and law enforcement locate the operator, make contact, understand the circumstances of the flight, and determine an appropriate response. It also creates a record of drone activity over time, helping facilities identify repeat activity, document incidents, and provide law enforcement with more actionable information when needed.
Although the UAFR framework is still proposed, several of the requirements make early preparation valuable. Facilities that wait until the application process opens may find themselves trying to establish capabilities and gather information that could have been developed well in advance.
Starting now gives operators time to establish Remote ID sensing, understand and document the drone activity around their facilities, and begin assembling information that may support a future application. If the proposed framework moves forward, facilities that have already laid this groundwork will be better positioned to apply when the process opens.
What is a UAFR under the FAA proposed rule?
An Unmanned Aircraft Flight Restriction (UAFR) is a legal no-fly boundary designated by the FAA over eligible fixed-site critical infrastructure facilities. Established under proposed 14 CFR Part 74, a UAFR restricts unauthorized drone flights up to 400 feet above ground level to enhance physical and operational security.
Does a UAFR grant critical infrastructure facilities authority to shoot down drones?
No. A UAFR is an airspace regulatory designation published on FAA maps. It creates a legal restriction for law enforcement and security teams to act on, but it does not grant private facilities federal Counter-UAS authorities to physically intercept, jam, or shoot down drones.
Why does the FAA require Remote ID sensing for a UAFR?
The FAA proposes requiring Remote ID sensing so facilities can maintain awareness of nearby drone activity and detect permitted operations within or near the restricted airspace.
Do all critical infrastructure sectors have to have Remote ID sensing, or just certain ones?
No — the requirement isn't sector-specific. Any facility across the 16 critical infrastructure sectors identified in National Security Memorandum 22 that wants to apply for a UAFR has to demonstrate Remote ID sensing capability. Under proposed §74.56, it's part of the baseline protective security package every applicant must show to clear the initial eligibility threshold, regardless of which sector the facility falls under.