# A drone with no transponder is showing up on aviation tracking apps. The FAA did not anticipate this.

- slug: a-drone-with-no-transponder-is-showing-up-on-aviation-tracking-apps-the-faa-did-not-anticipate-t
- date: 2026-04-23
- category: Robotics

A startup figured out how to make its drones show up on the same aviation tracking apps pilots use — without any onboard radio hardware. The FAA pending drone rule did not anticipate this.

---