Washington, on the heels of its decision to allow NATO allies to share US military hardware, has rolled out a long-awaited export reform that may make it easier for allies to acquire armed remotely piloted aircraft.

Any change that allows the transfer of systems to improve allied and partner military capabilities should be lauded. But media reports that suggest the United States is preparing to sell UAVs to all military and commercial comers are off target.

Last week's carefully worded announcement appears to open the door to export of armed UAVs to nations other than the UK — thus far the only nation to receive US unmanned aircraft with weapons.

The administration also said it would entertain export licenses for large commercial unmanned systems, thereby acknowledging market demand will lead to further technology development.

It's progress, but too much remains classified, including which countries and what corresponding capabilities are priority targets for the policy, let alone the process for exporting the systems.

The US government must develop a transparent and harmonized approach to selling military and commercial UAVs to guide its allies and industry.

Also unclear is what role the Missile Technology Control Regime will play in future exports. Historically, the State Department's nonproliferation office has applied a presumption of denial on the export of any unmanned air system with a range of more than 300 kilometers and a payload of 1,000 pounds — for legal purposes considered a cruise missile.

The trouble is, unmanned systems have spread around the world. For now, the United States remains a leader in long-range, highly capable systems that exceed the MTCR's range and payload limits.

The administration is on the right track in trying to help allies get key US systems to advance common national security aims, like fighting terrorism. But in an increasingly competitive field like UAVs, history has proved onerous restrictions and opaque processes can destroy that lead.

After China gained key missile technologies while launching US commercial communications satellites in the 1990s, the State Department effectively blocked the export of American comm satellites, eroding US dominance in a key technology market.

Washington must craft a unified approach on armed UAVs that speeds the delivery of key systems to its allies and eliminates barriers to commercialization while keeping sensitive technologies out of the hands of its potential enemies.

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