DJI and Autel Robotics Escape US Drone Ban, Must Prove Security to Avoid FCC's Covered List

Dec 19, 2024, 01:57 PM

DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer, has temporarily avoided a ban in the United States following the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the next fiscal year. The act, which was passed by the U.S. Senate, did not include the Countering CCP Drones Act that would have immediately prohibited the import and sale of DJI drones. However, the NDAA mandates that DJI and rival Autel Robotics must prove within one year that their products, including communications equipment, do not pose a national security risk. If DJI fails to do so, its products will be automatically added to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Covered List, effectively banning their import and use on U.S. networks. DJI has expressed concerns over the legislation, noting that it unfairly targets Chinese drones and lacks a designated agency to conduct the required risk assessment.