The FCC ban on all foreign made UAS and UAS "critical components"

[anotherlab]

The FCC didn't wait long. Yesterday, it issued a news release, which you can read here.

It's titled "FACT SHEET: FCC Updates Covered List to Include Foreign UAS and UAS Critical Components on Going Forward Basis:". If you don't read any further, that pretty much sums up how bad this is.

From the news release...

Yesterday, following a thorough review by an Executive Branch interagency body withappropriate national security expertise that was convened by the White House, the FCC receiveda specific determination that UAS and UAS critical component parts that are produced inforeign countries pose “unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States and to thesafety and security of U.S. persons” and should be included on the FCC’s Covered List, unlessthe Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security makes a specific determinationto the FCC that a given UAS, class of UAS, or UAS critical component does not pose suchrisks. The determination includes the equipment and services listed in Section 1709 of the FY25National Defense Authorization Act.

Therefore, consistent with this National Security Determination, the FCC updated the Covered List to include UAS and UAS critical components produced abroad.

So, going by the last sentence, I would assume that would include batteries, props, basically any part that keeps a drone up in the air. It is a blanket ban across the board. Skydio better have a battery production facility in the US.

New devices on the Covered List, such as foreign-made drones, are prohibited from
receiving FCC authorization and are therefore prohibited from being imported for use or
sale in the U.S. This update to the Covered List does not prohibit the import, sale, or
use of any existing device models the FCC previously authorized.

This action does not affect any previously-purchased drone. Consumers can
continue to use any drone they have already lawfully purchased or acquired. [/B]

 

[mavic3usa]

I would like to see the DJI Fact list (covering the things they are in control over) posted on dji.com/us instead off 404 Error. Customers are confused and most Americans will not reach out to the government for clarification especially if it's a business decision.

 

[anotherlab]

I would like to see the DJI Fact list (covering the things they are in control over) posted on dji.com/us instead off 404 Error. Customers are confused and most Americans will not reach out to the government for clarification especially if it's a business decision.

This didn't target DJI only; the FCC has just blocked all new UAS and UAS components produced outside the US.

What do you expect or need to see from DJI?

I guess that they (and every other player in this space) are reviewing all of their options before taking a public stance. There is a carve-out in the news release that allows the Department of "War" or Homeland Security to exempt specific UAS from the ban.

 

[mavic3usa]

This is weak:

DJI Responds To FCC Ban: 'Not Grounded In Evidence'

DJI has issued its first official response to the FCC's decision to add foreign-made drones to the Covered List, calling the action "disappointing" and

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