The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is preparing to expand the scope of drone restrictions on foreign manufacturers. The new regulation on which the institution collected opinions; This could extend to banning the sale of drone models with certain capabilities, such as thermal imaging, LiDAR sensing and aerosol spraying. Moreover, this time, it is on the agenda to include some products that were previously approved by the FCC and sold in the USA. Consumer models such as DJI Air 3S, DJI Avata 360 and DJI Mini 5 Pro are among the devices that may be affected by the possible regulation due to their LiDAR detection capabilities. However, the FCC specifically states that the use of previously purchased drone models will not be affected by the new ban.
In the public notice published by the FCC last month, it asked for comment on the current ban on including categories of drones that the US government considers to have military capability or pose certain national security risks. The features evaluated by the institution are not limited to imaging and detection systems. Drone models that can integrate with defense equipment, systems that use docking and charging stations, and drones that can operate in swarms may also fall within the scope of the proposed restriction. Thus, the FCC’s approach could affect a broader set of products based on the technical capabilities of the devices rather than specific companies. If the regulation is accepted, the sales conditions in the US market for consumer and professional drone models, especially those equipped with advanced sensors, may change.
FCC drone ban could impact DJI’s consumer and commercial models
The FCC’s restrictions on foreign-made drones had expanded significantly in December 2025. At that time, the Authority included drones produced in foreign countries and the critical components used in these devices within the scope of the Covered List, which includes communication equipment and services that were considered to pose an unacceptable risk for the national security of the United States. The first regulation mainly affected new models that had not yet received FCC approval. Therefore, the sale of drones that had previously received the necessary approval from the institution and were on the market could continue. The change that the FCC is now considering could have broader consequences than the previous practice, as it could also halt the sale of certain models approved in the past.
Last month, the agency expanded the restrictions once again to include the products of companies suspected of reselling DJI products under different brands. If the new proposal is accepted, sales of some DJI consumer drones with LiDAR detection systems in the USA may be stopped, even though they have previously received FCC approval. In the source, DJI Air 3S, DJI Avata 360 and DJI Mini 5 Pro are listed among the models that may be affected by this situation. In addition, the effects of the regulation may not be limited to the products preferred by individual users. DJI’s commercial drone systems used in agricultural spraying, search and rescue and similar professional tasks may also face restrictions depending on their hardware and functions.
The FCC emphasizes that the possible ban will not directly cover drones that users have previously purchased. In other words, there is no regulation at this stage that prevents existing device owners from using the drones they have. However, preventing manufacturers from selling new products from affected models may create indirect problems for existing users. Sales halts may reduce spare parts availability over time and may also affect manufacturers’ decisions to maintain or update software features. Especially for professional drone systems that are expected to be used for a long time, continuity of service, parts and software support may therefore become as decisive as the device itself.
DJI, on the other hand, opposed the FCC’s latest proposal with a statement published on the official ViewPoints blog. The company called the agency’s approach, which could also restrict previously approved devices, a “complete reversal” from the FCC’s previous stance. At the heart of DJI’s objection is the possibility that products that have passed the necessary regulatory approvals and are already on the market may be subject to a subsequent sales ban. The FCC continues to collect public opinion on its proposal to restrict drones with certain capabilities that it has accepted at the military level. Interested parties will be able to convey their opinions about the proposal to the institution until September 2.
The decisive point of the process for users will be which technical features and product categories the FCC will evaluate within the scope of national security risk in the final regulation. Technologies such as LiDAR and thermal imaging can be used in professional tasks as well as civilian purposes such as mapping, obstacle detection and safer flight. Aerosol spraying systems can be one of the basic functions of drones, especially those used in agricultural applications. Therefore, a broad restriction on technical capabilities could lead to more comprehensive consequences than simply removing certain consumer models from the shelves. The final scope, which will be shaped after the FCC meets by September 2, will more clearly reveal which existing products DJI and other foreign drone manufacturers can continue to sell in the United States.
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