FCC Bans Foreign-Made Drones and Key Parts Over U.S. National Security Risks

https://thehackernews.com/2025/12/fcc-bans-foreign-made-drones-and-key.html

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/42842134

"UAS and UAS critical components must be produced in the United States," the FCC said. "This will reduce the risk of direct UAS attacks and disruptions, unauthorized surveillance, sensitive data exfiltration, and other UAS threats to the homeland."

"UAS and UAS critical components, including data transmission devices, communications systems, flight controllers, ground control stations, controllers, navigation systems, batteries, smart batteries, and motors produced in a foreign country, could enable persistent surveillance, data exfiltration, and destructive operations over U.S. territory."

12 points · 5 comments · view on lemmy.world

5 Comments

pageflight@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 223d

Batteries?? Where are those going to come from?

venusaur@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 223d

And the battle for an American DJI intensifies

rumba@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 192d

UAS and UAS critical components must be produced in the United States

Made in the USA with globally sourced parts. Apple 2.0

sith@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 18d (1 reply)

I mean, that's good I guess? Don't understand why people here are negative.

sobchak@programming.dev · 1 pts · 18d

There are virtually zero domestically produced drones and drone parts. The ones that are, are typically for defense and law enforcement; not hobby/cinematography. Broad blanket bans like this and the consumer router ban allow regulators to accept bribes for exclusion. As of now there are still new foreign hobby drones being sold, but they are using loopholes, are effectively "grey market" items, and regulators can stop them or ask for bribes at any time. All new DJI products are banned, and no other consumer product manufacturer even comes close to matching their video system capabilities; which is a big loss for the hobby.