The FCC wants to ban drones with LiDAR that it previously approved
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is proposing to expand its ban on drones to cover models it had previously approved for sale, including several consumer products from Chinese manufacturer DJI. The proposal targets drones fitted with features such as thermal imaging, LiDAR sensing and aerosol dispensing, which the agency views as posing military capability or national security risks. DJI has pushed back strongly, describing the move as a "total reversal" of the FCC's earlier stance, as it could hit both consumer and commercial drone lines.
Affected consumer models could include the DJI Air 3S, Avata 360 and Mini 5 Pro, while commercial drones used for tasks such as agricultural spraying and search and rescue may also be caught by the expanded rules, which would additionally cover drones using docking stations or swarming capability. The campaign began in December 2025 when the FCC added foreign-made drones to its "Covered List" of high-risk equipment, and was widened last month to catch firms suspected of rebranding DJI products. Existing drones already owned by consumers would not be affected, but manufacturers would be barred from selling more units, potentially leading to scarce spare parts and withdrawn software updates. The FCC is accepting public comment on the proposal until 2 September.
- FCC may retroactively ban DJI drones with LiDAR, thermal imaging or spraying features
- Consumer models like Air 3S and Mini 5 Pro could be pulled from sale
- Existing owners unaffected, but parts and updates may dry up
- Public comment period runs until 2 September
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The FCC oversees which radio-emitting devices, including drones, can legally be sold in the United States, and it keeps a "Covered List" of equipment deemed a security risk, mostly from Chinese manufacturers. DJI, based in China, is the world's largest drone maker and a major supplier of both consumer models and commercial drones used in farming, filming and emergency services. US authorities have grown increasingly wary of Chinese-made tech that could gather sensitive data or be repurposed for military use.
The FCC had earlier approved many DJI drones for sale, but is now considering pulling that approval for models with certain features, such as thermal cameras and LiDAR, a laser-based sensor used for mapping and obstacle detection. This would not confiscate drones people already own, but would stop manufacturers selling new ones with these features, which could eventually make repairs and software support harder to get.
The proposal follows earlier steps this year to tighten rules around foreign-made drones, reflecting a broader, ongoing debate in Washington over Chinese technology and national security. DJI disputes the FCC's reasoning and says the change unfairly reverses its previous decisions. The public can submit comments on the proposal before the FCC decides how to proceed.