We Dodged a Bullet on the Ban: What the FCC’s December 2025 Drone Decision Really Means

Ever since the Defense Reauthorization Act was signed into law in December of last year, there has been what I can only describe as a ticking time bomb buried in the legislation when it comes to Chinese-made drones. DJI and Autel are the two leading drone manufacturers in the United States market. Both are Chinese companies, and both were explicitly referenced in the Act.  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a big announcement that was a huge win for those in the drone industry.

How We Got Here

The Defense Reauthorization Act of 2024 required a federal review of DJI and Autel to determine whether their products posed unacceptable national security risks. The language in the Act created a clear trigger. If that review was not completed, or if it concluded that the drones were not safe, the FCC would be required to add those companies to its Covered List. Placement on that list does not technically ban a product. Instead, it removes the ability for that equipment to receive authorization to use FCC-regulated radio frequencies. This was widely viewed as a backdoor way of effectively banning Chinese-made drones without calling it a ban. I was genuinely worried that even existing fleets, not just new drones, might be grounded. Fortunately, that's not what happened!

What the FCC Actually Said

On December 22, 2025, the FCC issued a Public Notice implementing Section 1709 of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act. Rather than singling out only DJI and Autel, the FCC added all UAS and critical components produced outside of the United States to the FCC’s Covered List. In other words, this was a broad, category-based determination tied to where drones and their critical components are manufactured, not just to specific companies. At first glance, that sounds alarming. But the FCC was equally clear about the limits of what this decision actually does.

The Covered List designation applies prospectively, not retroactively. No drones currently in operation or already approved are grounded. This means that existing drones currently on the market, like the Mavic 3E or Autel Evo II remain fully legal to sell and operate.

The FCC’s own fact sheet states: “As specified below, today’s decision does not impact a consumer’s ability to continue using drones they previously purchased or acquired. Nor does today’s decision prevent retailers from continuing to sell, import, or market device models approved earlier this year or previously through the FCC’s equipment authorization process. By operation of the FCC’s Covered List rules, the restrictions imposed by today’s decision apply to new device models.”

The words “import” and “today’s decision apply to new device models” are doing a lot of heavy lifting there!!! In practical terms, DJI and Autel can continue to sell their current, already authorized models in the United States. What they cannot do introduce new drone models which would require new FCC equipment approvals.

Why We Dodged a Big Bullet

This outcome avoided what could have been a devastating shock to the U.S. drone market. Instead, the FCC took a measured and balanced approach. Current UAS users and future entrepreneurs can breathe a big sigh of relief.  They can still access low-cost and highly functional drones for the foreseeable future.  New businesses can be formed, and existing operations can continue as they have always done. 

An Advancement Pause, Not a Market Collapse

What the FCC effectively created is a pause on advancement, not a collapse of the market. The market is largely frozen in place with respect to foreign-manufactured drones. Advancement on new models will increasingly need to come from domestically manufactured platforms. Importantly, the drones already available today are extremely capable. I do not hear widespread complaints that current fleets are failing to meet mission needs. Everyone wants better sensors, longer flight times, and new features, but the tools we have right now are getting the job done across a wide range of applications. That makes this a uniquely good moment to pause.

Optimism for the Future of U.S.-Made Drones

Perhaps the most underappreciated benefit of this decision is the certainty it provides. For the first time in years, U.S. drone manufacturers have a clearer regulatory runway. That certainty matters when it comes to capital investment, manufacturing capacity, and long-term planning. This does not mean progress stops. It means progress shifts. If there was ever a moment for American drone manufacturing to scale up, innovate, and mature, this is it. I’ve never been more excited about the UAS future!!!

For readers who want to review the FCC’s materials directly, the primary documents are publicly available here:

FCC Fact Sheet: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-416839A1.pdf

FCC Public Notice: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-1086A1.pdf.