DJI drone ban set to go in to effect on December 23

[Dan Robinson]

The National Defense Authorization Act that was passed last year mandates that aircraft from Chinese drone manufacturers undergo a security audit by a US government agency by December 23. If this audit is not completed by that date, the sale and operation of all new DJI drones (and those made by other Chinese manufacturers) purchased after that date will by law be prohibited by the FCC from using US radio frequencies (effectively a blanket ban on all new models). Drones purchased before that date are exempt from the ban.

So far, no government agency has stepped up to perform the audit, which means that the ban is expected to happen as scheduled.

What does this mean? Don't crash your DJI drone, as there won't be a way to replace it (at similar prices) unless this gets resolved! There will be no legal manufacturers with anywhere near the capability and price point of DJI drones if the ban happens.

 

[Warren Faidley]

I don't see this happening. Too many search & rescue and law enforcement agencies use DJI. I would suspect they will offer some type of extension or emergency exemption for licensed operators.