Overview
- In December, the FCC put all foreign-made drones and UAS critical components on its Covered List, blocking authorization of new models from makers including DJI and Autel.
- Acting Jan. 7 on a Defense Department recommendation, the FCC temporarily cleared imports of specified models from Parrot, Teledyne FLIR, Neros Technologies, Wingtra, Auterion, ModalAI, Zepher Flight Labs and AeroVironment through the end of 2026.
- The agency also approved imports of listed critical components from companies such as Nvidia, ModalAI, Panasonic, Sony, Samsung and ARK Electronics for the same period.
- The update leaves prior rules intact: existing authorized drones and previously purchased units remain legal to use, and federal agencies’ acquisitions are not restricted by the Covered List.
- The carve-outs are temporary and will be reevaluated before they expire as national security and supply chain reviews continue.