In a significant development for the drone industry, the Senate Armed Services Committee has released its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), notably omitting the contentious demand to ban new DJI drones from entering the U.S. market. This decision diverges from the House’s version of the bill, which passed last month and included provisions to halt the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from issuing new licenses to DJI due to national security concerns.
The House’s NDAA incorporated amendments from the Countering CCP Drones Act, mandating the FCC to add DJI to its “Covered List.” Inclusion on this list would prevent the FCC from approving new equipment authorizations for DJI products or software in the U.S., and potentially revoke existing authorizations, although such a move is considered unlikely.
The Senate’s decision to exclude the ban reflects a more cautious approach. DJI drones are extensively utilized across various sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, and public safety. A sudden prohibition could disrupt ongoing projects and impede progress in critical areas. Recently, representatives from over 6,000 public safety agencies, police, and fire departments with drone programs across the U.S. voiced their opposition to the inclusion of the Countering CCP Drones Act in the NDAA.
Despite this temporary reprieve, the future of DJI drones in the U.S. remains uncertain. The Senate version will now proceed to the floor for consideration. Should it pass, the House and Senate will need to reconcile their versions of the NDAA. This reconciliation process could reintroduce the ban or result in a compromise imposing certain restrictions on DJI drones. The industry is closely monitoring these developments, with many companies preparing for various scenarios.
DJI has long been the market leader and preferred choice for drone operators in the U.S. The company has consistently denied allegations of data security risks and emphasized the steps it has taken to address security concerns, including disabling the option for U.S. drone pilots to sync their flight records to DJI’s servers.
Vic Moss from the Drone Service Provider Alliance and the Drone Advocacy Alliance shared the news in a Facebook video, stating, “The Countering CCP Drones language is not in the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act.” This development marks a significant turn in the ongoing debate about Chinese-made drones in the United States.
The legislative journey is far from over. Moss explained that the next step involves voting on the bill, potentially during the lame-duck session. Following that, a conference committee will reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions, ultimately determining whether the restrictions on Chinese-made drones make it into the final NDAA.
The exclusion of the Countering CCP Drones Act language from the Senate version of the NDAA is seen as a positive development by many in the drone industry. Moss expressed cautious optimism, noting that the absence of the language in the Senate version is a step in the right direction.
If the Act were to become law, it would significantly impact the U.S. drone market, particularly affecting public safety agencies and other sectors that heavily rely on DJI drones. This development aligns with concerns raised by public safety experts, who have cautioned about the far-reaching consequences of a blanket ban on DJI drones, highlighting the lack of readily available alternatives.
As the legislative process continues, it is crucial to balance national security concerns with the practical needs of drone users across various sectors. The drone community will be watching closely as the NDAA moves through the conference committee, where the final fate of these drone restrictions will be decided.
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