On September 11, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Countering CCP Drones Act,” a significant move aimed at restricting the operations of Chinese drone manufacturer DJI within the United States. This legislation, part of the broader 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), seeks to add DJI to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Covered List, effectively prohibiting new DJI drones from operating on U.S. communications networks. 机器人报告+5Tom’s Hardware+5commercialuavnews.com+5The Verge+3commercialuavnews.com+3AP News+3
Key Provisions of the Legislation
The bill mandates that, within one year of enactment, DJI must demonstrate to a designated national security agency that its products do not pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security. Failure to do so would result in the FCC adding DJI to its Covered List under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. This designation would bar DJI’s equipment from operating on U.S. networks and prohibit the FCC from authorizing their internal radios for use in the U.S., effectively blocking all imports. The Verge+1AP News+1
The legislation also extends to any subsidiaries, affiliates, or entities with shared technology agreements with DJI, aiming to prevent circumvention through rebranding or licensing. The Verge
Implications for U.S. Industries
Agriculture: DJI drones have become integral to modern farming practices, including crop monitoring and pesticide application. A ban could disrupt these operations, especially in rural communities where alternatives are limited. AP News+3LandHub+3goaheadandshoot.com+3
Public Safety: Emergency services and law enforcement agencies rely on DJI drones for search and rescue missions, surveillance, and disaster response. The ban could hinder these critical operations, as domestic alternatives may not yet match DJI’s capabilities.
Real Estate and Construction: The real estate industry utilizes DJI drones for aerial photography and property inspections. A ban could increase costs and reduce efficiency in these sectors. LandHub+1goproptech.com+1
Industry Response
DJI has criticized the bill, labeling it as driven by “baseless allegations and xenophobic fears.” The company emphasizes its commitment to data security and its role in supporting various U.S. industries. DJI Official
Industry stakeholders express concerns about the lack of viable domestic alternatives. Vic Moss, CEO of the Drone Service Providers Alliance, estimates that “67% of the [UAV operators] in this country would go out of business if we couldn’t use Chinese drones.” 机器人报告+2commercialuavnews.com+2WSJ+2
Next Steps
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it will be reviewed and possibly integrated into the Senate’s version of the 2025 NDAA. If passed, it will proceed to the President for final approval.commercialuavnews.com
Conclusion
The passage of the “Countering CCP Drones Act” by the U.S. House marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of national security and commercial drone usage. While aiming to address security concerns, the potential ban on DJI drones poses significant challenges for various U.S. industries reliant on this technology. Businesses should monitor legislative developments closely and explore alternative solutions to mitigate potential disruptions.