FCC moves to ban LiDAR-equipped foreign drones from US — classifies the technology as "military-grade" in a proposal that could also hit thermal models and the swarms used in drone light shows
The FCC is proposing a retroactive sales ban on previously approved foreign-made drones with LiDAR and other “military-grade” features, potentially removing several popular DJI models from U.S. stores.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to ban drones equipped with LiDAR sensors from being imported or sold in the United States. This proposal, published in the Federal Register on August 3 (DA 26-758), would retroactively remove previously approved drone models from the US market. The classification of LiDAR-equipped drones as "military-grade" is based on an executive-branch determination that such technology poses an "unacceptable risk."
The ban would also encompass drones with thermal imaging capabilities, those weighing 55 pounds or more, drones with docking stations, and those operating in coordinated swarms, such as drone light shows. While the economic impact is expected to be minimal, as recreational drone pilots dominate the market, the ban could pose challenges for owners of existing drones in sourcing spare parts. The proposal leaves domestically-made drones and those not on the FCC's Covered List unaffected.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Hardware's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
