Greg Reverdiau, an Arizona-based drone trainer, said he saw something highly unusual for politically polarised America when he waded through public comments on a US government proposal to restrict foreign-made drones: a consensus.
Reverdiau, the founder of Pilot Institute, which helps aviators obtain licences, said he reviewed over 3,800 comments submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and estimates that about 98 per cent opposed the proposal or raised concerns about it.
“Those numbers are pretty damning for the FCC as to what they’re trying to propose,” Reverdiau said. “I hope that they’re going to be making changes.”
In July, the FCC outlined a plan prohibiting the continued importation and marketing of previously authorised foreign-produced drones, also known as unmanned aircraft systems, and critical components that meet a new definition of “military-grade”.
The proposal, which the commission said was intended to address national security risks, comes amid a broader US effort to reduce reliance on Chinese drone technology and strengthen domestic supply chains.
During the six-week public comment period, which ended in early September, a wide range of stakeholders spoke out against the rule, including law enforcement agencies, farmers, utilities and other commercial drone operators. The vast majority urged the federal government to alter, narrow or delay the proposal, warning it could have significant consequences for their operations.
The key conflict is the breadth of the proposed definition of “military-grade”. Among the categories are drones equipped with thermal imaging or Lidar – technologies that sense heat and measure distances to objects using infrared and laser signals, respectively – widely used for non-military purposes, including search and rescue, factory inspections, mapping, and farming.
The proposal reflects a central dilemma in Washington’s effort to counter China’s dominance of the commercial drone market: technologies with military applications are also increasingly embedded in everyday civilian operations.
Public comments can shape a final rule by forcing agencies to address significant concerns, but the process does not require an agency to adopt commenters’ recommendations. With the Trump administration pursuing an aggressive regulatory agenda amid intensifying US-China rivalry, it remains less clear how much weight the FCC will ultimately give the unusually broad opposition to its proposal.
Chinese companies, particularly DJI, have long dominated the US and global commercial drone market, offering relatively inexpensive and widely available aircraft. Some popular DJI drones commonly used by American operators can cost several hundred dollars or up to US$1,500, while comparable alternatives can be far more expensive and harder to obtain.
The US government has increasingly sought to curb that dependence, first by placing foreign-produced drones on the FCC’s Covered List in December 2025, and then by proposing to restrict the continued import and marketing of previously authorised models that meet its new military-grade criteria.
But the pushback has been substantial.
Law enforcement, farmers speak out over proposed ban
Among those commenting on the latest proposal was the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), which represents more than 3,000 county law enforcement officials across the US. The association raised concerns about public-safety agencies that already have drones and critical components that could fall under the FCC’s proposed definition of foreign-produced military-grade systems.
Sheriffs increasingly use drones for search and rescue, crime-scene documentation, disaster response and other missions, the association said. It asked the FCC to clarify the rule’s scope and improve access to alternative equipment. It also sought an exemption for law-enforcement agencies if adequate alternatives are not available.
“NSA recommends that the FCC add a carve-out for state, local, tribal, and territorial law-enforcement agencies,” the association said.
A proposed weight threshold of 55lbs (25kg) was one particular concern, which the association said was useful for search-and-rescue operations, particularly when covering a large area.
Other law-enforcement agencies, from the New York State Police to small-town departments nationwide, submitted similar comments.
Farm groups raised similar concerns. The Agricultural Retailers Association and California Agricultural UAS Association were among those who defended drone use for spraying pesticides and other chemicals, reducing the need for larger aircraft or ground equipment.
Other groups that might not immediately appear to have a stake in the debate included the American Mosquito Control Association, citing public-health purposes, and Reuters News & Media for newsgathering.
DJI’s long fight with US government
The comment record also included legal objections from Chinese drone manufacturers DJI and Autel Robotics, arguing that the FCC lacked statutory authority to impose the restrictions.
The dispute is part of a broader and increasingly complicated legal battle between DJI and the US government.
The FCC placed foreign-produced unmanned aircraft systems and critical components on its Covered List in December 2025. The designation blocked new models from receiving the FCC approval generally required before electronic devices can be imported, marketed or sold in the US, while allowing previously authorised drones to remain in use.
The latest proposal would go further by cutting off the continued import and marketing of some previously authorised models. DJI has challenged the underlying FCC action in court.
In the latest filing, DJI said the Covered List designation will cost the company US$1.5 billion annually.
In August, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia gave DJI another opportunity to challenge its separate designation on a Pentagon list of companies allegedly linked to the Chinese military. DJI was first placed on the Pentagon’s Section 1260H list of Chinese military companies in 2022.
The FCC’s drone restrictions are separate from the Pentagon designation, but the cases are part of a wider US effort to restrict Chinese technology on national-security grounds.
Beijing has spoken out against Washington’s series of moves, calling them “discriminatory” targeting of Chinese businesses and an “overstretching” of the concept of national security.
Supporters of proposal make voices heard
Not everyone opposed the FCC proposal.
The Washington-based Foundation for Defence of Democracies (FDD) argued that foreign-produced drones with military-grade capabilities pose a distinct national-security threat, particularly when they combine advanced sensors, heavy payloads, resilient communications or autonomous capabilities.
The conservative think tank specifically pointed to agricultural drones, including DJI’s Agras T100, arguing that their ability to carry large payloads and dispense pesticides shows how civilian systems can have potential military applications.
FDD also argued that thermal imaging and Lidar should be considered military-grade capabilities, saying they can provide valuable military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities even when used in civilian settings.
The FCC did not respond to a request for comment. The commission could issue a final decision any time after reviewing the comments.
For Reverdiau, the consequences could extend well beyond large drone manufacturers.
He said small businesses, including operators doing wedding and real-estate photography, could be particularly vulnerable if they can no longer purchase or replace the drones they currently rely on.
“They would not have a drone available to purchase, which means that, well, they can close businesses,” he said. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
