Drone Alliance Challenges Ban on Non-U.S. Products

The Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) has challenged a recent federal ruling unilaterally banning all foreign-made drones from U.S. sale, distribution, and use, believing that this “broad prohibition” risks damaging U.S. national security.

The CDA, which describes itself as “the leading advocacy organization representing domestic and allied commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) manufacturers in the US,” explained that the all-encompassing ban “risks disrupting critical operations, stalling innovation, inviting retaliation by trusted international trade partners, and weakening—not strengthening—U.S. national security.”

On December 22, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) announced that all new drones and “critical component parts” produced in foreign countries were essentially banned. Believing that these uncrewed aerial systems and associated products pose “unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States,” the FCC thereby added them to its “Covered List.” Previously purchased drones are still allowed to be used.

As well as identifying foreign-made drones’ potential for attacks on the U.S, the FCC stated that “reliance on such devices unacceptably undermines the U.S. drone industrial base.” It now intends to work closely with domestic manufacturers to “unleash American drone dominance.”

Although the CDA shares the U.S. administration’s desire for a global supply chain, it cautions that a “fully domestic ecosystem cannot be achieved overnight.” It is therefore advocating for a transition plan that “preserves [its] members’ ability to innovate domestically while addressing legitimate national security concerns in a targeted way.”