UAV & Drones
FCC Adds DJI and Foreign Drones to Covered List Blocking New US Authorizations
FCC blocks new US authorizations for DJI, Autel, and all foreign-made drones citing security risks; existing models remain legal under grandfather clause.
This article summarizes reporting by Reuters and official public notices from the Federal Communications Commission.
On December 22, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially placed DJI, Autel Robotics, and broadly defined “foreign-made” drones on its “Covered List.” According to reporting by Reuters and official agency releases, this action effectively prohibits the authorization of new foreign drone models for import or sale within the United States. The decision cites national security risks and follows a deadline established by the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The ruling represents a significant shift in the American aviation landscape. By adding these entities to the list, the FCC has determined that telecommunications and video surveillance equipment produced by these manufacturers poses an unacceptable risk to national security. While the ban prevents new certifications, it notably includes a “grandfather” clause for equipment already in use.
According to Reuters, the inclusion of DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, along with its competitor Autel Robotics, marks the culmination of years of regulatory scrutiny regarding data privacy and supply chain vulnerabilities.
The FCC’s order is sweeping in its definition. While it specifically names industry giants DJI (Da-Jiang Innovations) and Autel Robotics, the ruling extends to “uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical components produced in a foreign country.”
The action was triggered by Section 1709 of the FY25 NDAA, which mandated a security review of major foreign drone manufacturers by December 23, 2025. Because no federal agency cleared these companies by the deadline, they were automatically processed for inclusion on the Covered List. Furthermore, an Executive Branch interagency review concluded that foreign-made UAS present risks regarding unauthorized surveillance and sensitive data exfiltration.
The ruling does allow for specific exceptions. According to the source material, exemptions may be granted if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of War determines that a specific drone model does not pose a security risk. This suggests a potential pathway for allied nations to secure waivers, though the process remains undefined.
For the commercial drone industry, which relies heavily on DJI hardware, the implications are immediate but nuanced. The ruling creates a distinct separation between existing fleets and future technology. Crucially, the ban is not retroactive. Operators currently flying DJI Mavic 3, Mini 4, or Matrice series drones may continue to do so legally. Retailers are also permitted to sell existing inventory and models that received FCC authorization prior to the December 22 ruling. The restriction applies strictly to new models seeking FCC certification after this date.
While current drones can fly, maintaining them may become difficult. The ban extends to “critical components,” including flight controllers and data transmission devices. Industry analysis suggests this could complicate the supply chain for repair parts, potentially forcing operators to retire fleets earlier than planned as components become scarce.
The decision has elicited strong reactions from both US officials and the affected manufacturers.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr supported the move, framing it as a necessary defense measure. In a statement regarding the decision, Carr emphasized the threat landscape:
“Criminals, terrorists, and hostile foreign actors have intensified their weaponization of these technologies, creating new and serious threats to our homeland.”
, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr (Source: FCC Public Notice)
DJI expressed disappointment with the ruling, arguing that they were caught in a broad regulatory sweep without specific evidence of wrongdoing. A spokesperson for the company stated:
“No information has been released regarding what information was used by the Executive Branch in reaching its determination.”
, DJI Spokesperson (Source: Web Search Summary)
Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the action, describing it as an “overly broad interpretation of national security” that violates fair trade principles. The Cost of Sovereignty: This ruling appears to be a case of industrial policy intersecting with national defense. While the security concerns regarding data leakage are well-documented, the “all foreign” scope of the ban creates an immediate supply shock. DJI currently holds an estimated 70-80% of the US commercial market. Domestic alternatives, such as Skydio or Brinc, are frequently cited by operators as being significantly more expensive, often 3 to 5 times the cost, while sometimes lacking the manufacturing scale to immediately fill the void.
We anticipate a chaotic transition period for sectors like agriculture and public safety, which operate on tight budgets and rely on affordable foreign hardware. The “Department of War” terminology referenced in recent communications signals a hardening of US military posture, suggesting that economic friction in the drone sector is now viewed entirely through a lens of combat readiness.
Can I still fly my DJI drone? Can I buy a new DJI drone today? Will this affect drone repairs? Does this ban apply to drones from allied countries? Sources: Reuters, Federal Communications Commission
FCC Adds DJI and All Foreign Drones to “Covered List,” Blocking New Authorizations
The Scope of the Restriction
Legal Basis and Timeline
Exceptions for Defense
Impact on Operators and the Market
Existing Fleets Remain Legal
Supply Chain and Repairs
Official Responses
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The ruling does not affect drones currently owned or operated. Existing FCC authorizations remain valid.
Yes, provided the model was authorized by the FCC before December 22, 2025. Retailers can sell through existing stock of certified models.
Likely yes. Because “critical components” are also on the Covered List, importing replacement parts for foreign drones may become legally difficult, potentially leading to a gray market for repairs.
Technically, yes. The ruling covers “all foreign-made” drones. However, manufacturers from allied nations may seek exemptions through the DoD or DHS.
Photo Credit: Jacek Halicki
UAV & Drones
Airbus Secures €30 Million EMSA Contract for Flexrotor Maritime Surveillance
Airbus won a €30M EMSA contract for Flexrotor drone maritime surveillance starting 2026, operated by Extensee across Europe.
This article is based on an official press release from Airbus and verified market data regarding the contract award.
Airbus Helicopters has been awarded a significant framework contract by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to provide maritime surveillance services using the Flexrotor Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS). Announced on December 17, 2025, the agreement marks the first operational deployment of the Flexrotor in Europe following Airbus’s strategic acquisition of the drone’s developer, Aerovel, in 2024.
According to financial details released alongside the announcement, the framework contract is valued at €30 million (approximately $31.5 million USD). The deal establishes Airbus as a prime contractor for EMSA’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) services, tasked with supporting national authorities across EU Member States, Iceland, and Norway.
The operations, scheduled to begin in 2026, will be executed by the French drone services provider Extensee. This partnership aims to enhance maritime situational awareness through missions ranging from environmental protection to coast guard functions.
The agreement outlines a multi-year commitment to strengthening European maritime security. According to the contract terms, the initial duration is set for two years, with options for two additional one-year extensions, bringing the total potential duration to four years.
Under this framework, Airbus will provide a turnkey solution for maritime surveillance. While Airbus Helicopters serves as the prime contractor, the actual flight operations will be conducted by Extensee. Based in France, Extensee specializes in complex drone operations and regulatory compliance, acting as the operator on the ground, or at sea, for these missions.
The data collected by the Flexrotor drones will be streamed live to the EMSA RPAS Data Centre. This integration allows for real-time decision-making during critical operations, including:
The selection of the Flexrotor highlights a shift toward versatile, small-footprint tactical drones. Originally developed by Aerovel and now part of the Airbus portfolio, the Flexrotor is a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.
According to technical specifications provided by Airbus, the drone features a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 25 kg (55 lbs). Its VTOL capability eliminates the need for a runway or heavy launch and recovery equipment, allowing it to operate from a compact footprint of just 3.7m by 3.7m (12ft by 12ft). This capability is critical for EMSA, as it enables deployment from smaller patrol vessels that lack the flight decks required for larger rotary-wing drones like the Schiebel Camcopter S-100. “The Flexrotor combines the vertical lift of a helicopter with the endurance and range of a fixed-wing aircraft.”
, Airbus Technical Description
While the standard configuration of the Flexrotor offers 12 to 14 hours of endurance, the specific configuration for EMSA missions will provide up to 10 hours of flight time. This reduction is due to the integration of specialized sensor payloads, including Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) cameras and maritime radar, required for comprehensive day and night surveillance.
This contract represents a pivotal moment for Airbus’s tactical UAS strategy. By securing a €30 million commitment from a major institutional client like EMSA, Airbus has validated its 2024 acquisition of Aerovel. The deal demonstrates the company’s ability to successfully market US-developed technology to European agencies, bridging the gap between acquisition and operational fielding.
Furthermore, the inclusion of the Flexrotor diversifies EMSA’s existing fleet. The agency has historically relied on heavier assets, such as the 200kg Schiebel Camcopter S-100 and the UMS Skeldar V-200. The Flexrotor fills a specific logistical niche: providing long-endurance surveillance (10+ hours) from vessels too small to host the larger rotary-wing options. This “capability gap filler” enhances the flexibility of European maritime authorities, allowing for broader coverage without necessitating larger naval assets.
Who is the primary operator of the drones? What is the value of the contract? When will operations begin? Is the Flexrotor a European drone? Sources:
Airbus Secures €30 Million EMSA Contract for Flexrotor Maritime Surveillance
Contract Scope and Operational Structure
Technical Capabilities: The Flexrotor Advantage
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
While Airbus Helicopters is the prime contractor holding the deal with EMSA, the physical operations will be conducted by Extensee, a French specialized drone operator.
The framework contract is valued at €30 million ($31.5 million USD).
Service deployment is scheduled to start in 2026.
The Flexrotor was originally developed by the US company Aerovel. However, Airbus acquired Aerovel in 2024, and this contract utilizes a European supply chain for operations (Airbus and Extensee), aligning with EU goals for strategic autonomy.
Airbus Press Release,
MarketScreener (Contract Value Data)
Photo Credit: Airbus
UAV & Drones
PowerLight and Kraus Hamdani Develop Laser-Charged Drones for Infinite Flight
PowerLight Technologies and Kraus Hamdani Aerospace advance laser power beaming to wirelessly charge drones, targeting indefinite flight endurance by 2026.
This article is based on an official press release from PowerLight Technologies.
In a significant development for unmanned aerial systems (UAS), PowerLight Technologies announced on December 16, 2025, that it has successfully completed subsystem testing for a new laser power beaming system. Developed under the PTROL-UAS (Power TRansmitted Over Laser to UAS) program and sponsored by United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the technology is designed to wirelessly charge drones while they remain airborne.
According to the company’s announcement, the system is now transitioning from component development to full system integration. The next phase involves flight testing scheduled for early 2026, utilizing the Kraus Hamdani Aerospace K1000ULE (Ultra Long Endurance) drone as the primary test platform. The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to achieve “infinite flight” capabilities, effectively removing the endurance limitations imposed by traditional onboard battery capacity.
The core of the announcement centers on PowerLight’s proprietary power beaming technology, which functions as a “wireless power line” through the air. The system comprises two primary hardware elements, a ground-based transmitter and an airborne receiver.
The press release details that the ground transmitter is a mobile, autonomous unit capable of delivering kilowatt-class power over distances spanning kilometers. It utilizes active optical tracking to maintain a precise lock on the moving drone. To ensure safety in mixed-use airspace, the system features a multi-layer safety architecture that instantly shuts off the beam if the lock is lost or an obstruction is detected. The company states that the technology has been validated for transmission to altitudes up to 5,000 feet.
On the receiving end, the drone is equipped with a lightweight module weighing approximately six pounds. This receiver utilizes specialized laser power converters to transform the invisible laser light back into electricity, recharging the drone’s batteries during flight. Additionally, the system includes an embedded control module that handles real-time telemetry and a bi-directional optical data link.
“This is much more than point-to-point power transfer… We are building an intelligent mesh energy network capability. Our transmitter communicates with the UAS, tracks its velocity and vector, and delivers energy exactly where it’s needed.”
, Tom Nugent, CTO of PowerLight Technologies
To demonstrate the system’s viability, PowerLight has partnered with Kraus Hamdani Aerospace. The K1000ULE is a fully autonomous, solar-electric UAS already utilized by the US Navy and Army for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. While the K1000ULE already boasts significant endurance, capable of flying for over 24 hours continuously on solar and battery power, the addition of laser charging aims to extend this indefinitely. Fatema Hamdani, CEO of Kraus Hamdani Aerospace, emphasized the strategic advantage of this integration in the company statement:
“A platform that doesn’t need to land to refuel or recharge is one that never blinks. Integrating PowerLight’s laser power beaming adds a new level of persistence, reshaping the operational reality of theater-wide missions.”
The “battery problem” remains a primary logistical hurdle for electric military drones, which typically require frequent landings to swap batteries or recharge. This creates coverage gaps in surveillance and increases the logistical footprint required to support drone operations. By enabling mid-air recharging, the PTROL-UAS program aims to close these gaps, allowing for persistent “eyes in the sky” and continuous communication relays in contested environments.
While high-energy lasers in defense are frequently associated with counter-UAS (C-UAS) weapons designed to destroy targets, PowerLight’s application represents a distinct divergence in directed energy strategy. Rather than delivering destructive heat, these systems must deliver stable, continuous energy transfer without damaging the receiving airframe. If successful, this technology could fundamentally alter military logistics. By reducing the need for forward-deployed fuel and battery stockpiles, commanders could maintain persistent aerial coverage with a significantly smaller logistical tail. Furthermore, the concept aligns with broader defense initiatives like DARPA’s POWER program, which envisions a high-altitude “energy web” where aircraft beam power to one another, effectively turning drones into flying energy relays.
Following the successful subsystem testing reported in December 2025, the program is moving immediately into the integration phase. PowerLight Technologies has confirmed that fully integrated flight testing is slated to begin in early 2026. These tests will attempt to demonstrate the system’s ability to keep a K1000ULE airborne and charged solely via the ground-based laser transmitter, validating the concept of indefinite endurance.
PowerLight Technologies and Kraus Hamdani Target “Infinite Flight” with Laser-Charged Drones
Wireless Power at Altitude
The K1000ULE Integration
Strategic Implications and Future Testing
AirPro News Analysis
Next Steps
Sources
Photo Credit: PowerLight Technologies
UAV & Drones
SwissDrones Sells First SDO 50 V3 Unmanned Helicopter in Japan
SwissDrones delivers first SDO 50 V3 turbine drone to Sanwa Gikou in Japan for industrial inspections and disaster logistics.
This article is based on an official press release from SwissDrones.
SwissDrones, a manufacturer of long-range unmanned helicopters systems, has announced a significant expansion into the Asia-Pacific market with the first sale of its SDO 50 V3 aircraft in Japan. The launch customer, Sanwa Gikou Co., Ltd., a specialized civil engineering firm based in Kitakyushu, intends to utilize the heavy-lift drone for industrial inspections, disaster response, and logistics across the Kyushu, Yamaguchi, and West Shikoku regions.
According to the company’s announcement, the transaction was facilitated by HIEN Aero Technologies, the strategic partner and distributor for SwissDrones in Japan. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for Sanwa Gikou as it establishes a new “Large Drone Business” division, aiming to leverage autonomous aviation to address regional labor shortages and infrastructure maintenance challenges.
Sanwa Gikou, traditionally known for pipe rehabilitation and specialized industrial coatings, is diversifying its operations to include advanced aerial capabilities. The company plans to deploy the SDO 50 V3 for a variety of critical missions, including aerial surveillance, search and rescue (SAR), and the inspection of vital assets such as pipelines and bridges.
In a statement regarding the acquisition, Sanwa Gikou leadership emphasized the potential for integrating air and land logistics.
“The SDO 50 V3 provides new opportunities to strengthen regional public services… and explore innovative air–land integrated models.”
Isao Umebayashi, President of Sanwa Gikou Co., Ltd.
The deployment is closely tied to the “Regional Collaboration & Future Hybrid Logistics Council,” an initiative aiming to create a resilient supply chain network. By combining ground transport with high-capacity drones, the council hopes to ensure the delivery of essential supplies to isolated villages and mountainous areas, particularly during natural disasters when roads may be impassable.
The SDO 50 V3 distinguishes itself from common battery-powered quadcopters through its turbine-based propulsion and intermeshing twin-rotor design (Flettner system). Designed for heavy industrial use, the aircraft runs on Jet A1 fuel, allowing for rapid refueling and extended operational uptime compared to battery-dependent systems. According to technical specifications released by SwissDrones, the SDO 50 V3 offers the following capabilities:
HIEN Aero Technologies will oversee the importation, pilot training, and ongoing technical support for the aircraft, ensuring compliance with Japanese aviation standards.
The timing of this acquisition aligns with broader socio-economic shifts in Japan, specifically the “2024 Problem”, a term referring to the critical labor shortages in logistics and construction due to an aging population and stricter overtime regulations. The Japanese government has responded by updating the Civil Aeronautics Act to allow “Level 4” autonomy, which permits fully autonomous flights beyond visual line of sight over populated areas.
This regulatory framework is essential for the commercial viability of long-range drones like the SDO 50 V3. By automating inspections and emergency transport, companies like Sanwa Gikou aim to maintain infrastructure integrity and public safety with fewer human personnel.
The Turbine Advantage in Complex Terrain
While battery-electric VTOLs (eVTOLs) often dominate the headlines, the sale of the turbine-powered SDO 50 V3 highlights a persistent gap in the market: energy density. For missions in Japan’s Kyushu and Shikoku regions, characterized by steep mountains, heavy winds, and scattered islands, battery technology often struggles to provide the necessary range and payload endurance.
We assess that the choice of a turbine helicopter is a pragmatic decision for Sanwa Gikou. The ability to refuel in minutes rather than recharge for hours is a decisive factor for disaster relief scenarios where every minute counts. Furthermore, the Flettner rotor design provides superior stability in high winds compared to traditional tail-rotor helicopters or multi-copters, making it uniquely suited for Japan’s coastal environments. This deal suggests that despite the push for electrification, liquid-fuel systems remain the superior choice for heavy-duty, long-endurance industrial aviation in the near term.
What is the primary use for the SDO 50 V3 in Japan? Who is the manufacturer of the drone? What makes this drone different from standard battery drones?
SwissDrones Secures First Japanese Buyer for SDO 50 V3 Unmanned Helicopter
Strategic Deployment for Civil Engineering and Safety
Technical Capabilities: The SDO 50 V3
Key Performance Metrics
Market Context: Japan’s “2024 Problem”
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Sanwa Gikou will use the aircraft for infrastructure inspection, disaster response, search and rescue, and emergency logistics in the Kyushu and Yamaguchi regions.
The drone is manufactured by SwissDrones, a company based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializing in unmanned helicopter systems.
The SDO 50 V3 is powered by a turbine engine using jet fuel, which allows it to carry heavier loads (40kg+) and fly longer (3+ hours) than most battery-powered equivalents.
Sources
Photo Credit: SwissDrones
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