The clock is ticking for American drone users who want their voices heard in one of the biggest drone policy battles the US has ever seen.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently accepting public comments on Chinese drone giant DJI’s appeal against its inclusion on the agency’s “Covered List” — a move that effectively blocks new DJI products from entering the US market. The deadline for comments is May 11, and the case has quickly turned into a defining moment for the future of consumer and commercial drones in America.
At stake is far more than whether Americans can buy the next DJI drone. The broader debate now touches public safety, farming, infrastructure inspections, emergency response, photography, and America’s ability to stay competitive in drone technology.
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And while Washington continues framing the issue around national security concerns, thousands of drone users argue the restrictions are already creating real-world consequences.
Why DJI ended up on the FCC’s Covered List
The current fight traces back to December 2025, when the FCC expanded its Covered List to include all foreign-made drones and critical drone components.
For those unfamiliar with telecom regulation, the FCC Covered List is essentially a blacklist of communications equipment considered to pose national security risks. Once products land there, obtaining FCC authorization becomes nearly impossible. And without FCC authorization, new drone models generally cannot legally be marketed, imported, or sold in the United States.
Existing DJI drones are still legal to own and fly. But the restrictions are already affecting the launch of future products and, according to DJI, even some current imports and accessories.
That’s a huge deal considering DJI dominates much of the US drone market, especially among hobbyists, public safety agencies, photographers, inspectors, farmers, and small businesses.
The company filed a petition for reconsideration with the FCC earlier this year, while simultaneously taking the fight to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. DJI argues the government never provided evidence proving its drones pose a national security threat and claims it was denied due process.
The latest legal twist
This week, the legal battle escalated again. The US government told the Ninth Circuit Court that DJI’s appeal should be dismissed because the company is trying to challenge an action that is not yet considered “final” under administrative law. According to the filing, DJI first needs the full FCC Commission — not just bureau staff — to complete its review process. The government described DJI’s petition as “incurably premature.”
DJI, however, strongly disagrees. The company previously argued that the FCC’s action already has immediate consequences because it effectively blocks new DJI products from entering the US market right now, without waiting for additional agency action.
More: 25 new DJI launches blocked by FCC, $1.5 billion at stake
That disagreement over whether the FCC action is “final” could become critically important in determining whether courts will even hear the broader constitutional and procedural arguments DJI wants to make.
Meanwhile, the FCC’s separate reconsideration process remains active, and that’s where public comments now come into play.
Why May 11 matters
The FCC is currently reviewing whether it should reconsider DJI’s inclusion on the Covered List. As part of that process, the agency opened a public comment period that runs through Monday, May 11. DJI and advocacy groups are now urging American drone users to participate before the window closes.
The Drone Advocacy Alliance has been actively encouraging drone operators, public safety officials, farmers, creators, and businesses to explain how the restrictions could affect their work and communities. Their message is simple: you do not need to be a policy expert to comment. You just need to explain how drones impact your life.
The organization argues the FCC decision could lock Americans out of “the next generation of industry-leading drones,” including future advances in emergency response, agriculture, inspection technology, and creative tools.
The group also warns that countries like Canada and Mexico will continue getting access to newer drone technologies while US users fall behind.
Click here if you want to send a quick, text-only comment. If you plan to submit an attachment, such as a PDF, document, or other evidence, go to: fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/standard.
Pentagon pushes back hard
But while DJI supporters are ramping up pressure, the company is also facing strong opposition from national security agencies. A recent Pentagon memo submitted to the FCC urges the agency to reject DJI’s petition entirely. The Department of Defense argues that certain foreign-made drone systems pose “unacceptable risk” to US national security and says classified intelligence supports those concerns.
The memo reinforces the government’s broader position that foreign drone technology could expose sensitive data or create supply chain vulnerabilities. Importantly, much of the evidence cited by the Pentagon remains classified, which has become one of DJI’s biggest frustrations throughout this process.
DJI argues it has repeatedly asked for the opportunity to address security concerns directly, but says it has never been shown concrete evidence proving its products are dangerous.
Supporters of the restrictions, meanwhile, say Congress and federal agencies have spent years evaluating Chinese drone technology and believe the national security risks are legitimate.
DJI drone users are flooding the FCC with comments
One of the most interesting parts of this case is the flood of public comments now appearing in the FCC docket. And they reveal just how deeply DJI drones are embedded into everyday American operations.
Retired airline pilot and FAA Part 107 license holder Ralph Bendjebar told the FCC that banning future DJI products would “set back the commercial drone industry by leagues and bounds.”
He argued that DJI drones remain far ahead of competitors in aerial photography and videography, while also helping industries ranging from agriculture to powerline inspections and emergency response. “Reverse this decision!” Bendjebar wrote.
Meanwhile, Backwoods Drone Search & Rescue operator Pero Radulovic described how thermal drones help locate lost pets and assist with missing-person searches during critical emergencies. “Without access to reliable, industry-leading drone equipment, search efforts would be slower, less efficient, and potentially less successful,” he told regulators.
Another commenter, James Schmalbach, explained that he uses his personal DJI drone for hurricane-related search and rescue efforts as part of his local Community Emergency Response Team. “There are currently no US-made drones that have the same capabilities as the DJI that is affordable to the average citizen,” he wrote.
Professional photographer Barry Schwartz also submitted comments defending DJI products, especially the company’s Ronin stabilizers and drone lineup. “Security issues regarding these products remain totally unproved,” he argued.
And perhaps most strikingly, California farmer Dean Porter detailed how drones have become part of everyday farm management — from spotting irrigation issues and crop damage to monitoring trespassers and wild pigs safely from the air. “My drone has become an integral part of my farming operation,” Porter wrote.
More: DJI agri drones boom globally, US farmers left behind
Taken together, the comments paint a picture regulators may find difficult to ignore: for many Americans, drones are no longer gadgets. They are essential tools.
DJI says billions are at stake
DJI has also started emphasizing the financial consequences of the restrictions more aggressively. In a recent filing, the company reportedly warned that it could lose roughly $1.5 billion in US sales in 2026 due to blocked launches and authorization issues. DJI says 25 planned product launches could be affected. That includes not just drones, but cameras, stabilizers, and related equipment.
The FCC restrictions already appear to be reshaping the broader drone market as well. Some non-Chinese drone manufacturers have received temporary exemptions or conditional approvals, while others are rushing to position themselves as “secure” alternatives.
But many operators argue that there still are not affordable US-made alternatives that match DJI’s technology, software ecosystem, reliability, and pricing. That’s especially true for small businesses and volunteer emergency organizations operating on tight budgets.
What happens next?
The immediate next step is the May 11 public comment deadline. After reviewing comments and filings, the FCC will decide whether to reconsider DJI’s Covered List designation. At the same time, the Ninth Circuit court fight over jurisdiction and procedural issues continues moving forward. This means the legal and regulatory battle could drag on for months, or possibly years.
But the outcome could reshape the entire US drone industry. If the FCC maintains its current position, Americans may continue losing access to future DJI products while the rest of the world moves ahead with newer drone technologies. If DJI succeeds, it could force regulators to provide stronger evidence and clearer legal justification before restricting drone manufacturers under national security frameworks.
Either way, the stakes are enormous.
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