FCC Proposes Ban on Foreign Drones With LiDAR, Thermal Tech

The Federal Communications Commission is proposing to retroactively ban the sale of previously approved foreign-made drones equipped with specific capabilities it classifies as military-grade, a significant escalation of its ongoing restrictions targeting Chinese manufacturer DJI and others. The proposal, outlined in a public notice published in the Federal Register on August 3, 2026, would expand the agency's existing ban to cover drones with features such as LiDAR sensors, thermal imaging, aerosol dispensing systems, and coordinated swarm technology.

The move builds directly on the FCC's December 22, 2025, decision to add all foreign-made drones and their critical components to its Covered List of communications equipment deemed a national security risk. That initial action blocked new foreign drone models from receiving the FCC authorization required for U.S. sales, but allowed models already cleared for sale to remain on the market. The new proposal seeks to close that gap for drones it deems to have military-grade capabilities.

Under the proposed rules, seven categories of drones would face a prohibition on future imports, marketing, and sales. These include drones weighing...