FCC drone ban proposal targets LiDAR and thermal drones Business news | August 11, 2026 By Brian Tristam WilliamsThe US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering extending its restrictions on foreign-made uncrewed aircraft systems to previously authorised drones with capabilities it classifies as military-grade, including LiDAR and thermal imaging. The proposed FCC drone ban would stop the continued importation and marketing of affected equipment on the agency’s Covered List, while allowing owners to keep using drones they have already bought. FCC drone ban reaches civilian technologiesIn a request for comment, the FCC defines seven categories of UAS and critical components as military-grade. That action prevented new covered models from obtaining FCC equipment authorisation, but it did not stop the sale of models that had already been authorised. DJI disputes the FCC drone ban definitionDJI, whose products are among those potentially affected, argues that the FCC has drawn the military-grade category too broadly.