FCC Bans DJI, Autel Chips in New US Drones by Oct. 13

Starting October 13, 2026, no drone designed and assembled in the United States can receive new FCC equipment authorization if it contains a logic-bearing component made by DJI, Autel Robotics, or another entity on the FCC's Covered List. The rule, adopted in July 2026 and published in the Federal Register on September 11, closes a loophole that let American-branded drones keep using Chinese-made flight controllers, radio modules, and camera boards even after DJI and Autel themselves were barred from new authorizations in December 2025.

Background: From a Brand Ban to a Component Ban

The FCC placed DJI and Autel on its Covered List on December 22, 2025, blocking new equipment authorizations for drones sold under those brands. But American manufacturers could still buy DJI- or Autel-made flight controllers, radio links, and gimbal boards, embed them in a US-branded airframe, and get that finished product authorized — because the drone, not the component, carried the brand name.

The FCC's Third Report and Order (FCC 26-50, in ET Docket No. 21-232) closes that gap. It extends the Covered List restriction down to the component level: any hardware from a listed entity that handles data or radio signals now disqualifies the finished aircraft, regardless of whose logo is on the shell. DJI is currently suing the FCC over the underlying Covered List designation in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, but that litigation has not paused this or any other rule built on top of it.

What Counts as a "Logic-Bearing Component"

The rule's text defines a logic-bearing component as "any module, sub-assembly, integrated circuit, or other physical part that generates and uses timing signals above 9,000 cycles per second and uses digital techniques, or that uses radio frequency energy to compute, store, or move data."

In practice, that covers:

A drone can still use a DJI-made propeller or plastic housing after October 13 — but a US-assembled aircraft with a DJI or Autel flight controller or radio module inside cannot receive a new FCC authorization.

Who Is Affected and Who Is Grandfathered

The rule does not touch equipment already authorized before October 13, 2026 — drones already on the market, in inventory, or in the field keep their existing authorization and remain legal to fly and sell. American manufacturers with applications already pending before that date are grandfathered through the deadline; anything filed on or after October 13 must certify it contains no Covered List logic-bearing components.

The practical target is the cottage industry of US-branded drones that sourced flight controllers and radio boards from DJI or Autel suppliers to hit lower price points. Those companies now have roughly three weeks from the rule's Federal Register publication to either requalify with non-Covered-List hardware or stop filing new applications altogether.

What This Means for Drone Pilots

For pilots flying an already-purchased DJI or Autel drone, nothing changes on October 13 — the rule targets new equipment authorizations, not existing airframes, and there is still no FAA grounding order or remote-disablement mandate tied to any Covered List action. The practical effect falls on manufacturers and buyers of new US-assembled models: expect fewer budget options from smaller American brands that previously relied on Chinese-made internals, and expect any new "Made in USA" drone launched after this date to cost more, since qualifying non-Covered-List flight controllers and radio modules are a smaller, pricier supply pool.

Pilots shopping for a new drone this fall should check whether a US-branded model's FCC authorization predates October 13, 2026 — a pre-existing authorization is unaffected regardless of what's inside. For the wider legal picture, including the pending Ninth Circuit case and the import restrictions already in force, see our breakdown of whether DJI is banned in the US and the current state of US drone laws.

Sources: DroneXL — FCC Bars DJI Chips From New US-Built Drones on October 13 | Federal Register, 91 FR 57798