Sen. Rick Scott Urges FCC to Crack Down on Communist Chinese language Drone Corporations Evading U.S. Scrutiny – sUAS Information

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Senator Rick Scott has despatched a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Fee (FCC) Brendan Carr applauding his current announcement of an upcoming FCC vote that might prohibit the sale or operation of technological tools from adversarial nations like Communist China. Senator Scott has been working for years to get drones manufactured in Communist China out of our nation, navy, and authorities as a result of dangers they pose to our nationwide safety, and fought efficiently to incorporate an modification within the FY 2025 NDAA that works to part out licenses for brand spanking new drone expertise from firms like DJI and Autel Robotics, the previous of which constantly evades oversight by reincorporating with new shell firms. Within the letter, Senator Scott urges the fee to take swift and decisive motion to implement this provision and take motion in opposition to Chinese language drone producers that proceed to pose a risk to America’s nationwide safety.

Learn the letter to Chairman Brendan Carr beneath:

Pricey Chairman Carr:

Firstly, I want to commend you in your October 6 announcement concerning the Federal Communications Fee (FCC)’s forthcoming vote on a brand new order to ban the import or sale of beforehand licensed tools on the FCC’s Coated Checklist. This initiative represents an necessary step towards strengthening our nation’s provide chain safety and shutting regulatory gaps that might in any other case allow the continued entry of high-risk adversarial expertise into U.S. markets.

As a part of the FY 2025 Nationwide Protection Authorization Act, I fought to incorporate a provision (Part 1709) to require a congressional-mandated investigation into Chinese language drone producers reminiscent of DJI and Autel Robotics (together with their subsidiaries, associates, and companions) and create a statutory framework for extra aggressive scrutiny of foreign-controlled tools that might threaten U.S. nationwide safety. I’ve been working to get this harmful expertise out of our navy and authorities for years, and the FCC’s forthcoming order might assist operationalize my efforts in Part 1709 by offering a regulatory path to revoke authorizations for tools posing unacceptable safety dangers.

Now we have seen a constant sample from DJI and different Chinese language-manufactured companies of evading U.S. legal guidelines and laws by constantly reestablishing underneath completely different shell firms or subsidiaries to keep away from detection. Latest tales highlighting the most recent of DJI’s efforts to ascertain shell firms additional underscore the need for the approaching FCC order. In a single purported case, DJI logos had been present in FCC documentation for a days-old firm named Lyno Dynamics, LLC. Such techniques clearly undermine each the intent and effectiveness of U.S. legislation.

Accordingly, I respectfully urge the fee to:

1. Train any obtainable authority underneath the brand new order to rescind, at a naked minimal, all present tools authorizations for DJI and Autel Robotics units issued for the reason that enactment of the Fiscal 12 months 2025 Nationwide Protection Authorization Act, together with any authorised underneath proxy entities;
2. Deny any licenses to units that make the most of components3, software program, or subsystems sourced from DJI, Autel, or its subsidiaries; and
3. Strengthen company disclosure necessities, as doable, in FCC filings to forestall shell firms from concealing final possession or management.

Lastly, I want to thanks in your excellent management in defending our nation’s capability to construct up a strong home drone business. For years, I’ve labored to cut back the US’ dependence on international suppliers, particularly Communist China, for vital drone applied sciences. Our work to handle this is not going to solely strengthen nationwide safety but additionally bolster American business, create high-quality jobs, and be sure that future generations of drones are designed and constructed in response to trusted requirements. We are able to reclaim our management within the world drone market, and this new proposed order might be an integral a part of that effort.

Thanks in your consideration of my requests and your continued management in defending America’s communications networks and advancing our financial and nationwide safety pursuits. I’m right here to assist your efforts and would admire a response by COB October 27, 2025.

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