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 latest announcement of an upcoming FCC vote that might prohibit the sale or operation of technological gear 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 section out licenses for brand spanking new drone expertise from corporations like DJI and Autel Robotics, the previous of which constantly evades oversight by reincorporating with new shell corporations. 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:

Expensive Chairman Carr:

At the start, I want to commend you on 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 gear on the FCC’s Lined Record. This initiative represents an vital 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 corresponding to DJI and Autel Robotics (together with their subsidiaries, associates, and companions) and create a statutory framework for extra aggressive scrutiny of foreign-controlled gear 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 may assist operationalize my efforts in Part 1709 by offering a regulatory path to revoke authorizations for gear 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 rules by constantly reestablishing underneath completely different shell corporations or subsidiaries to keep away from detection. Latest tales highlighting the newest of DJI’s efforts to ascertain shell corporations additional underscore the need for the approaching FCC order. In a single purported case, DJI logos have been present in FCC documentation for a days-old firm named Lyno Dynamics, LLC. Such ways clearly undermine each the intent and effectiveness of U.S. regulation.

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 gear authorizations for DJI and Autel Robotics units issued for the reason that enactment of the Fiscal Yr 2025 Nationwide Protection Authorization Act, together with any accredited 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 potential, in FCC filings to stop shell corporations from concealing final possession or management.

Lastly, I want to thanks on your excellent management in defending our nation’s capability to construct up a sturdy home drone trade. For years, I’ve labored to scale back america’ dependence on overseas suppliers, particularly Communist China, for vital drone applied sciences. Our work to deal with this won’t solely strengthen nationwide safety but in addition bolster American trade, create high-quality jobs, and be sure that future generations of drones are designed and constructed based on trusted requirements. We will reclaim our management within the world drone market, and this new proposed order might be an integral a part of that effort.

Thanks on 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 recognize a response by COB October 27, 2025.

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