FCC moves to ban LiDAR-equipped foreign drones from US — classifies the technology as "military-grade" in a proposal that could also hit thermal models and the swarms used in drone light shows

Global Business Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:58:58 GMT Moderate confidence — 64/100

(Image credit: DJI) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is moving to ban drones with LiDAR obstacle-avoidance features, a move that would remove a number of popular consumer drones from US shelves.
The proposal builds on a ban the FCC set in motion late last year.

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(Image credit: DJI) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is moving to ban drones with LiDAR obstacle-avoidance features, a move that would remove a number of popular consumer drones from US shelves.
The proposal builds on a ban the FCC set in motion late last year.

Sources: Tomshardware