China

Export controls, the Shenzhen supply chain, and the geopolitics of the world’s drone-manufacturing superpower.

593

Articles

Beats covered

Reporters on beat

Nov 11

Last updated

Close-up of the black DJI Osmo Pocket 4P gimbal head, its 3x telephoto lens beside a second lens marked 1-inch, against a dark background

FCC Filing

China Vows More Countermeasures as FCC Cuts Off Chinese Test Labs

China opposes the FCC vote ending recognition of mainland test labs from December 2028, says the US stalled talks, and threatens further countermeasures.

Haye KestelooOct 30

DJI Matrice 5TD drone seen from below in flight beside a steel transmission tower against a blue sky

EXPLAINER

DJI's 1280 Thermal Drones Skip the US. Economists Saw This Coming

DJI's Matrice 5TD and a November 5 folding thermal drone can't be sold in the US. Research says the ban removes US drone makers' reason to improve.

Haye KestelooOct 30

A small FPV quadcopter hovers in front of a red course flag while two Chinese soldiers in camouflage and FPV goggles hold controllers on a grass field

China

China's 48-Volt Drone Motor Rule Is Narrow. Its Propeller Rule Is Not

Spec sheets show China's drone motor test misses Hobbywing and T-Motor's flagships, its propeller test catches 62-inch blades, and 'rated' is undefined.

Haye KestelooOct 26

Black Upgrade Energy Dark Lithium Red Series drone battery pack with a red arrow label reading Manufactured in the USA, with red and black power leads and a balance connector, on a white background

Industry

Unusual Machines' New Battery Unit May Use Cells From China's Tenpower

Unusual Machines closed its Upgrade Energy deal, worth up to $52M, on Oct. 19. Upgrade's store says some packs may use cells from China-based Tenpower.

Haye KestelooOct 26

A blue dragon with spread wings and lightning breath formed by thousands of drone lights over a dark Texas field at night

United States

Sky Elements Flies 10,183-Drone Dragon, Lands Two Guinness Records

Sky Elements and Damoda America set two Guinness World Records in Texas: a 10,183-drone dragon and 71,207 drones launched in a week, on Chinese hardware.

Haye KestelooOct 26

COVERED LIST

FCC Catches Huawei Surveillance Chips in Its First Parts Ban Case

The FCC blocked a dash cam and a wireless video transmitter over HiSilicon chips, the first case under the rule that also bars DJI boards from new drones.

Haye KestelooOct 22

Gray DJI Agras T100 agricultural drone seen from the front against a black background, with folded spray tank, carbon-fiber arms and large motors at each arm tip

China

China Puts Big Drone Motors and Props on Its Export License List

From Nov. 18, China requires export licenses for 48-volt heavy-lift drone motors, ESCs and big carbon props, and US buyers get no fast lane.

Haye KestelooOct 19

Chinese soldier in camouflage holding a gray DJI Mavic 3 drone with a green grenade mounted under its body

China

China Reads Ukraine's Drone War in 4 Months and Shops DJI, CSIS Finds

A CSIS study of 90 Chinese military sources finds the PLA studies Ukraine's drone tactics within four months, trains a year later, and tenders for DJI.

Haye KestelooOct 19

China

The drone industry moves fast. Stay ahead of it.